ABOUT US: Side Street Projects (SSP) is a mobile, artist-run organization that supports artists, projects, and programs to foster leadership through socially engaged art and a DIY (Do it yourself) & DIT (Do it together) ethos.
We are devoted to community-centered artists through community-led programming that promotes creativity, well-being, and the potential for collective growth.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR: SSP hires Teaching Artists to work with students in schools and multigenerational audiences within our communities. We are seeking community-centered artists who are looking to serve our neighbors with a Trauma Informed Care approach. Priority is given to teachers who have the potential to teach across several programs and have full availability for at least 2 of the following programs.
Fire Survivors and BIPOC individuals encouraged to apply. We are accepting applications on a rolling basis.
Below is a list of youth education programming for which we are looking to fill positions, along with more information about Teaching Artist responsibilities:
Woodworking Program
This is SSP’s hand-tool-based woodworking curriculum. SSP Teaching Artists guide students (ages 5 - 15) in cultivating their art, design, and engineering knowledge by building wooden projects using raw materials, hand tools, and creativity on our “Woodworking Bus.” Our woodworking classes are co-taught in tandem with another Teaching Artist.
Our “Woodworking Buses” are renovated transit buses and trailers converted to fully functional classrooms containing everything needed to teach students creative problem-solving and how to use their tools safely, effectively, and confidently.
Daytime availability and weekend availability are preferred.
2nd Grade Public Art Program
SSP is the 2nd-grade My Masterpieces partner for the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD). We serve the entire 2nd grade and multiple SDA classrooms with this program. Our 2nd-grade curriculum includes a classroom pre-tour lesson (delivered by the PUSD teacher), a field trip to Pasadena City Hall to tour a series of Public Art pieces (led by one SSP Teaching Artist), and an in-class hands-on art workshop (led by two SSP Teaching Artists) in which students will design and fabricate a public art installation for their school.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday daytime availability is necessary.
Skillshares
Every month SSP hires a local artist to teach a free skillshare, a three hour workshop highlighting an artist's personal practice that they wish to share with the community. Along with the main artist, a teaching artist is assigned as an assistant to help facilitate the workshop. Teaching artists are also invited to propose their own lead workshop
SSP provides all the training and support needed to become a successful Teaching Artist in our community.
Saturday availability is required.
Misc. Teaching Artist tasks: Outside of the program responsibilities listed above, teaching artists are often offered extra hours for miscellaneous tasks, such as organizing material, staffing community events, onsite milling, onsite maintenance etc.
QUALIFICATIONS:
full availability for 2 or more of the above programs
3+ days of the week + Sat availability preferred
Have prior experience in teaching and working with youth in facilitating Arts Education. (We also welcome artists who may have yet to gain direct teaching experience but can express their strong desire to learn and develop a teaching/mentoring practice in art education.)
Strong interpersonal skills, including active listening, empathy, and clear communication, are highly valued.
Exhibit professionalism, reliability, and a strong work ethic.
Ability to adapt to different teaching environments, value diverse communities, and work within their resources.
Thrive in bright, bustling, and energetic environments.
Interest or experience with Trauma-Informed Care practices.
Experience working with *Justice-Impacted communities
*Justice-impacted refers to people and communities that face violence
and/or harm from systemic oppression (i.e., oppressions in the form of race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, citizenship status, ability, class, religion, etc.)
(Preferred Qualifications)
Valid California Driver’s License
Interest in driving large vehicles (i.e., Bus or truck w/ trailer).
Have the physical ability to perform tasks that may require prolonged standing, sitting, and other activities necessary to perform job duties.
Minimally must lift 20 pounds without assistance; may lift over 25 pounds with or without assistance.
Technologically adept for administrative tasks on an app or website, including scheduling and availability, timesheets, etc.
Have reliable transportation and the ability to arrive on time to work opportunities within Los Angeles County.
Having a personal artistic practice is a plus, along with any interest in taking the lead in potential Skillshare offerings of your expertise for community programming.
Bilingual in English and Spanish.
Compensation:
The base pay is $28 per hour with a guaranteed 3-hour teaching minimum (prep and clean-up time is paid), and partial mileage reimbursement is available for teaching opportunities. We offer 1% matching on a simple IRA retirement fund.
Work is seasonal based on school calendars + summer camps. Teaching artists are generally asked to commit to a semester at a time for our main programs, in addition to one-off events.
To apply, please email hiring@sidestreet.org with your resume and cover letter. Please keep cover letters to 250 words. Please make sure to include your availability/interest in our 3 main programs.