Teaching Artist: Summer Camps and Events

JOB DESCRIPTION

Now. Make. Art. (NMA) Teaching Artists oversee young people’s' bold and joyful artistic inquiry at youth-centered, intergenerational arts programs across the state of MN. NMA is looking to expand our creative team with multiple contract teaching artists who will lead Summer 2026 summer camps and public events.

NMA is hiring for two types of contract Teaching Artist positions– for camps and for events.  Both positions will have most of their hours between June and August.

For camps, Teaching Artists will develop curriculum and lead groups of 5-18 students in process-art activities. Most programs are for grade levels K-5, with some for pre-K and grade levels 6-8.  For events, Teaching Artists will be responsible for running our signature NMA programming for intergenerational public audiences. 

Job Details

Title: Teaching Artist
Job Type: Independent Contractor*
Hours: Part-time, varied (see times listed below)
Compensation: $30/hour including prep, set-up/take-down, and transportation time for more than 20 miles from our White Bear Lake. All Training & meeting hours are paid at the same rate.
Reports to: Megan Flød Johnson, Owner/Founder of Now. Make. Art.
Locations: schools and locations in and around the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin, some events in Greater Minnesota.

Camp availability:
Candidates must be available for at least half of the camp dates/times below. Candidates must have some availability in April and May for training.

• June 15-18, 8-4, Blake School in Hopkins

• June 15-18, 8:30-12:30, Roseville

• June 22-24, 8:30-4:30, Hudson WI

• June 22-25, 8:30-12:30, Roseville

• June 25-26, 8:30-12:30, Hudson WI

• June 29-July 2, 12:30-4:30, White Bear Lake

• July 6-9, 12:30-4:30, White Bear Lake

• July 7- 10, 8:30-12:30, Stillwater

Event availability:
Candidates should have general availability between June and August. Candidates must have some availability in April and May for training.

These positions will occasionally work in pairs or with an assistant for programs that require it. As the teaching artist, you may be responsible for transporting the other team member if the event is outside of the Twin Cities.

*As an independent contractor, you will be self-employed and are responsible for filing taxes independently. The position does not include health benefits. 

For camps, you will:

• Will lead half or full-day, enrichment-style, multidisciplinary arts camps for pre-elementary and elementary students (age 4-13 years old). 

• Pick up, transport, and return camp materials to White Bear Lake, MN.

• Build camp curriculum based on the provided NMA framework prior to camps that includes activities like group games, collective process art investigations, and open-ended play experiences. 

• Supervise groups of 8-25 young people, including during breaks, arrival and departure from the program.

• Oversee the smooth running of this program from set-up to take-down.

• Serve as the site contact for community partners.

• Communicate frequently with NMA staff about the camp via text and email.

• Serve as a co-conspirator in the art-making process with participants.

• Set an example of positive participation, inquiry-focused, and responsiveness throughout each camp.

• Ensure that materials and supplies are cleaned, organized, and maintained.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

For events, you will:

• Engage intergenerational community members at public events, with crowd sizes from 1 to 50 participants at a time.

• Retrieve, transport, and return all event materials to White Bear Lake, MN.

• Oversees the smooth running of art events from set-up to take-down.

• Serves as the site manager contact for community partners.

• Act as the face of NMA at events.

• Communicate frequently with NMA staff about the events via text and email.

• Serve as a co-conspirator in the art-making process with participants.

• Set an example of positive participation, inquiry-focused, and responsiveness throughout each event.

• Ensure that materials and supplies are cleaned, organized, and maintained.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to lift 25 pounds.

• Valid driver’s license and consistent access to a vehicle to transport materials for camp.

• Reliable transportation to and from work sites located around the Twin Cities, (or greater MN for events) and materials sites located in White Bear Lake.

• Ability to stay organized, read complex schedules and show up to events on time.

• Special interest in the capacity of young people (birth-teens) to lead without adult intervention or correction.

• Experience engaging with the public with a diverse range of ages, backgrounds, languages, cultures, and experiences in creative processes.

• Experience working with elementary-aged students in creative endeavors.

• Excellent communication skills 

• Preferred 5+ years of experience as a teaching artist in visual or time-based art.

• A passion for collective making! You believe bringing your ideas together with others’ creates a bigger impact than creating individually.

• A belief that every person is an artist (age 0-111) and has the capacity to make important contributions to their community and enact change.

TO APPLY

Send an email to megan@nowmakeart.com and include the following:

• A resume

• A brief cover letter

  • Include if you are interested in CAMPS for EVENTS

  • For camps- include which specific dates you are available for

  • For events- include your general availability between June and August

Any applications without all of the above will not be considered.

This position will be open until we find the right people. Interviews will happen on a rolling basis. The interview process will include a video interview (30-60 min). Position contingent on the successful pass of a background check. Reach out with any questions at megan@nowmakeart.com.