Since 1997, Fleisher has partnered with K-8 public schools and social service agencies in South Philadelphia to bring hands-on art-making directly to students. Through a co-teaching model, Fleisher’s Teaching Artist works closely with a classroom teacher to design a ten-week curriculum of creative projects that enhance students’ learning in core subjects, like math, science, social studies, and language arts, while developing studio and technical skills in the visual arts. Each year, 345 students are provided with 30 hours of free arts instruction in one of 15 arts-integrated residencies, and given a sketchbook and art-making supplies to keep. At the end of the school year, their work is displayed in Fleisher’s galleries as part of a Young Artists Exhibition, visited by more than 3,500 community members. Recent residencies took place at Southwark, Jackson, Puentes de Salud, and the Cambodian Association.

To see recent residencies, please visit fleisher.community.

Requirements and Responsibilities

The Teaching Artist (Artist) has the following responsibilities to make the artist residency a positive and engaging arts-integrated learning experience for participating children and youth:

• Designs and implements a well-planned youth focused curriculum and lesson plans for a 10-week residency with the collaborative assistance of classroom teacher/site staff (Teacher) and Manager of Community Programs (Manager).
• Respectful of classroom space and rules, discipline style, and other expectations of the children.
• Communicates regularly with Teacher about kids’ needs and daily plans for residency.
• Effectively plans and requests all materials for the project from the Manager in a timely manner.
• Arrives at least 15 minutes before the scheduled time to set up.
• Leaves classroom or artmaking space clean and organized with materials put away and children’s artwork placed in safe spaces.
• Informs Teacher of unexpected change of plans such as illness or other absences as soon as possible.
• Informs Manager on necessary arrangements for pick-up of children’s artwork for end of year exhibition.
• Answering brief weekly journal questions around the progress and impact of the residency
• Regular attendance at Monthly Skill Share meetings and Quarterly Professional Development sessions, availability confirmed by Manager ahead of time
• Demonstrated ability of bilingual facilitation and/or art instruction (Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, or Cantonese) is a PLUS
• Can provide PA State Police Criminal Record Check, PA Child Abuse History, FBI background check, and Act 126 Mandated Reporter Training Certificate.

The artist is generally on site two times per week for 90 minute sessions each. Artists are allotted 15 hours of prep for the entire residency. Instruction and prep time are compensated at $31/hr. Meetings scheduled throughout the residency cycle will be scheduled at the Artist’s availability and will be compensated at $25/hr.

Benefits
As a member of Fleisher's faculty, teaching artists receive:

• A Fleisher household membership for the duration of employment.
• 30% discount for art materials purchased at the Fleisher supply store; a 10% discount at our partnering supply stores.
• Discounted rates for rental of Fleisher facilities for meetings, lectures, and private events.
• Free use of Fleisher studios, pending availability, by appointment for personal work.
• Comped tuition for Fleisher classes each semester (material/model fees must be paid.)
• Staff ID card from the Philadelphia Museum of Art, allowing free admission to the Museum, access to the Museum library and slide library, and discounts at the Museum Shop.

To apply please submit:

• Current résumé outlining teaching history
• Images of current work (maximum of 12)
• Images of work created by students (maximum of 12)
• Three professional references
• Course descriptions and curriculum outlines for courses taught
• Other supporting documentation, including evaluation or available clearances

Please note, you cannot begin a residency through the CPA program unless you have your clearances. You do not need these documents at the time of applying, only if extended a formal invitation to work at Fleisher. Please note the FBI background may take 4-6 weeks to process.

Fleisher is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any classification protected by federal, state, or local law.