Resident Teaching Artist and Arts Education Project Coordinator (Chautauqua Arts Education)/Career Opportunity

The Resident Teaching Artist and Arts Education Project Coordinator will serve as the sole full-time, year-round teaching artist in the Chautauqua Arts Education School Residencies program and serve as support staff for all Chautauqua Arts Education programming, including serving as tour manager for the Opera in the Schools program and providing administrative support for the department activities. Chautauqua Arts Education programs serve over 20 school districts in Chautauqua County, reaching thousands of students over the course of the school year. This position will be trained by and report to the Director of Arts Education. 

This position is funded through 2027, with the intent to obtain financial support to continue. 

About the Work 

The areas of responsibility listed below are of core importance to this position: 

• Resident Teaching Artist of the Feelin’ the Beat Drumming Program (60% of the position)  

• • During paid training period over the course of 10-15 weeks, attend all training sessions and apprentice teaching sessions 

• • Work with classroom teachers to assess student needs and abilities to establish learning and artistic objectives for each residency 

• • Implement and adapt lesson plans based on established curriculum to meet objectives developed collaboratively with classroom teachers 

• • Conduct ongoing assessment of student progress towards objectives and adapt curriculum & lesson planning as needed 

• • Schedule residencies, working in collaboration with school administration and teachers 

• • Document informal and formal assessments 

• • Communicate with school administration and faculty 

• • Maintain and transport drums and other related equipment to and from Chautauqua Institution, schools, and classrooms in the school environment 

• Arts Education Project Coordinator (40% of the position)  

• • Serve as tour manager/stage manager for the Opera in the Schools program 

• • Provide support for visiting teaching artists for various Arts Education programs including liaising between them and school personnel 

• • Serve as event coordinator and group guide for field trips during the school year and during the Summer Assembly Season 

• • Coordinate scheduling for educational programming in the arts 

• • In collaboration with Director of Arts Education, collect and process student and teacher engagement data for reporting purposes 

About You

Education and Experience 

• An associate degree or higher is preferred or equivalent experience, with a background in Education, Music Education, Music Therapy, Special Education or a related Arts field 

• As the core work performed includes teaching students with disabilities in a classroom setting; experience in interacting with young people with disabilities from age 3-22 is preferred.  

• Chautauqua Institution values inclusive, strengths-based approaches to education and welcomes candidates who bring lived experience, professional expertise, or a demonstrated commitment to disability inclusion and accessibility. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Experience teaching or supporting individuals with diverse abilities, learning styles and access needs in educational settings. 

• Beginning level or higher training in music 

• Experience working with PreK-12 students in an educational capacity 

• Detail-oriented 

• Strong written and oral communication 

• Schedule management and coordination 

• Independent time management and reliability in completing assigned administrative tasks and navigating a classroom schedule that aligns with school needs. 

• Flexible and adaptable attitude 

• Collaboration 

• Patience 

• Compassion 

• Must have valid, unexpired driver’s license 

Physical Requirements  

• Ability to perform the essential functions of the role, with or without reasonable accommodation, to complete the following: 

• • Lift, carry, load, and transport equipment on a regular basis (including drums and related materials). 

• • Stand, move, and remain active for extended periods of time while teaching, rehearsing, or coordinating programs in classrooms, auditoriums, and school facilities. 

• • Travel between multiple school locations throughout Chautauqua County, including entering and exiting school buildings and navigating classrooms, hallways, and performance spaces. 

• • Bend, reach, kneel, and set up instructional equipment, including drums, as part of teaching and program delivery. 

• • Communicate effectively with students, educators, and staff in active, sometimes noisy classroom or performance environments. 

Travel and Requirements 

The Resident Teaching Artist must use their personal vehicle to travel to participating school districts each day, according to the schedule, and to transport drumming equipment from Chautauqua and between schools.  This travel occurs throughout the year, including during winter conditions when school districts are operating with or without a delay.  

Total Rewards for Our Talent 

Compensation for this position starts at $20/hour and qualified candidates may earn up to $22/hour. Additionally, this person will receive a travel payment to offset the cost of using their personal vehicle to transport equipment. Chautauqua Institution’s competitive compensation and benefits suite include a national health insurance network with Highmark, flexible spend (or health savings) account options, dental and vision insurance, complimentary life insurance, wellness incentives, an employee assistance program, supplemental life insurance, and long-term disability options.  The Institution supports planning for retirement through a discretionary employer retirement plan contribution, which has recently been 6% of gross compensation following the designated service period.

About Your Department

The CI Arts Education programs serve over 20 school districts in Chautauqua County, reaching thousands of students over the course of each school year. The primary focus of its work takes place during the school year, September through June. Chautauqua Arts Education programs currently include: School Residencies (Feelin’ the Beat drumming), Young Playwrights Project (grades 3-4 theater/ELA), Opera in the Schools (elementary school opera lessons and performance), Professional Development for Teachers (arts integrated workshops for classroom teachers), and various field trips for K-12 students throughout the year. Chautauqua Arts Education also offers some programming during the Summer Assembly Season. 

About Your Work Schedule & Location 

This position requires work on-site in schools throughout Chautauqua County and at Chautauqua Institution’s main campus in Southwestern New York. The schedule is full-time, working an average of 37.5 hours per week. During the school year (September-June) the schedule may include early morning/daytime hours during the weekdays, and occasionally weekends. During the Summer Assembly Season, the schedule may include daytime and evening hours, weekdays and weekends. 

Most Arts Education programming, including the School Residency program, is conducted in public and private schools, mostly in Chautauqua County, NY. The teaching schedule varies, dependent on school need, varying from 3-6 hours per school, not including travel time. This position may be asked to teach in multiple schools per week or day, as schedule allows. This position will be expected to utilize their personal vehicle to travel and transport teaching equipment (drums) to the school locations. 

Aspects of this position may be able to be considered for remote work – however the majority of this position will be held on-site in area schools. 

About Chautauqua Institution 

Chautauqua Institution is a not-for-profit global convener of dialogue on the most significant issues of the day through engagement across four pillars of the arts, education, religion, and recreation. The Chautauqua community is located on the shores of Chautauqua Lake in southwestern New York State and comes alive each summer with a unique mix of visual and performing arts, lectures, interfaith worship/programs, and recreational activities.  Chautauqua Institution owns and operates Chautauqua Hotel Company, a comprehensive hotel, food & beverage, conference, and events organization.  

About the Referral Program 

Chautauqua Institution’s Referral Bonus Program is a talent solution to recruit, develop, and retain a diverse workforce that encompasses all the skills and experience necessary to deliver on our goals and objectives. Chautauqua Institution will provide a $500 referral bonus (less taxes) for active employees referring a new candidate who is hired and remains employed for at least 90-days from the first physical date of work. In the case of seasonal positions working less than 6-months, the new candidate must remain actively employed for at least 30-days from the first physical date of work and until the closing date of the season. The closing date of the season is the last Sunday in August.  

Discovering Your Chautauqua Experience 

There are countless ways that our talent will engage with our mission, vision, and diverse communities, and you are invited to immerse yourself in our programming as a gateway to this experience.  Employees will receive a traditional Chautauqua gate pass, free of cost, which provides access to many of our programs at the Amphitheater.  

Our Commitment to IDEA 

Chautauqua Institution values Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA) as a priority in our strategic plan, 150 Forward. One of our five core values is “The dignity and contributions of all people.”  We are committed to creating conditions where everyone can engage as complete and valued participants in the Chautauqua experience.  The Institution is an equal opportunity employer committed to equitable and inclusive hiring practices.  Applicants and employees will not be discriminated against based on any status protected under federal, state, or local law. We especially welcome applications from those who can demonstrate experience, engagement, and professional expertise in IDEA. 

Joining Our Talent Community 

Join our talent community online at CHQ.org/employment.  You are encouraged to learn more about Chautauqua Institution at CHQ.org and view the 150 Forward Strategic Plan at 150fwd.CHQ.org.