Summer Art Camp Lead Educator, Part-time

Position: Seasonal Art Camps Lead Teacher - Summer

Welcome to the Denver Art Museum, where we believe that art can make a difference in peoples' lives by celebrating & stimulating creativity and inspiring greater understanding & connection with our world. The DAM aspires to be a beloved anchor in Denver's cultural & creative ecosystem and a national beacon for the ingenuity & boldness of our community. Are you ready to join a dynamic team of creative, motivated people who are passionate about delivering world-class experiences? If so, please proceed! In turn, the Denver Art Museum delivers competitive wages and benefits in a work environment that promotes excellence and rewards dedication and commitment.

In order to best serve our current and future visitors we strive to maximize the diversity, equity, and inclusiveness of our organization. Therefore, we encourage candidates that represent and embody the diversity found within our community to apply.

Position Purpose

This position will report to the Manager of Youth Programs and works closely with the Summer Camp Assistant in the L&E Department. Lead art teachers provide campers with a safe, creative, inclusive, and fun learning experience. These individuals will

• Welcome kids from all communities.
• Engage kids in making connections with art and other cultures.
• Empower kids in an art museum to express their thoughts and opinions about art.
• Build an inclusive environment to encourage a sense of belonging and comfort.
• Introduce campers to new artistic practices and art forms from around the world.
• Meet campers where they are to support a variety of different learning styles.
• Support the social & emotional development of children in camp.

Summer camps for kids will run from June 9-August 8, 2025. Ideally, teachers would commit to working a minimum of 2 weeks for the summer, though they are welcome to teach more sessions depending on interest and availability. Each teacher is required to attend an orientation/training on June 5 and 6 and will work during camp weeks for a minimum of 37.5 hours/week and no more than 40 hours/week. They will also be compensated for 10 hours of prep work at the start of camps, including research and lesson plan preparation, per week. If teaching a repeat camp for a different age group, teachers will be compensated an additional 5 hours of prep work for each remaining week after the first. Camp sessions run from9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Teachers are expected to report from 8:30 am to 4:00 pm to prepare their classrooms before camp and to clean up after each day.

Job Description/Responsibilities:

Lead Teachers will be responsible for developing and implementing art-based lesson plans that connect to the DAM collection. They will guide up to 20 campers through in-gallery experiences and art projects relating to these experiences. Lead Teachers will:

• Develop and deliver lesson plans and instructional materials
• Compile a supply list (within given budget)
• Visit the DAM ahead of time to plan lessons and choose which specific galleries to use with campers
• Set up and organize workshops
• Prep materials
• Work collaboratively and thoughtfully with a co-facilitator (Seasonal Educator) assigned by the DAM. This includes sharing lesson plans with the Seasonal Educator ahead of time and dividing tasks through the day. Seasonal Educators are not aides but co-facilitators and should be treated as such.
• Set classroom expectations with campers for appropriate camp behavior
• Greet students and track attendance
• Use a variety of instruction strategies, such as inquiry, group discussion, lecture, discovery, etc. both in the galleries and in classroom
• Plan and include engaging in-gallery activities and experiences each day for campers
• Integrate a teaching practice that centers equity and diversity in their camp
• Facilitate and support campers with artmaking projects
• Plan a culminating end-of-class gallery walk or presentation with campers for their family and friends
• Utilize effective and compassionate classroom management techniques, including social-emotional and/or behavioral interventions if needed
• Communicate with caregiver(s) as needed

Qualifications

• Formal or informal teaching experience with children
• Passion for art and arts-integrated learning
• Experience with artmaking and object-based learning
• Experience with culturally responsive and interdisciplinary teaching styles
• Experience with classroom management & curriculum design
• Ability to help children navigate social-emotional needs; familiarity with trauma-informed approaches is preferred

Compensation: $30/hour

Benefits: A free RTD Eco Pass. A free DAM Family Membership. 4 personal hours plus Colorado HFWA paid sick leave. Employee Assistance Program. Subscription to Headspace. This position is based at the Denver Art Museum, which only has pay to park options.

We know that searching for a job can be stressful so we would like to give you an overview of the process to manage expectations. This role will require an interview with hiring manager and/or panel that will be held virtually. Part of this interview may require a live teaching demo, however candidates DO NOT need to prepare any materials for this ahead of time.

DENVER ART MUSEUM:

As an institution, we believe the Denver Art Museum is both a platform for and an amplifier of the voices of people of all races. We acknowledge that Black lives matter and communities of color - Latinx, Indigenous, Black, and others - have been underrepresented in art museums over decades, both internally and externally. We are committed to elevating all voices, artworks and perspectives and strive to support racial equity inside and out.

We prohibit discrimination against any person or organization based on age, race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, political service or affiliation, genetic information, or disability, as well as any other status protected by federal, state or local law.

We strive to provide a professional and positive work environment for our employees. The Museum expressly prohibits any form of employee harassment on the basis of age, race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender identity, gender expression, ancestry, marital status, veteran status, political service or affiliation, genetic information, disability or any other applicable status protected by federal, state or local law. Actions based on these or any legally protected characteristic will not be tolerated.

We encourage the freedom of gender expression and/or gender presentation. As an institution, we do not create barriers that may prevent any employee from expressing behaviors, mannerisms, interests, and appearances that represent their authentic personality or culture. Qualified candidates are expected to exemplify the DAM's internal values, which include being dynamic, respectful, inclusive, creative, and curious. The ability to maintain effective and positive working relationships with visitors, employees, volunteers, representatives of public and private entities, policy making bodies, and contractors is critical to the success of this position.