Job Summary:
Under general supervision of the Club’s Senior Site Manager, the Visual Arts Mentor will design and implement a rich visual arts program focused on painting, chalk, pastels and drawing. Programming may also include youth-designed fashion and costuming, technical illustration, draping, pattern-making, construction, sewing and computer-aided design, fashion and textiles. Programming must incorporate youth voice, hold youth to high expectations, provide hands-on skill building with current technology and equipment, engage the community and culminate with high-profile public events.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Provide arts instruction to youth ages 10 and up
- Establish and maintain, in collaboration with youth, an environment of physical and emotional safety based on respect at all levels.
- Implement visual arts programming through the 10 Success Principles, maintaining the integrity of each Principle as detailed in the Something to Say research report.
- Provide hands-on, experiential learning through visual arts based upon results of Club implemented youth surveys and focus groups.
- Lead 6-week arts programming blocks throughout the year: Two in the fall, two in the spring and two-week camps in the summer. Each session should consist of skill development classes at least twice a week for two hours and at least one 3-hour open studio time.
- In collaboration with the Youth Arts Initiative team, organize and implement at least two high profile public culminating events for programs.
- Adhere to all requested program evaluation and documentation protocol detailed by Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota, BGCA and Research for Action Evaluation Consultants (RFA).
- Provide additional arts programming for youth ages 5-9.
Develop and Deliver Relevant High Quality Visual Arts Training
- Provide youth participants skills and guidance for creating their own original artwork of relevance and personal importance through the visual arts.
- Design skill development and open studio classes for ALL skill levels (non-artists, beginner, intermediate and advance artists).
- Include training in a variety of visual arts media, with specific focus on pastel/chalk drawing and oil/acrylic painting, as well as other media driven by the interests of the youth.
- Lead skill development/open studio time, and time for peer to peer learning.
- Expose youth to various forms of visual arts, specifically pastel/chalk and oil/acrylic art.
- Encourage youth to build, critique and present their own portfolios, find their preferred medium and work independently within the group setting.
- Ensure that quality arts entries are developed for the National Fine Arts Exhibit program and ImageMakers photography exhibit.
- Educate young artists on professional equipment and proper usage of materials.
Serve as a Full Time Club Staff, Youth Mentor and Youth Arts Initiative Team Member
- Participate in all required and recommended Club trainings and staff meetings.
- Serve as an adult mentor to all Club youth.
- Serve as a champion for high quality arts making and lead professional development workshops/trainings in the arts and the 10 Success Principles for other Club staff.
- Actively collaborate, provide support and resources to Youth Arts Initiative team, board members and other organizational leadership.
- Actively participate in all required site visits, conference calls, group trainings, meetings and professional development opportunities detailed by Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Minnesota, BGCA, RFA and members of the Wallace Foundation. Some travel will be required.
Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Demonstrates commitment and dedication to visual arts.
- Demonstrated ability to work with youth in a Boys & Girls Club environment.
- Ability to work in a team environment.
- Ability to build community partnerships to support the program.
Education and Work Experience
2 years higher education in the arts and 2 years related experience
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Visual: Normal acuity required daily for making color distinction, depth of sight, preparing/analyzing figures, computer use, and written records 8+ hours
Communication: Able to express thoughts and ideas in an accurate and understandable manner through verbal and written format with internal and external contacts 8 hours per day
Movement: Ability to maneuver within work site 6-8 hours per day
Lifting/Pulling/Pushing/Carrying: Able to comfortably move and manipulate up to 30 lbs of weight up to 4-6 hours per day
Travel: Required to travel for professional development annually and must be at least 21 years of age and eligible to meet Club van driving requirements