Teaching Artist (Independent Contractor, Hours Vary)

BE PART OF THE BLACKROCK BUZZ.
At BlackRock Center, we are building an accessible and inclusive community where creative expression, cultural exchange, and a sense of belonging can flourish. We celebrate the diverse voices of Upper Montgomery County, Germantown, and surrounding areas through the arts, fostering artistic growth and cultural understanding. Our mission is to nurture artistic, cultural, and educational experiences that uplift historically excluded communities and dismantle systemic barriers.

We are committed to four core values:

TRUST – We build and maintain accountability to our community, valuing open, honest relationships.
EQUITY – We strive to make art accessible to all, prioritizing populations who have been systemically oppressed.
CURIOUSITY – We embrace learning and creative exploration, constantly evolving through the process.
COMMUNITY – We believe in the power of intentional, inclusive engagement to uplift individuals and transform society.

Our Statement of Equity affirms our dedication to confronting and addressing the exclusionary practices that have long permeated arts and culture, from systemic biases to inequitable access to resources. We are actively working to create an environment where everyone, regardless of background, can engage with and contribute to the world of art.

Join us in creating a space where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and belong.

Teaching Artist (Independent Contractor, Hours Vary)
BlackRock is currently seeking talented & motivated individuals for our seasonal classes, grant funded Outreach Programs, special events, camps, and field trips that have teaching experience in any of the following disciplines: visual arts, music, theatre and/or dance. This part time role offers the opportunity to teach grant funded after school or camp day programs in BlackRock or at partner schools as well as seasonal classes, workshops, field trips and special events as needed at the center. This position serves as an independent contract role for BlackRock Center for the Arts. The teaching artist will develop programming that will engage youth and inspire love and appreciation for the arts. • Plan weekly lessons aligned with programming in their discipline including age appropriate developmental and pedagogical practice. • Introduce students to various techniques based on a theme or planned topic. • Foster a positive and inclusive learning environment that values each student's unique artistic abilities and ideas and provide constructive feedback and support to students as they explore and develop their artistic skills. • Consistently collaborate with BlackRock leadership and staff, including staff meetings as necessary. • Adhere to BlackRock policies to ensure consistency and quality of programming. • Travel to partnering schools at scheduled time. The Teaching Artist will implement safety protocols. • Will be knowledgeable of and adhere to all safety protocols. • Will be responsible for ensuring that students follow safety protocols. The Teaching Artist will Communicate with students' parents/guardians as well as with BlackRock Staff. • Communicate as necessary to student families • Demonstrate outstanding communication skills, using clear, concise, and professional language when interacting with others. The Teaching Artist will foster an environment of excellence and inclusion in a safe “arts-for-all" environment. • Participate as a member of the BlackRock community and will use their presence to engage the student families, staff, and community at large. • Will embrace teaching in a way that aligns to the BlackRock vision and mission. The Teaching Artist also will: • Adhere to budget allocation for demonstrations, class needs and tech. • Work closely with and understand facilities and proper usage and guidelines for instructional use. • Implement prepared lessons with fidelity. • Encourage and support vulnerability that accompanies trying something new. • Observe the peer culture to diagnose problems and implement solutions as necessary. • Follow procedures for handling all difficulties related to health, behavior, and other problems and report incidents. • Monitor and ensure appropriate student behavior and adherence to BlackRock guidelines and policies. • Handle emergency situations in conjunction with facilities, Patron Services, and the Director of Education by documented incident reporting. • Assess the overall program to see if there are any changes that need to be made for optimum functioning. • Other duties as assigned. EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, AND SKILL REQUIREMENTS • Bachelor's degree in an arts related field, or related certifications is strongly preferred • Previous experience planning, implementing, and providing arts instruction. • Familiarity with and deep knowledge of artistic techniques. • Detail-oriented with exceptional organizational and time management skills. • Ability to work independently and in teams. • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. • Agility to make modifications to adapt in changing work environment. Compensation and Benefits The salary for this position starts at $20 - $25 per hour for camps, and $20 - $60 per hour for seasonal classes, special events, Outreach, and field trips based on experience, credentials, programming and grant funding, etc. Hours are dependent on grant requirements, scheduling, etc.

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