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

A Penland internship offers a unique opportunity to live and work in a dynamic, creative educational community and work with accomplished professionals in a mutual learning and knowledge-sharing environment. Community Collaborations manages community programs for Penland. Our summer camps serve youth ages 3 – 17 in one- and two-week long half and full-day formats.  The intern will work intensively with 10 teaching artists over the course of the summer session, experiencing a variety of teaching styles, techniques, and approaches to instruction. This internship is an excellent opportunity for an arts education student or developing teaching artist to gain classroom experience. This position provides intensive support for camp activities. The position is full-time (approximately 40 hours/week) and is managed by the Community Collaborations Program Coordinator. 

 

This experience begins on June 1 and concludes on August 4, 2023.

 

You will receive $200 per week, and housing and meals will be provided at no charge to you for the duration of the internship period.  If the dining hall is closed, we will not provide food, but there are kitchen facilities in the housing units. Class and studio access are not provided. 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 

 

Before and after the camp season:

• Work with the Program Coordinator to prepare the classrooms and playground before the season begins.
• Participate in deep cleaning and returning furniture to its place at the end of the camp season to ready classrooms for the school year.
• Finalize paperwork and photo documentation before leaving for the season.

 

Daily Tasks

• Report to the classroom 30 minutes before the start of camp each day to assist with set up.
• Welcome students and manage the daily check-in and check-out process.
• Assist with camp activities as guided by the instructors and the Program Coordinator.
• Prepare, serve, and clean up after snacks.
• Work during lunch when all-day camp is in session. A box lunch will be provided.
• Share clean-up tasks with instructors at the end of each day. These include washing dishes, emptying compost, wiping tables, sanitizing surfaces in bathrooms, and sweeping floors.
• Occasional kiln monitoring outside of camp hours during clay camps.

 

Weekly Tasks

• Conduct a brief instructor orientation on Sunday or Monday before each camp begins.
• Manage the first aid kits and student emergency folders.
• Monitor the playground hazards (ie. wasps/bees, poison ivy, etc.)
• Photograph camp activities and upload images.
• Collect student evaluations and enter their responses in a spreadsheet.

 

Qualifications

• Love working with children and have the ability to nurture a fun and positive camp environment. Prefer one year of experience working with children, preferably with a range of ages.
• Coursework in the field of education and/or strong interest in the arts preferred.
• Ability to successfully attend to an individual child’s needs while also keeping an eye on the group.
• Ability to be diplomatic and maintain composure with a diverse group of children with varying needs.
• Ability to work both collaboratively and independently.
• Strong communication skills and flexibility with changing needs.
• Spanish speaking is a plus.
• Strong organizational skills and close attention to detail. 
• Must have current COVID vaccination and boosters or a school-approved exemption.

 

Physical Demands

This position requires an intern to walk unaided up and down hills and over uneven terrain, bend, stoop, reach above their head, use fine and gross motor skills, and work in close quarters. They must have normal visual acuity at a near and far distance with correction and hear the spoken word with correction. The individual must be fluent in English. The position demands frequent exposure to inclement weather. While performing this job’s duties, the intern must regularly sit and work at a computer. They are frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or touch objects, tools, or controls and talk fluently. They must occasionally lift and/or move heavy objects weighing up to 75 pounds. 

 

To Apply 

 

The internship will remain open until filled; however, the initial review of applications will consist of applications received by February 1, 2023. Send a cover letter and resume addressing relevant experience and interest in the internship, personal contact information, and email contact information for at least three references to employment@penland.org.  Please put 2023 Summer Camp Internship in the subject of the email.  

 

We look forward to hearing from you!