Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance

Assistant Teaching Artist

City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program

The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program unites artists and communities through a collaborative process, rooted in the traditions of mural-making, to create art that transforms public spaces and individual lives. Since its inception in 1984, Mural Arts has created more than 3,000 community driven murals and provided thousands of under-served youth and adults with award-winning arts education programming.

City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program – Assistant Teaching Artist – Restorative Practices Youth Program

The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program’s Art Education Department serves over 1,600 youth annually through free out-of-school time art education programs in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia. Our programs provide a creative outlet for some of the city’s most vulnerable youth.

Mural Arts seeks to build safe spaces with and for the youth we serve, and our students' work demonstrates their capacity for thinking deeply and creating fearlessly. Our programs provide young people between the ages of 10 and 22 a year-long course of study in the visual arts. Our curriculum offers students the technical and creative foundation necessary to imagine, design, and create a wide range of individual and public works of art. Whether creating a mural or honing foundational art skills, lessons are designed with both short and long-term goals in mind, incorporating artistic and social history in addition to traditional and emerging art processes. At every turn we encourage our students to reflect on themselves and make a positive difference in the communities in which they work and play while utilizing restorative and trauma-informed care practices. 

The Art Education Department runs four sessions during the year—three school year session and one summer intensive.

In order to best serve the varied needs of our students, the Mural Arts Program’s Art Education Department seeks passionate and creative art educators who are committed to working in partnership with young people. We seek individuals who are excited about mentoring youth, eager to collaborate with fellow artists, and able to work in an energetic environment that demands flexibility, dedication, innovation, and enthusiasm.

Assistant Teaching Artist Position

This position provides assistance to the Lead Teaching Artist for art education programming for adjudicated youth & youth transitioning out of the foster care system. In conjunction with the Teaching Artist the Assistant Teaching Artist is responsible for facilitating a safe and creative classroom environment in partnership with participating students and the site personnel.

Roles & Responsibilities

  • Provides instructional support to Lead Teaching Artist during programming twice a week
  • Assist with the set-up and clean-up for projects and/or activities
  • Assist in preparing and delivering classroom instruction and occasionally leads classroom activities, develops lesson plans and manages classroom under the guidance of the Lead Teaching Artist
  • Act as mentor and role model for participating students
  • Track classroom attendance weekly, using Apricot database
  • Submit photographs and class overviews on the Mural Arts Instagram feed on a weekly basis
  • Support timely collection of completed student registrations.
  • Attend mandatory bi-weekly professional development meetings on Fridays
  • Assist in chaperoning field trips
  • Helps maintain site partner relationships

Requirements

  • Availability for pre-scheduled department meetings and professional development
  • Preferably 1-2 years of experience teaching art to youth involved in the justice system & middle or high school.
  • Ability to work with diverse populations
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced environment
  • Updated Child Abuse clearance, Criminal Background check, and FBI Clearance

Assistant Teaching Artist will receive $15 per hour for 17 hours per week.