Summer Assistant Teaching Artist

Overview

The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program’s Art Education Department serves over 2000 youth annually through free out-of-school time art education programs in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia. Our programs provide a creative outlet for some of the city’s most vulnerable youth. Mural Arts seeks to build safe spaces with and for the youth we serve, and our students' work demonstrates their capacity for thinking deeply and creating fearlessly.

The Mural Arts Career Connected Learning (C2L-PHL) program provides paid career exploration to Philadelphia-based students aged 14-18 in partnership with JEVS Human Services (jevshumanservices.org). This six-week summer intensive program introduces youth participants to hands-on work readiness experiences in what it takes to be a working artist. Through project-based learning, employing drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, and mural making, youth participants learn to develop their own creative portfolio while working with locally and nationally known artists. Our curriculum offers students the technical and creative foundation necessary to imagine, design, and create a wide range of individual and public works of art. Whether creating a mural or honing foundational art skills, lessons are designed with both short and long-term goals in mind, incorporating artistic and social history in addition to traditional and emerging art processes. At every turn we encourage our students to reflect on themselves and make a positive difference in the communities in which they work and play.

Job summary

This position supports the Lead Teaching Artist in delivering arts education programming for middle and high school youth. Working collaboratively with the Lead Teaching Artist, the Assistant Teaching Artist helps facilitate a safe, engaging, and creative classroom environment in partnership with students and site personnel. The program will run from July 6 through August 14, operating Monday through Friday at various locations throughout Philadelphia. Classes are held in AM cohorts (9:00 AM – 1:00 PM) and PM cohorts (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM).

Key Responsibilities

• Provides instructional support to Lead Teaching Artist (20 hours a week)

• Assists with the set-up and clean-up for projects and/or activities (up to 2 hours a week)

• Assists in preparing and delivering classroom instruction and occasionally leads classroom activities, develops lesson plans and manages classroom under the guidance of the Lead Teaching Artist

• Acts as mentor and role model for participating students

• Tracks classroom attendance weekly, using Airtable

• Tracks supportive services (student SEPTA Keypass log) on a weekly basis and ensure records are shared in a timely manner with C2L-PHL program coordinator.

• Supports the documentation of student work

• Supports timely collection and recording of completed student forms (registration, field trip, etc.)

• Attends mandatory evening professional development meeting in July, Date: TBA • Assists in chaperoning field trips

• Helps maintain site partner relationships

Qualifications and Experience

• Preferably 1-2 years of experience teaching art to youth in middle and/or high school

• Ability to work in multiple settings with respect and humility, i.e.: Non-English dominant spaces, Queer and LGBTQ spaces, cultural and spiritual spaces and navigating gender assigned spaces.

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment

• Updated Child Abuse clearance, Criminal Background check, and FBI Clearance, or the ability to obtain these clearances before July 6, 2026.

Work Environment

This position will be assigned to a designated location within the city of Philadelphia. Regardless of what mode of transportation you use to work, we make every effort to take into consideration commuting times for our onsite staff.

Compensation

• This is a part-time position.
• The hourly rate is $17 per hour for 22 hours per week.
• Anticipated onboarding dates: June 8th - June 26th, 2026
• Off-session: June 29 - July 5th, 2026
• Program dates: July 6th - August 14, 2026

How to Apply

Please submit a resume and a thoughtful cover letter describing your interest in the role and relevant experience. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and early submissions are strongly encouraged. Please note: We are unable to accept phone inquiries or applications through outside agencies.

Equal Opportunity Mural Arts Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to building a diverse staff and strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented communities to apply. If you meet some of the requirements but not all, we encourage you to submit your application to be considered.