Teaching Artist: Visual Arts, Part-Time

To apply, please send your cover letter and resume to jobs@storycatcherstheatre.org with the position title in the subject line.

Position Summary.

The Teaching Artist (TA) is a mentor and artistic coach who works with at-risk young adults in our post-release program to produce original pieces of art through a range of artistic mediums including Visual Arts, storytelling, and music. The TA reports to the Program Manager and supports the Artistic Lead with implementing creative programming and workshops to address social emotional learning. The TA is responsible for coaching participants through the creative process and expanding the output beyond live performance. The TA will participate in day-to-day programming and facilitating workshops. They must demonstrate collaborative skills and be a role model for others, especially in stressful situations.

This is a part-time, hourly, position working an average of 12 hours per week, in-person.

About the Changing Voices Program.

Changing Voices is a year-round supported employment program composed primarily of emerging Black and Brown adults in the justice system who are 17-24 years of age. The program, which has an eight-month enrollment period for groups of up to 21 participants at a time, uses story-writing, performances, civic engagement, job/life skills training, and case management support to empower participants to meet personal goals. Under the guidance of trained Teaching Artists, participants collaborate to create and share original pieces inspired by their personal stories while also receiving case management support.

Job expectations.

Artistic:

• Study and develop proficiency in Storycatchers Theatre’s artistic process.
• Work with participants to help them creatively convey personal stories through the lenses of Visual Arts.
• Provide participants with guidance regarding storytelling through Visual Arts.
• Lead creative exercises and engage in theatre games/rehearsal activities as requested.
• Attend weekly team meetings.
• Provide emotional support to participants as needed; model professional rehearsal demeanor; work with other TAs to create and maintain a safe, positive program environment for all participants

Additional expectations:

• Act as a role model for participants by being on time to program sessions as determined by specific program needs.
• Maintain a mature, respectful, and patient demeanor.
• Maintain working space including participation in setup and breakdown of performances or showcases.
• Comply with security and access procedures.
• Other duties as assigned.

What you’ll need to be a great candidate.

• Experience in arts or art therapy with desire to work in various art forms including theatre, music, dance, creative writing, podcast or Visual Arts.
• Have experience working with and be willing to work within a documented, trauma-informed writing methodology.
• Be level-headed, resilient, and patient in the face of challenges and/or volatile situations.
• Have experience teaching in and collaborating with a diverse team.
• Self-starter comfortable balancing immediate responsibilities and urgent tasks.
• Be willing to respectfully accept and apply feedback.
• Able to accommodate a flexible, changing schedule.
• Have a strong interest in advocating against the societal issues and oppressions prevalent in minority communities and the justice system.
• Have a strong sense of professional boundaries in relationships with youth participants.
• Successfully complete a facility-required background check.

Required availability.

Average of 12 hours per week for in-person programming and assigned prep time. This program operates in-person Monday through Thursday between 10a and 2p in Chicago, 60609.

About Storycatchers.

Since 1990, Storycatchers Theatre has been amplifying and elevating the voices of youth impacted by the carceral state. Using an award-winning and transformational writing methodology, Storycatchers prepares these young people to be self-advocates and provides tools for them to envision and pursue productive futures of their own choosing.

Storycatchers Theatre is a non-profit that works with youth in incarceration facilities, detention centers, and post-release programs to write true personal stories, overcome traumatic experiences, and empower their individual growth. Staff use a healing-centered methodology to meet the youth where they are and identify how they want to creatively tell their stories. Some of the formats include rap songs, anthologies, podcasts and musical theatre pieces. Every effort is made to share these pieces with the families and communities of the young people, facilitating discussions that create change in themselves and their audiences.

Job Type: Part-time

Pay: From $30.00 per hour

Expected hours: No more than 12 per week

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Ability to Relocate:

• Chicago, IL: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person