Atelierista

About Tribeca Community School

Founded in 2006 in the Tribeca neighborhood of New York City, Tribeca Community School (TCS) is a Reggio Emilia–inspired preschool serving children ages two through five. For nearly two decades, TCS has been recognized for its thoughtful, child-centered approach to early childhood education, where relationships, inquiry, creativity, and collaboration are at the heart of learning.

We believe children construct knowledge through meaningful experiences, play, investigation, and the expressive arts. Our work is grounded in constructivist and social constructivist theories of learning and inspired by the educational experience of Reggio Emilia, Italy. We view the atelier as an essential part of children's learning—a place where ideas are explored, theories are tested, and thinking becomes visible through the many languages of expression.

Position Overview

The Atelierista is a creative collaborator who works alongside children and classroom teachers to deepen learning through materials, artistic expression, documentation, and long-term investigations. Rather than serving as a traditional art teacher, the Atelierista is an integral member of the learning community, supporting children's thinking by thoughtfully introducing materials, designing meaningful provocations, and creating opportunities for children to represent and revisit their ideas.

Working across classrooms, the Atelierista brings a unique artistic perspective that enriches children's investigations and inspires teachers through daily collaboration. By exploring alongside children and colleagues, the Atelierista helps cultivate a culture of curiosity, creativity, reflection, and research throughout the school.

Key Responsibilities

Collaboration & Project Work

• Partner with classroom teachers to extend children's ongoing investigations through materials, artistic processes, and the many languages of expression.
• Participate in curriculum conversations to understand emerging classroom work and identify opportunities for deeper exploration.
• Collaborate with teachers to design meaningful provocations, experiences, and environments that encourage inquiry and creative thinking.
• Inspire teachers through shared exploration, experimentation, and reflection, introducing new materials, techniques, and possibilities that enrich classroom practice.
• Foster collaboration across classrooms, creating connections between children's ideas and investigations throughout the school.

Atelier Practice

• Design and facilitate experiences in the central atelier and within classrooms that invite experimentation, problem-solving, and creative expression.
• Introduce children to a wide variety of materials and expressive languages, including drawing, painting, clay, sculpture, wire, printmaking, construction, light and shadow, loose parts, natural materials, textiles, and mixed media.
• Support children in using materials as tools for thinking, communicating, revisiting ideas, and making meaning.
• Thoughtfully curate, organize, and maintain atelier materials so they remain beautiful, accessible, and inspiring.

Documentation & Making Learning Visible

• Observe and document children's learning through photography, video, written observations, and visual displays.
• Create documentation that makes children's thinking and learning processes visible to families, teachers, and the broader school community.
• Collaborate with teachers to create documentation panels, exhibitions, and displays that celebrate children's ideas while supporting reflection and future planning.

Environment & Materials

• Maintain a beautiful, organized, and welcoming atelier that reflects the school's values and respect for children.
• Care for and manage studio materials, ensuring they are thoughtfully selected, maintained, and replenished.
• Contribute to the aesthetic quality of learning environments throughout the school.

School Community

• Participate as an active member of the teaching community through meetings, collaborative planning, and school events.
• Share children's creative work and learning processes with families through exhibitions, documentation, and community events.
• Contribute to a warm, reflective, and collaborative school culture grounded in respect for children, families, and colleagues.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Studio Art, Art Education, Early Childhood Education, Design, or a related field.
• Experience working with a wide range of artistic materials and creative processes.
• Experience working with young children in educational or community settings.
• Strong organizational skills and an eye for aesthetics, design, and presentation.
• Experience with photography, digital documentation, and Mac-based software.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Preferred

• Experience in a Reggio Emilia–inspired or progressive early childhood setting.
• Knowledge of constructivist and social constructivist approaches to learning.
• Experience supporting long-term project work and documentation.

Personal Qualities

We are looking for someone who:

• Is deeply curious about children's thinking and creative processes.
• Sees materials as languages for exploration, communication, and discovery.
• Brings creativity, warmth, flexibility, and joy to their work.
• Enjoys collaborating with teachers and inspiring new ways of thinking through shared experiences.
• Values reflection, careful observation, and ongoing learning.
• Appreciates beauty, organization, and thoughtful design in children's environments.
• Thrives as part of a collaborative school community.

Schedule & Start Date

• M-F 8:00am-4:00pm, shorter schedule may be accomodated
• August 31, 2026

Salary & Benefits

• Salary commensurate with education and experience.
• Health insurance
• Dental, Vision
• 401(k) retirement plan
• Pre-tax commuter benefits
• Generous paid vacation and holidays
• Ongoing professional development opportunities

To Apply

Please submit a resume, portfolio (if applicable), and a brief statement describing your educational philosophy and interest in the position.

Why This Role Matters

At TriBeCa Community School, we believe the Atelier is far more than a studio, it is a way of thinking. The Atelierista helps cultivate a school culture where children's ideas are honored, learning is made visible, and materials become powerful tools for inquiry, communication, and expression. Through close collaboration with children and teachers, the Atelierista helps create meaningful experiences that nurture curiosity, creativity, and deep, sustained learning.