What are the responsibilities and job description for the Photography Instructor position at Athens Photo Project?
Position Title: Photography Instructor (multiple part-time positions available)
Hours: Part-Time
Location: Based at 434 West Union St., Athens, OH with programming in Athens, Hocking, & Vinton counties
Reports to: Program Director
Application Deadline: Until Filled
About the Athens Photographic Project
The Athens Photographic Project (APP) is a peer-run community arts nonprofit that supports adults and teens living with mental health and substance use challenges. We provide access to photography as a tool for self-expression, personal growth, social connection, and community change. For 25 years, our artists, staff, and partners have worked together to establish photography as an innovative and essential component of mental health support in Southeast Ohio.
APP programs integrate arts learning, peer support, recovery principles, and social engagement. Each year APP artists participate in our photography classes, workshops, field trips, and exhibitions. Our artists are recognized regionally and nationally for their insight, creativity, and mental health advocacy.
Position Overview
The Photography Instructor is a collaborative and community-minded arts educator who teaches photography classes, provides arts mentorship, and coordinates community programming. APP programming occurs throughout the community and region, including at residential facilities, partner organizations, and APP studios.
This role balances arts learning, relationship-building, community engagement, and recovery support. We are seeking a caring, collaborative, and creative individual who believes in the transformative power of the arts and is committed to ensuring that people living with mental health and substance use challenges have access to high-quality arts experiences.
Key Responsibilities
- Teach photography classes according to APP’s program schedule.
- Lead classes in collaboration with Peer Recovery Specialists, volunteers, and interns.
- Deliver and adapt sequential curricula (with Program Director approval) including photo history, camera technique, assignments, activities, and art critique appropriate for the group’s skill level and recovery support goals.
- Provide individual arts mentorship to enrolled artists.
- Maintain a recovery-oriented, supportive, and inclusive learning environment.
- Manage a digital archive of student artwork.
- Provide mental health support for participating artists, including timely communication with personal and professional supports, support of individual goals, and behavioral health referrals.
- Collaborate with behavioral health providers to facilitate APP classes as a component of Community Psychiatric Treatment Support (CPST) and Therapeutic Behavioral Support (TBS).
- Engage in planning, training, and collaboration with the Executive Director and staff, including professional development in behavioral health and community arts.
Minimum Qualifications
- Minimum of a bachelor’s degree required.
- Skills and experience in photography and self-expression.
- Knowledge of photo history, camera operation, and digital editing/archiving.
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Experience in classroom leadership and group facilitation.
- Ability to engage with community organizations and partners.
- Bachelor’s degree in photography, art, art education, art therapy, or a related field.
- Experience supervising or collaborating with volunteers or assistants.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain supportive relationships.
- Excellent organization and time management skills.
- The ability to work collaboratively with supervisors and colleagues.
- Knowledge and practice of self-care and healthy boundaries.
- We recognize lived experience with mental health or substance use recovery as valuable expertise.
Compensation and Benefits
- Pay Rate: $21/hour
- Paid Time Off: Accrued PTO
- Professional Development: Ongoing training in the integration of mental health and photography.
How to Apply
For more information or clarification about the position, please contact APP Program Director Lacy Davis at lacy@athensphotoproject.org. To apply, email Lacy a cover letter and resume.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: $21.00 per hour
Expected hours: 10 – 30 per week
Benefits:
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
Work Location: In person
Salary : $21