Teaching Artist

Colby College; Waterville (ME); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Colby College is seeking Teaching Artists to facilitate hands-on art activities for schoolchildren and family visitors. This role emphasizes collaboration with the Museum staff to create engaging lessons and inclusive programming, aiming to enhance the educational mission of the Colby College Museum of Art.

Applicants should possess a strong artistic background, effective communication skills, and the ability to develop meaningful art-making experiences for diverse audiences. Responsibilities include lesson planning, community engagement, and administrative tasks.

Qualifications

• Strong artistic background to engage various age groups effectively.
• Proficient with art media and techniques suitable for K-12 students.
• Excellent verbal and written communication to complete documentation.

Responsibilities

• Teach hands-on art lessons and lead art-making activities.
• Develop studio lesson plans aligned with curricular goals.
• Collaborate on community partnership programs.

Skills

Art media techniques

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Professional coursework or post-secondary education

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Google Suite

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Job Summary

Art making is a vital part of the Museum’s educational mission of transforming lives through art. Colby College Museum of Art Teaching Artists report to the Linde Family Foundation Senior Coordinator of School and Teacher Programs, and collaborate on specific programs with other education department staff. Teaching Artists work with the Linde Family Foundation Senior Coordinator of School and Teacher Programs to develop and teach age‑appropriate, curriculum‑based studio art activities for visiting schoolchildren and families. Teaching Artists work closely with the Museum’s staff to support visits by roughly 3,000 Maine school children each academic year. They also work with the Mirken Coordinator of Campus and Community Collaboration to lead campus and community partnership programs for a wide variety of ages, both onsite and at off‑site locations. Teaching Artists play a critical role in creating a dynamic, positive, welcoming, and enriching experience for visitors, in collaboration with museum staff and volunteers.

Essential Functions

• Teach hands‑on art lessons and lead art‑making activities in the Museum’s Mirken Education Center, with the goal of engaging participants in activities that ask them to make connections to their art‑looking (gallery) experience and to think like artists – making choices and developing their art‑making skills and techniques.
• Under the direction of the Linde Family Foundation Senior Coordinator of School and Teacher Programs, develop studio lesson plans that meet curricular goals, incorporate inclusive teaching practices, and advance the museum’s mission.
• Under the direction of the Education and Engagement staff, develop art‑making activities for community partnership programs, both onsite and at off‑site locations, ensuring the projects work for a variety of ages and incorporate inclusive teaching practices. This may include outreach programs, open studio time, co‑curricular activities, and other outreach programs.
• Assist other departments as needed and as assigned.
• Track progress, achievements, and challenges, and share them with museum staff.
• Work cooperatively with fellow Education staff and other museum colleagues to ensure that everyone feels welcome, respected, creative, and energized.
• Prepare and organize materials, including creating studio art material lists in collaboration with museum staff.
• Maintain clean equipment and a tidy studio space, reporting any issues to the education and engagement department.
• Attend regular training sessions.

Position Qualifications

• Education and/or experience: High school diploma or equivalent required; professional coursework or post‑secondary education is a plus.
• A strong artistic background combined with the ability to translate that into effective and engaging lessons for different age groups.
• Proficient with a variety of art media and techniques appropriate for K‑12 students, or a demonstrated willingness to learn.
• Knowledge of and curiosity about artistic traditions and art history.
• Strong oral communication, interpersonal, and public communication skills to interact with all levels of visitors, staff, and trustees.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to complete clear, concise, and accurate reports and other documentation.
• Highly motivated, flexible, and comfortable with all audiences.
• Strong attention to detail and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to handle situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to work independently as well as in a team, exercise judgement, establish priorities, and complete projects with minimal supervision and adapt to new assignments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (e.g. Word, Excel) and Google Suite (e.g., Mail, Calendar, Docs, Sheets, and Slides); proficiency or willingness to learn Airtable, Adobe Creative Suite, EventBrite, SurveyMonkey, Workday, and other Colby College‑specific platforms.

Physical/Mental Demands

The position requires maintaining confidentiality regarding employee data, documents, and privacy. Employees must meet deadlines, often under tight timelines, and interact professionally with visitors who may express strong emotions. Frequent movement within the office and museum spaces, prolonged computer use, lifting up to 10 pounds routinely and occasionally up to 35 pounds, and typical moderate noise levels are expected. Vision requirements include close and distance vision and ability to adjust focus. Mental demands include rapid focus shifts, multitasking, and handling interruptions.