Reports to:  Manager of Community Collaborations Department: Community Collaborations Supervision: Summer Instructors & Summer Intern Employment Status: Full-time, 32 hours per week FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Start date: August 2023 Last Updated:  May 22, 2023

 

Who We Are

Penland School of Craft is an international center for craft education offering residential workshops, residencies, community education programs, and exhibitions. Located on 420 acres in the NC Mountains, Penland has 16 teaching studios and 60 historic and contemporary buildings. We are an equal opportunity employer with a staff of 70. Penland operates with a $54 million endowment and an annual operating budget of $7.7 million. We are located about an hour northeast of Asheville, NC.  Our mission supports making lives meaningful through making.

 

Commitment to Equity,  Diversity, and Inclusion

Penland welcomes everyone. Black, Indigenous, Latine, Asian, and other people who identify as people of color or BIPOC individuals are encouraged to apply, as are people holding other marginalized identities related to gender, sexual orientation, ability, and class background.

 

Penland School of Craft believes that equity, inclusion, diversity, and antiracism are essential to our mission. We want the Penland experience to benefit from varied ideas, world views, and personal experiences. We stand against all forms of discrimination and are committed to creating an environment grounded in our equity values. Penland does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, indigeneity, color, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy, parental status, national origin, age, ability, genetic information (including family medical history), political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit based factors.

 

Community Collaborations

Community Collaborations (CC) connects Penland with the surrounding communities through school programming, summer camps, out-of-school initiatives, and collaborations with community organizations.  The Program Coordinator and Teaching Artist is part of a dedicated team that includes the CC Teaching Artist in the Schools and the Manager of Community Collaboration.  

 

Position Summary

The Program Coordinator and Teaching Artist (PCTA) is responsible for administrative and organizational duties coordinating and supporting the programs associated with the Teaching Artists Initiative: the Penland Teaching Artist in the Schools Program, Penland Summer Camp; Subs with SuitCASEs, and other Community Collaboration initiatives. The PCTA acts as a teaching artist for the program, assists with program activities, and coordinates the onboarding and training of teaching artists working with CC programs. In addition, the PCTA works with Penland staff and departments to coordinate the administration of the CC programs. This is an administrative and services-oriented position. The work averages 20 hours of administrative work each week and 12 hours of teaching.

 

Primary Responsibilities

• Works with team to coordinate and implement all Community Collaborations programs.
• Coordinates Summer Camp schedule, promotion, and registration. Manages camp, working with the intern and CC contracted instructors. Oversees orientation of camp instructors and ensures clear communication and timely information.
• Assists the Teaching Artist in the Schools with hands-on programming. 
• Maintains a database of teaching artists involved in CC programs and coordinates their onboarding and professional development activities. Represents Penland as a teaching artist at community events. 
• Coordinates logistics of Subs with SuitCASEs, working with schools and teaching artists on scheduling, communication, and lesson planning.
• Works as a Sub with a SuitCASE in school programs, designing and implementing lessons.
• Represents Penland at community events as a teaching artist, designing and leading hands-on activities appropriate to the event and Penland’s goals.
• Acts as a teaching artist in after-school programs.
• Oversees the Ridgeway art space on Penland’s campus—organizing, scheduling, and ensuring it is a welcoming space. Train staff on safety and use of program space. Manage all materials and tools in this space. Work with facilities and grounds department on upkeep needs.
• Works with marketing, development, and other departments to promote and report on CC programs. This includes ensuring pictures, information, reports, and updates are provided to the various departments. Maintains all photo files and program records. Creates monthly program press releases.
• Nurtures relationships with teachers, school administrators, teaching artists, and community contacts, enabling clear and sensitive communication regarding program activities.
• Supports the CC budget process and ensures established ordering processes are followed.
• Assists with planning open houses, exhibitions, and various community events.
• Represents Penland at arts education meetings where appropriate.
• Ensures all CC programming conforms to Penland policies.
• Other duties as assigned.

 

Qualifications

• A commitment to uphold and implement Penland’s mission, educational philosophy, and equity values is expected, along with the belief in the transformative power of creative expression.
• Two to five years of experience teaching art and planning curriculum is preferred, although we are open to considering an equivalent combination of education and experience. Art teaching may have been in schools or community settings.
• A passion for working with youth of different ages and backgrounds and sensitivity to and appreciation for the rural community in which Penland is located.
• In-depth technical knowledge of processes to be used in the classroom and a general understanding of the field of craft.
• Must possess good organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage a varied workload.
• Skills key to this position include communication, organization, attention to detail, adaptability, collaboration, personal impact, dependability, safety awareness, organizational sensitivity, and teamwork. 
• Knowledge of  Microsoft (Word, Excel, Powerpoint) and Google Suite products. 
• Must have a driver’s license and car to get to work sites.
• Must have the ability to listen, be patient, keep one’s eye on the big picture, be encouraging, be respectful, and be resilient. A sense of humor and curiosity is helpful! 
• Bilingual English/Spanish is highly preferred.

Physical Demands

The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle or touch objects, tools, or controls and speak fluently and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and bend. The employee must regularly lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds or more. The specific vision required by this job includes close vision.

Compensation

This is a full-time, year-round, benefits-eligible position that works 32 hours per week. Compensation discussions are a part of the interviewing process, and the starting range for this position is $17.43 – $19.81 per hour and negotiable based on the skills and experience an applicant brings to the position. 

 

Benefits

We take care of our staff through a wide range of benefits. For your wellness, we offer multiple medical plans, vision, dental, long-term disability, life insurance, and an employee assistance program. This includes generous vacation, sick, extended sick, and floating holiday leave programs, access to studios, free classes, meals during programming, and other discounts. In addition, we have other generous benefits which we can explore more during the interview process. 

 

To Apply

The position will remain open until filled. We will start to review applications after June 19, 2023. To apply, send a cover letter addressing relevant experience and interest in the position, résumé, at least two art lesson plans/descriptions that reflect your approach to teaching, and contact information for three references to Alyse Ostreicher, Human Resources Manager, employment@penland.org. Please include CC Program Coordinator & Teaching Artist as the subject of your email.