VENICE ARTS seeks Volunteer Artist Mentors
MISSION Venice Arts mission is to ignite youths' imagination, mentor their creativity, and expand their sense of possibility through high quality, accessible media–based arts education programs. Venice Arts also serves as a catalyst for people of all ages, living in low–income or underrepresented communities, to create and share personal and community stories through photography, film, and multi–media.
Venice Arts is always interested in finding qualified volunteers who can assist with our youth media arts programs. Qualifications include a background in any of the following: photography, film/video, animation, multimedia and/or visual arts. Many of our volunteers use volunteering as a way to gain teaching experience in their field; while others simply want to inspire young people to hone in on their craft. Volunteers will be trained by Venice Arts and given artist mentor assignments, on an as–needed basis, in our programs for youth in Venice and at our Art Partners locations in Los Angeles.
Workshop Structure
The Winter/Spring session runs from October 1st until December 15th. Approximately 18 workshops are offered each cycle, with each having 8–12 youth and meeting once or twice a week for 2-4 hours per class.
Workshops are taught by a team of artists comprised of a paid Lead Artist, with background and experience in education, who works collaboratively with volunteer artist–mentors. Our goal is to provide a teaching and mentoring ratio of no higher than 1:4.
Volunteer artist–mentors are asked to come to their assigned workshop at least 30 minutes early to work with the Lead Artist on preparation for that day's class and to review the lesson plan. If feasible, volunteers are also asked to stay after–class for 15–30 minutes to debrief. Volunteer artist–mentors are welcomed, and encouraged, to also lead lesson plans and present their own work when appropriate, and are asked to closely mentor a designated number of youth in their assigned class.
QUALIFICATIONS
Must be a photographer, filmmaker, animator, multimedia or visual artist. Experience teaching or working with youth preferred, but not necessary. Must be available during standard after–school hours and/or on weekends.
