Hiring

Youth Leadership Initiative Teaching Artist

Reports To: Youth Education Programs Manager

Supervises: N/A

Who We Are Looking For

The ideal candidate is able to support the Lead Teaching Artist in delivering the day-to-day lessons and enjoys working with young people.

Position Description Overview

The Teaching Artist assists during workshop time and with lesson planning, supports classroom management, and attends field trips. This role maintains daily operational tasks for the program.

Key Responsibilities

Classroom Management

- Assist with in-class activities during program times. Facilitate open studio activities and lead warm-up activities as needed.

- Assist with designing learning activities through hands-on developmentally appropriate and highly interactive methods.

- Assist youth with preparing projects or pieces to share at Asian Arts Initiative’s programs and events.

- Assist with the annual craft fair and showcase events. Promote the youth participant’s work to visitors.

- Create and maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for the youth participants.

Chaperone and Pick-up

- Chaperone field trips as needed.

- Pick up students from partner schools in the neighborhood as needed.

Organizing and Inventory

- Lead the organizing, cleaning and maintenance of the Youth Leadership Initiative space.

- Organize the program materials and maintain updated inventory of program supplies.

- Assist with researching and placing orders for program materials.

- Distribute snacks to students. Assist with cleaning up and donating any surplus snacks.

General

- Support the education team with program promotion and distributing fliers as needed.

- Participate in fundraising and reporting where relevant.

- Positive attitude and willing participation in a small team dynamic. Willingness to work outside of main responsibilities and serve as an organizational ambassador as advised by the supervisor.

First Year Success Criteria

- Research and facilitate at least five hands-on activities with the Youth Leadership Initiative youth participants. The majority of the youth participants are actively engaged in the activities throughout the course of the workshop and express interest in doing the activities again in the future.

- The Youth Leadership Initiative space is maintained daily, providing a space that is clean, organized and accessible at all times.

Qualifications

- Relevant teaching experience in a collaborative setting

- Demonstrated experience working with a diverse set of youth from different racial and socioeconomic backgrounds.

- Strong classroom management skills.

- Ability to create and maintain a genuine and meaningful learning community with highschool aged students.

- Commitment to organizational values of social justice and equity.

- PA Criminal Record, FBI Fingerprint, PA Child Abuse Clearance, National Sex Offender Registry Clearance, Mandated Reported Training and Health Assessment required. *Asian Arts Initiative will cover or reimburse the cost of the clearances upon job acceptance.

Preferred Qualifications

- Background in one or more artistic disciplines preferred.

- Relevant teaching experience preferred.

Hours and Compensation

This is a part-time permanent exempt hourly position at 20 hours/week. For approximately 6 weeks starting in July throughout August, the position temporarily increases to 35 hours/week to accommodate summer programming. Evening and weekend hours may be required. The hourly rate is $22.00/hour. Please see the Program Description below for our program hours.

The position is eligible for AAI’s employer-funded medical and dental group plan, unlimited PTO policy and hybrid work model.

How to Apply

Interested candidates are invited to apply by August 16, 2024 to [email protected]

1. A cover letter a) stating where you learned about the opportunity and b) addressing your relevant experience.

2. Resume

3. 3-5 professional references with a variety of relationships to the candidate (direct supervisor, direct report, colleague, external partner, etc.)

Applications will be accepted through August 16, 2024. No phone calls please. Applications missing requested materials or submitted after the deadline may not be considered. 

AAI’s services and employment are provided in a nondiscriminatory manner, without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, ancestry, religious creed, ability and age. Asian Americans are encouraged to apply.

Program Description

Asian Arts Initiative’s Youth Leadership Initiative (YLI) builds off of AAI’s Youth Arts Workshop (YAW), one of AAI’s longest running programs which fulfills the need for affordable, safe, constructive out of school time space for youth. YLI is a direct response to the multitude of students that graduate from YAW who return as volunteers, mentoring younger youth and developing their sense of civic duty and belonging.

YLI aims to empower youth as individuals, artists, and members of their community. YLI will serve high school students (grades 9-12) by providing a next level program to connect art learning with community building tactics, project-based learning, civic engagement and career development skills.

Program goals and objectives are to achieve the following in each student who participates in YLI:

- Support teens with their life skills/relationship building

- Support teens with their academic achievement and postsecondary readiness

- Improve Engagement in Learning

- Provide a safe and constructive environment for teens to explore their interest

The Youth Leadership Initiative operates Monday through Thursday from 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM during the school year and Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM during the summer.

Organizational Overview

Asian Arts Initiative is a multi-disciplinary and community-based arts center in Philadelphia that advances racial equity and understanding, activating artists, youth, and their communities through creative practice and dialogue grounded in the diverse Asian American experience. Through exhibitions, performances, and community projects, we provide an inclusive gathering place for conversation and exchange of ideas. Our community-based arts initiatives seek out and cultivate innovative models for artists to engage with local communities, with a particular emphasis on working in partnership with our immediate neighborhood. Our primary programs include: 1) Artist residencies, commissions, and presenting of performances and exhibitions for artists to develop professionally and to create socially relevant artwork reflecting community experiences; 2) Year-round out-of-school-time programming for middle school youth, offering creative development and a safe place; 3) Participatory curatorial practices and various community development initiatives in our immediate neighborhood of Chinatown North/Callowhill.