Fall Teaching Artist Internship

Fall Teaching Artist Internship

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.

 

We believe that equity, diversity, and inclusion are essential to fulfilling our mission. We want to inspire and nurture the human spirit, and we value the perspectives and contributions of all people. We want the Penland experience to include varied ideas, world views, and personal characteristics. Penland is committed to being a community that welcomes and respects everyone regardless of age, ability, ethnicity, race, religion, philosophical or political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, nationality, geographic origin, and socioeconomic status. We are committed to providing an environment free of discrimination. 

 

Position Summary

This position provides close exposure to the skills and teaching philosophy employed by Penland’s Teaching Artist Initiative. This position will support the program and gain experience of classroom arts education. Work includes materials preparation, classroom setup and maintenance, teaching assistance, and administrative support. Program activities take place in Penland’s teaching studio at Ridgeway, and in four local WNC partner schools. Hands-on activities include a variety of bookmaking and painting processes, working with over 300 students over the course of the semester. 

 

This experience begins in early September and ends in early December.  (Start and end dates have some flexibility). This experience is expected to work between 30 – 35 hours per week.

 

You will receive $200 per week, and housing will be provided. Additionally, meals will be provided at no charge when our dining hall is open.  If the dining hall is closed, we will not provide food, but there are kitchen facilities in the housing units. Class access is not provided, although  Informal studio space in the Ridgeway classroom will be available during non-teaching/program hours.

Penland will work with individuals seeking educational credit for the internship and meet any college or university requirements. Details can be discussed in the interview process. 

 

Responsibilities

  • Assist Penland’s Teaching Artist with the following:
  • Materials preparation, including cutting book boards, paper, processing materials orders
  • Assistance with hands-on classroom activities and teaching
  • Assistance with program documentation, including photography, note-taking, scheduling
  • Assistance with classroom preparation, maintenance, and cleanup
  • Curriculum research, planning, and writing
  • Other duties relevant to TAI programming

 

Qualifications

Intern should:

  • Have strong interest in education incorporating the arts, and a desire to work closely with an exceptional teaching artist
  • Have some teaching experience, or equivalent education
  • Have an interest in modeling one’s creative process in front of students
  • Be self-motivated
  • Possess outstanding written and verbal communications
  • Possess strong organizational skills
  • Have the ability to pay close attention to detail
  • Have the ability to successfully manage multiple projects at one time
  • Have the ability to work collaboratively in a diverse work environment
  • Have an interest in exploring the natural world
  • Be comfortable living in a rural environment
  • Be diplomatic
  • Have Windows software experience
  • Be flexible with schedule
  • Must bring own transportation to commute to program activities – mileage will be reimbursed
  • Must be able to pass county school background screening

 

To Apply 

The internship will remain open until filled; however, the initial review of applications will consist of applications received by June 12, 2023. Send resume and cover letter addressing relevant experience and interest in the internship, personal contact information, and email contact information for at least 3 references to Alyse Ostreicher, employment@penland.org. Please put 2023 Fall Teaching Artist Internship in the subject of the email.