Teaching Artist

TO APPLY: Please email jobs@upstreamarts.org your resume or CV along with a cover letter.

Upstream Arts uses the power of the creative arts to activate and amplify the voice and choice of individuals with disabilities. We are hiring Teaching Artists to work in teams to bring Upstream Arts’ multidisciplinary arts curriculum to residencies throughout the Twin Cities Metro region, using the language of the arts to teach Social Emotional Learning. We work in classrooms and with program partners who are providing education, community, and support to folks within the disability community.

Upstream Arts is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In keeping with our commitment, Upstream Arts will take the steps to assure that people with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations. Accordingly, if reasonable accommodation is required to fully participate in the job application or interview process, to perform the essential functions of the position, and/or to receive all other benefits and privileges of employment, please email us at jobs@upstreamarts.org.

Essential functions of the job:

Teaching:

• Help to deliver Upstream Arts curriculum according to our specifications and the needs of the students and participants in assigned residencies
• Participate in and support working, learning, and playing with and alongside youth and adults with disabilities as part of a 3 person Teaching Artist team
• Represent Upstream Arts and be a point of contact for on-site staff such as classroom teachers, Personal Care Assistants, and Direct Support Professionals in person and via email
• Review, plan, prep and prepare for weekly assigned curriculum

Administrative duties:

• Communicate regularly and effectively with colleagues and supervisors, primarily via email and text
• Track and report hours worked twice per month for timesheet submission
• Other administrative duties as needed to support the Teaching Artist role

Training and support:

• Attend regular Teaching Artist trainings / meetings, primarily in person and occasionally virtual
• Participate in other initial and on-going training around Upstream Arts’ curriculum, classroom skills, administrative duties, etc.

Physical demands / requirements:

Getting to and from various locations around the Twin Cities Metro region, such as schools, community centers, and adult day programs, for teaching in assigned residencies

Setting up and tearing down space for teaching may involve: moving chairs and tables, putting tape on the floor, hand-writing out nametags or class outlines, using an iPad or smartphone to use a bluetooth speaker, and more

Teaching Artists both facilitate curriculum activities and support participants in engaging in the activities. Facilitating activities may involve: speaking, dancing, painting, writing, standing, sitting, acting, singing. Supporting participants may involve: waiting, listening, holding space, encouraging with words and body language, co-regulation techniques like breathing alongside a participant / student, and more

Administrative duties require internet access for using provided email and associated Google Drive account, Upstream Arts’ program management database, timesheet review and submission, and more

Teaching Artists need a high degree of comfort with and comprehension of written and spoken communication in English

Teaching Artists must have been vaccinated for COVID-19

Description of work conditions and environment:

This job happens primarily between 8am and 5pm Mondays through Fridays.

Many of our residencies happen in public K-12 classrooms and therefore follow a school year schedule with more hours available to our Teaching Artists when schools are in session and fewer hours available when schools are out. Our residencies usually last 12 weeks in both the fall and winter/spring semesters with a small number of very short residencies in summer. There are breaks between residencies when work is less available or unavailable, such as in January and June-September.

This is part-time work. How many hours an individual Teaching Artist is offered depends on an individual’s availability and how it aligns with the program schedule created with our partner organizations. An Upstream Arts Teaching Artist may expect to work 2 hours per week for each residency they are assigned (most beginning teaching artists teach 3-4 residencies per semester), plus 2 hours per week of training and meeting time as it aligns with organizational capacity.

Teaching Artists teach “off-site” at various schools, day programs, community centers, and other spaces where people with disabilities receive services, in classrooms, meeting rooms, and occasionally random spaces. Our weekly meetings and trainings are on-site at Upstream Arts office in the Pillsbury House + Theater building in South Minneapolis, unless they are designated virtual meetings, which take place via Zoom.

Teaching Artist teams are equipped with “gear boxes,” that include all the supplies needed to deliver Upstream Arts’ curriculum, such as painting / drawing supplies, assistive technology, musical instruments, and more. Teaching Artists are not required to bring any additional supplies to their residencies. In all residencies, Teaching Artists are expected to wear a provided Upstream Arts Artist t-shirt.

Required / preferred experience:

Upstream Arts residencies use a facilitated group learning structure, and Teaching Artists must be comfortable teaching in that performative, interactive environment.

Upstream Arts Teaching Artists must have previous experience in AT LEAST one of the following:

• Working with and alongside folks within the disability community
• Group teaching and/or facilitation
• Learning or experience in sexual health education
• An artistic practice, performance experience, or experience teaching in the arts

We also prefer candidates with:

• Facility or mastery in a language other than English, especially Spanish, Somali, Hmong, Karen, or American Sign Language

Pay Structure:

Upstream Arts hires Teaching Artists as Apprentice Teaching Artists at $19/hour. As Apprentice Teaching Artists gain experience, usually after a minimum of 12 weeks, they are promoted to Regular Teaching Artists. Regular Teaching Artists have a more active role in our residencies, and, as such, are paid at a higher hourly wage of $26.50/hour.

All Upstream Arts Teaching Artists earn Paid Time Off and are eligible to participate in our retirement savings plan.