SITAR ARTS CENTER: CAMP SITAR
COSTUME DESIGNER

What We Do

Sitar Arts Center engages DC youth, from early childhood to young adulthood, in building a creative community of learning and belonging that removes financial and cultural barriers to arts education and career training. We envision a city in which all young people experience transformative moments through quality, accessible arts education and career training and are supported on their path to discover their creativity and achieve their full potential.

At Sitar Arts Center, students engage in affordable, high-quality education and workforce development in the visual, digital, and performing arts. Each semester, 80% of students are from Washington DC households at 60% or less of the area median income. Programs take place year-round during out-of-school time in Sitar's state-of-the-art facilities, which feature an 85-seat theater, visual and digital art studios, a dark room, dance studios, and private and ensemble instrumental music studios.

Located in the vibrant Adams Morgan neighborhood, Sitar's community includes youth from every ward in DC. Across the year, up to 900 students engage in high quality classes including instrumental music, ballet and hip-hop dance, acting and musical theater, digital photography and filmmaking, and more. Each summer children from K- 8th grade enjoy our full day, 6-week Camp Sitar and teens enroll in summer workforce development programs. Sitar's new ArtsAdvance program offers alternative pathways to careers in the creative industries for 18-24-year-olds.

What You’ll Do 

Sitar Arts Center is seeking an experienced Costume Designer for our summer musical, The SpongeBob Musical, this June – August 2024.

Camp Sitar provides visual, performing, digital art, and movement classes over six weeks to kindergarten - 8th graders in our full-day program.

We are seeking a creative and enthusiastic Costume Designer to join our summer camp musical program. You will be responsible for designing and overseeing the creation of costumes for our upcoming production. You will work directly with students from 4th to 12th grades and summer camp interns, engaging them in the designing and building of the costumes.

Responsibilities Include  

• Collaborate with the director and artistic team to develop the overall visual concept for the musical. 
• Design costumes for all characters, considering age-appropriateness, comfort, and movement. 
• Work with a budget to source materials and create costumes. 
• Maintain a clear understanding of deadlines and ensure costumes are completed on time for the performance. 

What You’ll Earn 

This is a stipend position that pays $2,800.

When You'll Work

This six-week position is a part-time seasonal position starting June 24 to August 4, 2024, with a flexible schedule. The performances will take place August 1- 4. 

Other Required Work Dates will be provided before employment acceptance. All required work dates are paid including:

• Restorative Practices and Classroom Management Training
• Orientation
• Saturday tech rehearsals/production days
• Performance days 

Who You Are 

As the Costume Designer, you are a positive, inclusive role model who is warm, supportive, and engaging. You experience immense joy when sharing your craft with young people, meeting their needs, and adapting to ensure their safety and success throughout the process. You enjoy collaboration and improvisation and believe that strong organization and creative youth development is the key to happy and engaged students. Most importantly you have a strong love for the arts, a strong love for children of all ages, and you believe that everyone should have access to the arts.

Key Qualifications and Experience

• Previous experience designing and building costumes for non-professional theatrical productions (school plays, community theatre, etc.) 
• Experience working in a camp setting and/or student’s performances 
• A strong understanding of theatrical costuming principles and techniques. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with children and adults.
• Varied skill set that features a combination of sketching, sewing, constructing garments, etc.

Requirements

• Background check, and TB test 

Our Values

Embed Equity

Embed equity in our systems, programs, and spaces to advance social justice.

Everyone should have equitable access to opportunities, representation, and voice.

Foster Belonging

Foster belonging by engaging, supporting, and celebrating our diverse community members through genuine and meaningful relationships.

Everyone deserves a welcoming space where they can feel like they belong. 

Prioritize Balance

Prioritize balance between the mental, emotional, physical, and creative well-being within ourselves and our fellow community members.

Everyone deserves the opportunity and support to prioritize wellness within their lives.

Build Trust

Build trust by assuming positive intentions and taking ownership of our words, actions, responsibilities, and commitments.

Everyone benefits when we approach relationships with openness and commit to follow through.

Inspire Transformation

Inspire transformation by listening to, learning from, and growing with our community and the world around us.

Everyone can be a student, and anyone can be a teacher.

Encourage Collaboration

Encourage collaboration with thoughtful and clear communication, a curious mind, and a creative spirit.

Everyone benefits when we work together as a team.

How You Can Apply 

This position will remain open until filled. However, for best consideration please apply by April 19, 2024.

You need to submit a resume and answer all required questions. No phone calls please.

After applying you’ll receive an email confirming that we have your application on file. If you’re selected for the next stage, you will be contacted for an interview. The hiring process can take 5-8 weeks after posting. You will be considered if the position is still vacant.

We appreciate your interest in Sitar Arts Center. Sitar Arts Center is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. Sitar Arts Center does not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status, or any other basis protected under federal, state or local laws.

For more information about Sitar Arts Center, please visit www.sitarartscenter.org.