Community Art Collaborative AmeriCorps Member, Community Art Collaborative at Maryland Institute College of Art

Program

Description:

The Community Art Collaborative (CAC) is a community arts-focused Ameri Corps program. Hosted at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) since 2004, CAC is grant funded by the Maryland Governor’s Office of Service and Volunteerism, and the Corporation for National and Community Service. The CAC program is based in Graduate Studies at MICA and is part of a larger National Service network of Ameri Corps programs throughout the country.

In the CAC program, Ameri Corps members are matched with non-profit community organizations, museums, and schools around Baltimore City to serve year-long community arts residencies. The service of CAC member artists provides youth and adults the benefits of after-school and community-based arts experiences, supports youth social-emotional skill development through the arts, and strengthens neighborhoods through community art initiatives. CAC Members will develop social-emotional learning-based curricula, facilitate arts classes & workshops, assist in the evaluation of programs, and gain valuable professional experience in the community arts and non-profit fields.

Members may also have the opportunity to develop special projects, plan community events, and support their partner organizations and communities in a myriad of ways. The CAC program is a great fit for someone who would like to:

At this time, CAC is prioritizing applications for full-time members for the 2026-27 program year. Applicants should expect to serve 35-40 hours per week, or 1700 total hours over the course of the year, with built-in time-off flexibility.

• Prior experience teaching art to K-12 youth, or working directly with K-12 youth in a related capacity. Minimum 1 year.
• Strong interest in facilitating K-12 youth arts programming, with flexibility to work with multiple age groups including adults.
• Flexibility to work with one of several partner organizations through CAC, which are subject to change prior to each program year.
• Experience in volunteer service projects and/or community organizing for events or projects.
• Communication skills (verbal & written) and an ability to stay in consistent daily communication with the CAC program and your partner organization/site supervisor throughout the year.
• Writing skills, for writing lesson plans, monthly report reflections, and potential grant applications for community projects.
• Organizational and time management skills; attention to detail.
• Some experience in data and information management is preferred.
• Curiosity to increase knowledge of best practices in community arts, art education, and youth development through ongoing training, professional development, and mentoring. Commitment to incorporate best practices when facilitating arts programming.
• Passion for supporting youth; passion for using art as a tool to benefit communities.
• Ability to be a strong team player, demonstrating respect for all program participants, team members, collaborators and more throughout the duration of the program.

• Must be 17 years of age or older
• Must possess a high school diploma or equivalent
• Must be a US citizen, national, or permanent resident
• Acceptance and participation in an Ameri Corps program is conditional upon a National Service Criminal History background check (provided by the program)

The program offers many benefits through Ameri Corps, including:

• A living stipend equivalent to $17/hour ($28,900 for the full year) *
• Premium-free healthcare (including medical, dental, vision, AD&D)
• A Member Assistance Program, with free services such as 24/7 counseling and other life/work balance supports
• Federal Segal Education Award ($7,395.00 for full-time members) given at the successful completion of a year of service in the program. This award is accessible to alumni through an online portal and can be applied to a variety of future education costs and/or qualifying student loans. The Segal Education Award is not distributed as a cash payment.
• Childcare benefits to eligible members
• Schools of National Service and Employers of National Service program for Ameri Corps alumni; various benefits often available for the Ameri Corps alumni network
• Full-time service in Ameri Corps qualifies as eligible employment for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF).
  * exceptions may apply, please consult your loan servicer to inquire about your specific student loan repayment/forgiveness options.

As MICA team members, CAC members receive additional benefits, including:

• Access to campus resources including laptop and other tech rentals, resources through the Decker library, and more
• Free software,…