Teaching Assistant

Honolulu Museum of Art; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Shop discounts

Onsite parking provided

Job summary

Honolulu Museum of Art is seeking a part-time Teaching Assistant to support Studio Programs instruction across the Museum School, galleries, and courtyards. The TA will assist with classroom management, monitor Open Studio hours, and may substitute as needed, working with students from pre-K to adults.

The role emphasizes inclusivity, positive interaction, and collaboration with teachers and staff, with flexible hours Wednesday–Friday and weekends.

Qualifications

• Associates degree or current enrollment in a BA in Art Education or related field.
• Undergraduate coursework in fine arts and arts education.
• At least one year of education experience with students.
• Passion for art and its impact on learners.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse populations.
• Flexible scheduling including evenings and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Assist with daily classroom management.
• Support Studio Programs Teacher in lesson delivery.
• Monitor Open Studio sessions.
• Lead classes as substitute teacher when needed.
• Prepare and organize supplies for daily lessons.
• Maintain safe, inclusive classroom environment.

Skills

Education experience

Art education

Classroom management

Communication skills

Scheduling flexibility

Diversity inclusion

Education

Associate degree or current enrollment in BA in Art Education or related field

Undergraduate coursework in fine arts and arts education

Bachelor of Arts or Education Degree

Job description

Job Summary:

Under the general direction of the Studio Programs Assistant Manager, the Teaching Assistant (TA) works under the mentorship of a Studio Programs Teacher to facilitate art instruction that fosters creative expression and nurtures artistic abilities. The TA supports the Studio Programs Teacher with daily classroom management and works with students of all ages at the Honolulu Museum of Art School, museum galleries, and courtyards.

As part of the TA’s growth and development, they may be presented with opportunities to monitor open studio sessions and lead classes as a substitute teacher in an array of visual art disciplines.

This is a part-time temporary position from October 2026 – January 2027.

The Honolulu Museum of Art:

Opened in 1927, the Honolulu Museum of Art is a home for art and education created for the benefit of the entire community. Founder Anna Rice Cooke envisioned a museum that would bring people together through the power of art and “the deep intuitions that are common to all.” The museum was conceived of as a place of meaningful exchange and dialogue, celebrating the diverse artistic and cultural traditions of Hawai‘i’s multi-ethnic population. From this founding intention grew the museum of today, with a world-class encyclopedic collection of more than 55,000 works of art, representing a stunning breadth of places and eras, from all corners of the globe and from the ancient past to the present day.

• Associates Degree or currently enrolled in a Bachelors in Art Education or related field.
• Has completed ungraduated coursework in fine arts, arts education and related fields.
• Must have one year of education experience and enjoy working with students ages pre-K through 12th grade and adults.
• Must have a passion for art and its ability to enhance the lives of students.
• Able to communicate effectively with a diverse population of students and visitors.
• Able to promote and support positive personal interaction with students, teachers, and administrative staff.
• Flexibility in scheduling, including availability Wednesday–Friday between 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. and weekends between 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
• Possess the qualities of honesty, integrity, enthusiasm, perspective, and a strong work ethic supported by commitment and follow-through.
• Ability to work within and support a diverse community of visitors, artists, and employees.

Desired Qualifications

• Has a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art and Design or an Education Degree.
• Experience in a museum environment or nonprofit organization with multiple sites and varying degrees of need.
• Knowledge and skill in a variety of art media, such as drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, ceramics, fiber arts, and/or metal work and jewelry.
• Experience with classroom management and working collaboratively to maintain a well-organized and productive environment.
• Experience working with diverse learners, including English language learners and students with physical and cognitive disabilities.
• Able to take direction or personal initiative on tasks when appropriate.
• Understanding of Honolulu Museum of Art’s established identity and dedication to advancing it.
• Assists in the management and maintenance of a clean and orderly classroom.
• Prepares supplies for daily lessons.
• Organizes and returns supplies to their proper storage locations.
• Assists in implementing the Studio Program Teacher’s lesson plans and maintaining daily classroom schedules.
• Interacts with students to: keep them on task; help answer questions; assist with assignments or difficult concepts; and address small behavioral issues.
• Supervises students and always monitors their safety and well-being.
• Monitors Students and Studio space when scheduled to cover Open-Studio hours.
• Supports students’ social, emotional, and intellectual growth and development.
• Uses a variety of instructional and assessment strategies, as directed by the Studio Programs Teacher, to meet individual student needs.
• Maintains communication with the Studio Programs Teacher regarding the progress of students.
• Upon request, substitutes for absent Studio Programs Teachers, leading students of all ages and facilitating lesson objectives in a variety of art making disciplines.
• Demonstrates a commitment to fostering cultivating, and preserving a culture of inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility through respectful communication and cooperation with others, continuous training, and the modeling of inclusive behaviors.
• In partnership with HR, supports the leadership team in ensuring equitable experiences, strengthening inclusion acumen and promoting a culture of belonging that embraces the contributions of all staff.
• Other duties as assigned.

Compensation:

The Honolulu Museum of Art is committed to practicing salary transparency. The rate for this position is $18.50 per hour. Please note that pay range information is a general guideline only. Many factors are taken into consideration when setting pay, including education, experience, the external labor market, and internal equity.

For TemporaryPT employees, our benefits include:

• Shop, Museum Café, and Art School discounts
• Onsite parking provided

Working Conditions and Atmosphere:

Classes run Wednesday–Friday between 8:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m. and weekends between 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Teaching Assistants are scheduled for 5 – 10 hours per week.

Work takes place in a classroom environment. Ability to lift, carry, push, pull, up to 25 pounds of general office material or equipment. Ability to work some evening and weekend hours.

The employee must be able to fulfill all Essential Duties with or without a reasonable accommodation. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of all activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned, at any time with or without notice.

EEOC Statement:

HoMA is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants.

HoMA recruits, hires, trains, promotes, compensates, and administers all personnel actions and benefit programs without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, including pregnancy and gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, reproductive health decisions, marital status, arrest and court record (except as legally applicable), citizenship, credit history, military and veteran service, victim of domestic violence or sexual abuse victim status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

The statements contained herein describe the scope of the responsibilities and essential functions of this position but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work duties and requirements.

Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other areas to cover absences or relief to equalize peak work periods or otherwise balance the workload.

HoMA maintains a policy of nondiscrimination in all employment practices and decisions, ensuring equal employment opportunities for all qualified individuals.

This applies to both HoMA employees and applicants for employment with the Museum.

Any form of harassment of any employee because of any protected status is prohibited.

HoMA welcomes people from all backgrounds and walks of life, and this is reflected in our diverse community of employees. We encourage applications from candidates across a wide variety of backgrounds, including, but not limited to, people of all races and ethnicities, people with disabilities, women, veterans, and all members of the LGBTQ community.