Teaching Artist – Ceramics at Creativity Explored, San Francisco
Posted on August 20, 2023
Classification: Part time position 28 hrs (3 days regular + 1 day float)
Compensation: $24 per hour starting salary
Locations: Creativity Explored, 3245 16th Street, and/or One Arkansas Street in San Francisco; Possible community studio locations including Art Explosion studio at 2425 17th St in San Francisco
Reports To: Studio Director/Manager
Application Review begins: September 7th, 2023
ABOUT CREATIVITY EXPLORED
Creativity Explored is a San Francisco nonprofit that partners with people with developmental disabilities to create an artistic, studio-based collective where the creative capacity of any person can flourish. We do this by placing the work, needs, culture, and experience of artists with developmental disabilities at the center of the community in a way that honors humanity, respects self-agency, and nurtures creative potential.
CE is a warm, fast-paced, and fun place to work, with a long-serving multidisciplinary staff that is deeply committed to our community. A San Francisco icon, CE was voted Best Art Gallery and Best Nonprofit this year in SF Bay Guardian & 48Hills. Visit our website at creativityexplored.org to learn more.
Creativity Explored is committed to building and sustaining an equitable and inclusive work environment where diversity is celebrated and valued. BIPOC, people with disabilities, and bilingual individuals are strongly encouraged to apply.
POSITION OVERVIEW
The Teaching Artist, Ceramics supports developmentally disabled studio artists as they develop a meaningful arts practice with a particular focus on ceramics. The Teaching Artist, Ceramics will be a practicing artist who has experience teaching, with the ability to facilitate growth for artists with diverse needs and practices. The ideal candidate will foster reflection and curiosity for CE artists, and will be skilled in developing relationships with artists, fellow teaching artists, and staff in other CE departments.
The Teaching Artist will collaborate with other staff and volunteers to develop and implement a scaffolded art curriculum that meets the needs of artists, while participating as a member of the direct service team. We are looking for expertise in Ceramics with skills sets that also include Painting, Drawing, Fabric and Sculpture.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Artist Support
• Developing strong relationships with artists and helping them in facilitating their art practice and encouraging each studio artist to find their own voice while assessing artistic skills, establishing goals for each assigned artist, and developing teaching strategies to assist each artist in meeting their goals
• Actively participating in a learning community rooted in person-centered thinking
• Overseeing studio artist paratransit pick-ups or use of public transport as needed
• Engaging in additional training that helps teaching artists identify and develop skills that support the organization’s goals
• As needed, creating and leading a wide variety of engaging, short-term arts activities for people of all ages and abilities as part of CE’s weekend and outreach arts programming
• Comfortable using or learning video teleconferencing software programs such as ZOOM, Google Meet, etc.
Delivery of Ceramics Program
• Assisting the Studio Director, Studio Manager, and Social Services Manager in delivery of a high quality ceramics program which meets the needs of studio artists.
• Use specialized ceramics equipment and supplies such as a kiln, wheel and ceramics glazes and tools
• Assessing supply needs and making recommendations for ceramics supplies and equipment as needed
• Facilitating exploration of new techniques in ceramics
Studio Operations
• Ensuring that studio artists are safely supervised at all times.
• Ensuring all activities are conducted in a safe, prudent manner aligning with studio policies.
• Maintaining clean, organized, and orderly work areas and storage for art works in progress
• Ensuring that all reporting requirements are completed according to established guidelines
Community Integration
• Supporting positive inclusion of CE artists with people of all ages and abilities
• Accompanying CE artists on art-related outings in the community. May be scheduled on a regular or an occasional basis, as the organizational need dictates
• Ensuring the safety of all artists during an outing by following established Creativity Explored outing protocol
• Facilitating participation in special projects and public-facing activities such as public art projects, community events, and arts partnerships
Exhibitions, Marketing and Partnerships
• Assisting other staff to select, prepare, exhibit, and market studio artist work
• Assisting Exhibition and Gallery Coordinators to promote individual studio artists by identifying outside exhibition and sales venues and/or opportunities
Other Duties
• Working collaboratively on projects across the organization that advance the goals of Creativity Explored
• Regularly participating in collaborative activities that support CE’s plans across departments Examples: professional development, serving on committees, and working with groups to plan organization wide initiatives.
• Contributing to the development and improvement of CE programs
• Participating in ongoing professional development at CE
• Performing other reasonably related duties as requested.
KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES
Organizational Relationship
The Teaching Artist, Ceramics is expected to work productively in a team environment and to foster open communication with staff across the organization to produce communications that support the organization’s mission and goals. They are also expected to work towards embodying the four components of CE’s Staff Philosophy: Community, Creativity, Collaboration, and Compassion.
Compliance with Policies and Procedures
The Program Coordinator will comply with established Creativity Explored policies and practices.
KEY SELECTION CRITERIA
• Post-secondary education in fine arts or other arts related or equivalent experience.
• At least three years experience in a ceramics studio environment, including glazes, firing and maintaining kiln and related equipment as needed
• Creative capacity in ceramics reflected in personal artmaking record, portfolio, and exhibition history
• Process-based, inquiry-based approach to artmaking
• Growth mindset, with strong ability to collaborate with people across the organization
• Interest in or experience working with people with disabilities in an arts context
• Excellent communication skills including the ability to communicate effectively with people with developmental disabilities
• Ability to work as a supportive team player and to work independently
• Sound organizational skills
• Bicultural/bilingual fluency in Cantonese, Mandarin, Tagalog or Vietnamese a plus
ADDITIONAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability to lift, push, pull and move up to 50 pounds
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
• Complete and maintain CPR, First Aid, and AED certification (initial certification to be completed within 30 days of date of hire)
• Workplace Harassment Training
• Complete Creativity Explored staff training pertinent to position job responsibilities as assigned
OTHER INFORMATION
This position is an ongoing regular, part-time position with daytime M-F hours, with evening and weekend hours on occasion. Schedule and number of hours will be determined during the hiring process. This position does require a Saturday shift.
The position is eligible to receive benefits as described in Creativity Explored Personnel Policies, including vacation, holiday and sick leave, health, dental and vision insurance, commuter, and long-term disability benefits.
Offers are subject to satisfactory Criminal Records Clearance check and proof of negative TB test results completed within the last year.
To apply, please email the following information to jobs@creativityexplored.org
• Cover letter stating why you are interested in the position, any previous relevant experience, and why you would be a good fit at Creativity Explored.
• Resumé
PDF format only. No calls, please.
For more information about Creativity Explored, please visit our website at: www.creativityexplored.org
