Artist Instructor

Join an inspiring community of visual artists committed to teaching!

Studio in a School (Studio) is hiring practicing visual artists with experience working with young people, for in person, part-time, contractual teaching positions at public schools, early education centers, and other community-based organizations throughout New York City.

Artist Instructors will join a team of dedicated artists who provide visual arts instruction in drawing, painting, collage, printmaking, and sculpture. Together, we work with diverse communities across the city, offering art education experiences in schools that often do not have an art teacher. We are looking for artists that live in or are willing to travel to sites in the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. Artist Instructors will also be expected to become a member of United Autoworkers Union Local 2110.

Artist Instructors collaborate with classroom teachers to lead art lessons in all five boroughs. Artists may work in multiple programs from one to four days per week throughout the academic school year. Residencies typically begin in November/December and continue until the end of June. Goals, responsibilities, and duration of teaching assignments vary by program.

For more information about Studio in a School programs, visit our program page.

About Studio in a School
Studio in a School fosters the creative and intellectual development of young people through quality visual arts programs, directed by professional Artist Instructors, arts and cultural internships, and apprentice-based learning in the arts. The organization also collaborates with and develops the capacity of classroom teachers, school leadership, and others who provide or support arts programming and creative development for young people both in and outside of school.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities
• Teach residencies ranging in length from six weeks to one year.
• Teach at least two full days/week during school hours (8 AM- 3 PM).
• Teach a range of media including painting, drawing, sculpture, collage, and printmaking.
• Adapt instruction for a variety of diverse learners.
• Collaborate and communicate with classroom teachers, school staff, and Studio staff on an ongoing basis.
• Attend planning meetings with teachers, school administrators, and Studio staff at the beginning of each residency.
• Install exhibitions of student work at the culmination of each residency.
• Order, organize and manage art supplies.
• Complete administrative tasks in a timely manner, including keeping records, organizing student work, and corresponding to emails.
• Attend new artist orientation and ongoing trainings each year.
• Travel to schools/CBOs in locations across New York City including the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.
• Other duties as assigned.

We are seeking applicants with the following skills and experience
• Commitment to the mission of Studio in a School.
• Bachelor’s degree in Visual Art, Art Education, Art History, or arts-related field strongly encouraged.
• At least one year of experience teaching young people in New York City.
• Ability to work at least 2 full days/week during school hours (8 AM- 3 PM).
• Active professional visual art practice.
• Foundational skills in painting, drawing, and sculpture.
• Interest in teaching many different media including painting, drawing, sculpture, collage, and printmaking.
• Respect for and celebration of diversity and diverse communities.
• Strong collaboration skills.
• High interpersonal skills, which include being flexible, responsive, and proactive.
• Strong communication and organizational skills for tasks such as record keeping, ordering supplies, and email correspondence.
• Interest in and availability for ongoing trainings and sharing meetings.
• Bilingual/multilingual skills are a plus.
• NYC Public Schools Fingerprint and Background Check Clearance upon employment.

Location
• Artist Instructors will travel to schools/CBOs and teach in-person in locations across New York City including the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.

Benefits
• Set pursuant to a union contract and include Paid Sick Time, Pre-tax Commuter Benefits, 403b Retirement Plan, AFLAC supplemental benefits, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), etc. Depending on the number of hours worked, Artist Instructors may be eligible for coverage under Studio’s group health plans.

Pay Rate
• The hourly rate is $53.00, set pursuant to a union contract.

To apply

Please click on "Apply" in the job posting. You will need to include a resume featuring your teaching experience and training in visual art. We also ask that you submit a cover letter telling us why you would like to work with us. Please do not send images. We will ask for images later in the hiring process. No phone calls please. Due to the very high volume of applications, we will only be reaching out to applicants we are inviting to interviews.

*The deadline to apply for the 2026-2027 school year is July 31, 2026. Candidates who are invited for a first-round interview will be notified in early September.

If much of this job description describes you, please apply for this role. Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet all the qualifications. We recognize this and encourage those with relevant skills and experience to apply.

Studio in a School is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to hire staff members who reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. All positions at Studio in a School are filled without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, employment status, HIV/AIDS status, veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. All are encouraged to apply.