ABOUT THE POSITION

Symphony Space seeks experienced, part-time, year-round, Teaching Artists for its Global Arts: Cultural Literacy & Heritage program. Our Global Arts program includes workshops, in-school assemblies, and cultural performances at Symphony Space that celebrate:

African Arts
Asian Arts
Latin American Arts
Native American Arts
American Arts

Teaching Artists lead in-school or after-school workshops/residencies in public and charter schools and community centers throughout NYC and select locations in the tri-state area.

Teaching Artists may specialize in any type of cultural art form, including dance, music, theater, visual art, literary art, and storytelling.

 

ABOUT OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS

Since 1980, Symphony Space has been providing high-quality arts education to Pre-K–12 students and adult learners in New York City and beyond, serving upwards of 16,000 students annually through three programs:

Global Arts: Cultural Literacy & Heritage, which uses the performing and visual arts to bring world cultures to life through engaged exploration of the art and cultures of Africa, Asia, Native America, Latin America, and North America;

All Write!, which introduces adult literacy and ESOL students to the beauty and power of the written word, and amplifies the voices of an often unseen and unheard population; and

Thalia Kids Book Club Camp, which brings together renowned authors and illustrators of books for young readers with their passionate audience in a day camp filled with book-related activities and field trips.
 

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop and execute lesson plans for engagements, including one-time workshops and longer residencies. Administrative staff at Symphony Space work with Teaching Artists to develop plans.

Create a safe, brave environment for participants to engage in art-making and discussion, including giving and receiving constructive feedback from peers.

Facilitate inquiry-led discussions and activities into the history and defining elements of their cultural art form, as well as its relevance for participants in diverse NYC communities today. 

Facilitate art-making activities that allow students to apply what they’ve learned in ways that include and celebrate the students own experiences and cultures.

Provide methods that students can use throughout their lives to learn about a culture through careful observation and analysis of an art form or a particular artwork.

Collaborate with the Director of Education and Education Manager to develop and strengthen existing programs.

Contribute to ongoing program evaluation and research efforts that include the following:

Formal written reports

In-person program surveys

Build and sustain strong, productive working relationships with partner site staff, including classroom teachers, school principals, and other on-site administrators.

 

DESIRED SKILLS & TRAITS

Artists, including bilingual artists and artists who identify as disabled, from the varied traditions and cultural diasporas of African; Asian; Central, North and South American; and Native American communities are strongly encouraged to apply. Required and preferred experience includes:

Experience teaching in NYC public schools (or similar settings) with elementary, middle, and/or high school populations.

Great enthusiasm about sharing cultural modes of artistic self-expression with all age groups.

Experience with inclusive practices for students with disabilities is a plus.

Experience facilitating professional developments for educators is a plus.

Knowledge of trauma-informed teaching practices is a plus.

Knowledge of National Standards in the Arts, as well as the NYC Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts, is a plus.

ABOUT SYMPHONY SPACE

Symphony Space is a multidisciplinary performing arts center where bold programming, presented in a uniquely warm and welcoming environment, forges indelible relationships between artists and audiences. Our fundamental mission is to connect art, ideas, and community through our programs and our commitment to literacy and education through the arts. On our New York City stages, through our national broadcasts, and in the classrooms and communities we serve throughout the country, we foster access to the arts through all the disciplines. Our embrace of the audience and the arts is wide, and the experience of our artists, audiences, students, and educators is deep and enriched.

 

Symphony Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our commitment to diversifying our workforce extends to all who join us in creating and presenting art. We strongly encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply.  The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. To learn more about Symphony Space’s mission, vision, values, and programs, please visit symphonyspace.org.

 

Please note that all Symphony Space staff members are required to be fully vaccinated and boosted.

COMPENSATION

Compensation is determined by the type and length of the activity.  E.g., Teaching Artists are paid $170 for 2 class periods (2-hour session) of teaching or facilitation; $250 for up to 4 class periods (up to five hours), $300 for 5 class periods (excess of five hours).  Attendance at staff meetings is paid at $35/hour.  A full schedule of compensation is provided at the time of interview. Should a Teaching Artist be required to travel outside the boroughs of the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan or Queens, travel reimbursement will be provided. Teaching Artists must be fingerprinted through the NYC DOE. Symphony Space will reimburse employees for the cost of fingerprinting if they are not already in the system.

TO APPLY

Please email your cover letter, resume and a sample lesson plan, indicating the level of the intended participants (e.g., grade level), the subject, length of workshop, and when this lesson would be taught, if it is part of a sequential series (e.g., lesson 3 in a 6-lesson series) OR stand-alone workshop. Please put “Teaching Artist” in the subject line of your email and send to search@symphonyspace.org. We look forward to receiving your application.