What are the responsibilities and job description for the Art Studio Manager position at Art Cafe NJ?
Art Cafe is a process art sensory play studio for kids 2-10YO and a cozy coffee shop for grownups. We are looking for an Art Studio Manager to lead and help manage our process art classes and ensure every child — and parent — feels inspired, welcomed, and cared for! You can learn more about Art Cafe at artcafenj.com.
What You’ll Do:
- Work directly with the Art Cafe co-founders to design class curriculum, including testing class ideas in the studio, iterating to create final project plans, and building descriptions of new class content
- Enthusiastically lead 1-hour process-art and creative engineering classes for kids ages 2–10, alongside a fellow facilitator
- Manage class set-up and clean-up, keeping the studio clean, organized, and prepared for all incoming classes
- Create engaging and safe spaces that encourage independence and gentle collaboration among our young creators
- Calmly and confidently support little ones through conflict resolution, support big feelings, and redirect in sensitive ways
- Engage with parents and caregivers warmly and professionally, making them feel heard, supported and like a part of the Art Cafe community
- Advance your career skills through ongoing professional development opportunities such as art methods training, business development training, and safety certifications (all Art Cafe staff will complete CPR certification)
- This is a part-time position that will cover 5-hour shifts in mornings (8am - 1pm) OR afternoons (12:30 - 5:30pm), with the expectation of working 5 days per week Tuesday-Saturday; Art Cafe is closed on Mondays
- On-site parking available for staff
You’ll Love This Role If…
- You are interested in spending your time empowering young people’s creativity in an environment where your ideas are celebrated and deeply valued
- You are excited by the opportunity to directly contribute to the success of a fast-growing, women-owned small business
- You have experience leading child-led and open-ended children’s activities in classrooms, workshops, or studio settings
- You feel a genuine connection to the importance of supporting children’s healthy development through creative play, and you hold a deep respect for children’s autonomy to engage with art in their own way and at their own pace
- You authentically connect with kids – warmly engaging, redirecting, and celebrating their creativity with calm confidence and clear communication
- You’re comfortable interacting with parents and caregivers, and understand the importance of making them feel heard and supported through open, empathetic communication
- You’re energized by creative, real-time problem-solving alongside energetic kiddos, and you feel fulfillment from creating immersive play spaces
- You hold a graduate degree in child development, early childhood education, art, or art therapy with excellent academic standing — or you bring 4-5 years of proven experience teaching children in creative settings
- Bonus if you’re CPR certified!
- Complete background checks are required for all Art Cafe employees
Why Join Us?
We opened Art Cafe with a mission: to deliver child-led experiences that empower young people’s innate creativity and promote their wellbeing. At Art Cafe, we believe children deserve the space, time, and trust to follow their own creative intuition.
As an Art Studio Manager, you’ll be at the heart of this mission every day: creating joyful, imaginative play and learning environments that give children confidence, resilience, and the freedom to discover their own creative superpower.
Ready to bring this mission to life in your own way? Apply today, we can’t wait to hear from you!
- Part-time | $23/hr
- 5-hr shifts: 8:00am-1:00pm OR 12:30-5:30pm | 5 days per week, Tuesday–Saturday
- Location: Westfield, NJ
- Start Date: Dec. 15, 2025 | Classes Begin: Jan. 13, 2026
- Art Cafe is closed for Christmas and New Years
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $23.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
Salary : $23