Assistant Instructor

WHO WE ARE | The Saugatuck Center for the Arts is a community-based art center transforming lives through innovative education, bold entertainment, and unexpected engagement.  We are a community asset, a collaborative partner, and are deeply committed to building a stronger, more vibrant regional arts & cultural landscape. 

WHAT WE DO |The SCA Education Team provides time and space for creativity for all ages We believe that students benefit from our project-based, hands-on programs. We facilitate experimentation, play, and working alongside professional artists/creatives. We celebrate process over product so we aren’t afraid to make a mess, try something new, and glean new perspectives. 

The educational structure of the SCA is twofold: we aim to provide students with the utmost valuable creative touchpoints by hiring exceptional instructors, while simultaneously giving our instructors life-changing professional experiences as members of the “Joy Squad” (this is the term we use affectionately in reference to our summer team of instructors, assistant instructors, and interns). 

The edu(creators) that form the Joy Squad come from a variety of backgrounds and levels of experience: some may be biology majors, Spanish teachers, art students, or year-round art educators.  We believe that these varied perspectives enrich the ways we teach students to approach creativity with curiosity and excitement.  Members of the Joy Squad gain life-long professional experience when they teach with the SCA as they grow in their own leadership skills and teaching styles by leading youth through new discoveries, fresh observations, artistic growth, and personal successes. 

This summer, the SCA is offering a variety of camps: 4-day camps, 2-day camps,  and our Mini Makers series. We offer programs for ages 3 to 12. Many of our camps offer opportunities to travel off-site to locations in Saugatuck, Douglas, and Holland. Camps typically run in the mornings through early afternoons. 

THIS POSITION | JOY SQUAD: ASSISTANT INSTRUCTOR

The SCA Education Team is seeking Assistant Instructors to join the Joy Squad in facilitating Summer Camps and Outreach Programs. Assistant Instructors will work closely with the Arts Outreach Educator, Lead Instructors, and Guest Artists to promote accessible, creative, healthy learning.

WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING

• Work directly with Lead Instructor(s) to facilitate camps
• Assist with classroom management
• Prepare materials,  snacks, and other activities as needed
• Assist campers and provide support to instructional team
• Lead story-time, movement and mindfulness activities as needed
• Travel to off-site locations as scheduled to lead programming
• Assist with transporting materials to off-site locations
• Assist with set-up and clean up of camp (arrive 1 hour early to each camp taught) 

WHAT SKILLS YOU’LL NEED TO SHINE IN THIS POSITION

• Take direction well, work unsupervised, and take initiative 
• Work both independently and collaboratively 
• Flourish in a team-teaching environment 
• Organize and handle multiple tasks at once
• Show exemplary interpersonal skills 
• Have an outgoing, engaging personality 
• Feel comfortable conducting kinesthetic activities (yoga) 
• Be deadline and detail oriented 
• Assist with parent communications
• Think creatively and resourcefully and share ideas 
• Completed at least 1-2 years at a university or college or have at least 5 years of equivalent experience
• Has experience (12 months +)  working with children 

• Preferred majors include: Education, Art Education, Early Childhood, Non- Profit Management, Art History, Fine Art

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN

• Valuable classroom teaching experience with a range of ages and skill levels 
• Experience implementing thoughtful curriculum 
• Connection to local creatives and educators 
• Experience working alongside professional artists 
• Teaching and nonprofit experience 
• The opportunity to interact with other professionals in the business, community, academic and nonprofit sectors 
• Knowledge that you are making a difference in your community and the lives of children

POSITION IS SUPERVISED BY | Arts Outreach Educator

COMMITMENT | This is a part-time seasonal position, approximately 12  – 25  hours a week through the months of June, July, and August. There are opportunities to teach multiple camps, depending on your skill set, interest, and availability.

COMPENSATION*| $15 hourly , paid bi-weekly throughout the summer season

*Education credit from a University or College is also available. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange for college credit at his/her school. We are happy to assist by completing requested evaluations, reports, or other documentation. 

TO APPLY | Please submit a resume, cover letter and (4) examples of your personal artwork or (1) lesson you have written. All pieces are mandatory to be considered for an interview.