Urban Arts Teaching Artist

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT: SEAMAAC is a nonprofit organization in Philadelphia, with the mission “To support and serve immigrants and refugees and other politically, socially and economically marginalized communities as they seek to advance the condition of their lives in the United States.” SEAMAAC envisions a strong and unified society, where immigrants and refugees work alongside other Americans to build shared political, economic and social power.

POSITION SUMMARY: SEAMAAC is seeking to hire Teaching Artists in the following Fields: Breakdancing, and Videography/ Photography. We are committed to providing a safe space for students to learn and grow from their time with practicing artists. SEAMAAC’s Urban Arts Entrepreneurship (UAE) afterschool and summer programs’ mission is to build and support a multi-racial, multi-ethnic community of Philadelphia youth, and to support their path to post-high school education and career opportunities. The Teaching Artist works as a team player to run a high-quality program using Urban Arts such as breakdancing and photography/videography to empower youth into shaping their own futures and create empowerment through entrepreneurial ventures in the urban arts. The Teaching Artist will lead studio activities Mondays through Fridays from 2pm – 6pm during the school year and 10am – 2pm for six weeks during the summer. Staff members are responsible for the everyday functioning of the program activities that includes writing curriculum, leading structured project-based learning instruction, and developing the program participants’ creative endeavors to showcase. UAE youth build cross-cultural bridges through community projects and civic engagement using Urban Arts as vehicles to affect social change and tell their stories.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Additionally, applicants must have:

• Experience as an actively working or performing artist in their field
• A deep commitment to urban arts, education, community, entrepreneurship, and youth empowerment
• Associate degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education, or the human services field and two years’ experience with children.
• In lieu of an Associate degree, a high school diploma with a minimum of three years of experience working with children and youth.
• Experience with creating and implementing lesson plans and curriculum.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Support children and families in a manner that fosters independence, growth and development and will facilitate the children and families achieving their stated goals.
• Plan, prepare and deliver curriculum-based instructions in Urban Arts and skills that also facilitate active learning experiences and incorporate life skills, civic responsibilities, social justice, academic enrichment and college/career readiness.
• Develop an environment where Urban Arts serves as a platform to foster youth empowerment, build life skills, and offer a creative outlet for authentic storytelling, all while promoting entrepreneurship
• Encourage a creative space for students to learn and grow their artistic pursuits
• Conduct outreach, recruitment and enrollment of a minimum of 15 eligible student participants for each year’s summer program (July and August) and school year program (September through June).
• Develop and facilitate safe, age-appropriate, engaging activities with youth in partnership with staff team members.

• Identify and select different instructional resources and methods to meet students’ varying learning needs.
• Perform routine physical activities with youth.
• Communicate consistently with youth participants and their families, schools, organizations and other Providers to engage in different events and collaborate on various opportunities.
• Encourage and monitor the progress of individual students’ development in their skills and abilities.
• Attend professional development trainings outside of H3 program hours to complete a minimum of 15 hours annually as required by program and contract standards. Trainings requirements must include Fire Safety, CPR and First Aid Certification and an annual refresher course in Mandated Reporting.
• Assist in daily maintenance, cleaning and upkeep of program areas including rooms, hallways and restrooms.
• Follow safety and emergency procedures to ensure safety of program youth.
• Play an active role to assist youth with support and referrals for basic needs, academics, and emotional/behavioral health.
• Report to work on time during scheduled hours and for required meetings with minimal tardiness and absences.
• Travel occasionally to work assignments and participate in evening and weekend assignments.
• Attend supervision, program and departmental meetings, organizational-wide or community work efforts and events outside of afterschool program hours as required.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Actively participate in organizational-wide efforts

COMPETENCIES:

• Understanding of, and commitment to, SEAMAAC’s principles, concerns, and consideration in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills as well as advanced computer skills.
• Ability to work and communicate with diverse staff in a team environment.
• Ability to connect and relate to youth.
• Knowledgeable about the issues facing socio-economically disadvantaged youth in the urban setting.
• A strong passion and a clear vision for delivering high impact services to a racially/ethnically diverse community of youth.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently lifts and/or moves up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must undergo criminal, child abuse and health background checks, as required by the program funder. A job offer with SEAMAAC is contingent upon being fully vaccinated for COVID-19 and providing proof of this vaccination before your start date. Those who are fully vaccinated (base dosage plus boosters) must continue to undergo weekly testing or follow the School District of Philadelphia or City protocols.

COMMENTS: This description is intended to describe the essential job functions. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and requirements. SEAMAAC reserves the right to add/change duties and responsibilities as required by our contractual obligations to program funders. Other functions may be assigned and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time.