Caricature Artist and Character Engagement Youth Educator

Job Description

EYL 365 Project is currently accepting applications for Caricature Artist and Character Engagement Youth Educators for the 2026 school year. We are seeking passionate and experienced Caricature Artist and Character Engagement Youth & Senior Citizen Educators with a strong interest in Social Justice and Racial Equity Arts Education. This position is for in school and/or after school residency at our DCPS Ward 7 & 8 partner schools, as well as Senior Citizen workshops . Educators must have demonstrated previous experience teaching Caricature Artist and Character Engagement techniques ideally in Washington, DC Public School settings and creative centers. Additional experience with entrepreneurship, marketing and branding is also a plus!

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES

• Date: Early May (exact date to be confirmed)

Time(s): 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM and 4:30 - 6PM

Location: To be announced (Ward 7 area)

Pay Rate: $60 per hour

Position Overview:

Artists will provide live caricature drawings while also engaging with participants in character to create a fun, interactive, and memorable experience for seniors.

Responsibilities:

Create quick, high quality caricature drawings for attendees

Engage with participants in a lively, respectful, and entertaining manner

Maintain a positive and welcoming presence throughout the event

Set up and manage personal materials and workspace

Preferred Qualifications:

Strong caricature portfolio

Experience working events, especially with seniors or community audiences

Ability to engage participants in character or themed interaction

Professional, reliable, and personable

• Create a fun and engaging environment, encouraging creativity and participation from all attendees, regardless of their skill level.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• The power to teach young ones that knowledge and creativity are true magic
• The sincere drive to be a positive role model and promote good sportsmanship
• Workshops are 1-2.5hrs in length, potentially longer if there's a Field Trip.
• Ability to promote a feeling of security and trust in children by being warm, supportive, and comforting.
• Are enthusiastic and passionate about working with young children and adults.
• Ability to commute to contracted locations.
• Curriculum development and lesson planning.
• Able to effectively collaborate with other teaching staff (when necessary)
• Ability to work well in an inner-city environment.
• Applicants will undergo a thorough background check and fingerprint
• Mediate any conflicts that may arise between students.
• Availability to work after-school hours
• At least 2-3 years of teaching experience (leading hands-on activities in a classroom, after school program, day camp, senior centers etc.)
• Familiarity with project-based learning (preferred, though not required)
• Familiarity with foundational engineering concepts (preferred, though not required)
• The ability to manage multiple student projects and personalities
• To Be Considered, Please Submit: Resume and samples of recent caricature work

Qualifications

• Expertise in an arts discipline exhibited through an educational degree and/or professional accomplishment (published writing, exhibited artwork, performance experience etc.).
• Minimum two years full-time (or the equivalent, e.g. 4 years part time) teaching an arts discipline in a school and/or community-based setting. Teaching experience in DC public schools preferred.
• Bachelor's degree and/or Masters degree in arts discipline or related area.
• Department of Education fingerprinting (DCPS) will be required

Responsibilities

Instruction:

• Providing instruction in the arts (development of skills in arts disciplines consistent with EYL 365 Project Blueprint) and through the arts (the achievement of academic goals as outlined in a school’s curriculum) by:
• Teaching and planning for 2 in-schools per week and/or possibly as many as 4 after schools per week;
• Developing long term project-based unit designs in collaboration with classroom teachers;
• Assessing student learning based on learning goals and objectives;
• Organizing at least 2 sharings of student work with teaching partners and TA colleagues at the school.
• Working in close collaboration with classroom teacher partners to:
• Plan lessons and projects during one in person 45-minute planning session per week (and via email and phone as well, when necessary);
• Share skills with the teacher to build capacity for arts instruction at the school;
• Co-teach lessons in which both TA and teacher partner have clear roles and responsibilities for generating student learning;
• Coordinate at least one trip to a DC cultural institution and/or one guest artist per class with a connection to learning in the classroom.

EYL 365 Project Youth Educators are highly skilled artists and educators, committed to creating equitable learning spaces through collaborative teaching practices and social justice pedagogy. They report directly to the Program Director and are supported by EYL 365 Project Department Heads and Program Coordinators. They work closely with classroom teachers, school administrators, and teaching artists to positively impact school communities.

*A note: After schools are typically not co-taught with classroom teachers but are designed in collaboration with the school administration.

Pay: $40.00 - $60.00 per hour

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person

Salary : $40 - $60