Restorative Practices Youth Lead Teaching Artist

Restorative Practices Youth Lead Teaching Artist

The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program’s Art Education Department serves more than 2,000 youth annually through free out-of-school-time art education programs in neighborhoods across Philadelphia. Our programs provide creative opportunities and supportive spaces for some of the city’s most vulnerable young people.

Mural Arts is committed to building safe, affirming spaces with and for the youth we serve. Our students’ work reflects their ability to think critically, create fearlessly, and engage meaningfully with their communities. Serving youth ages 10 to 22, our year-round programs offer a comprehensive course of study in the visual arts that equips students with the technical and creative foundations needed to imagine, design, and produce a wide range of individual and public artworks.

Whether students are creating murals or developing foundational artistic skills, lessons are designed with both short- and long-term goals in mind. Curriculum integrates artistic and social history alongside traditional and emerging art practices. At every stage, students are encouraged to reflect on their identities, experiences, and communities while using art as a tool for personal and social transformation.

The Art Education Department is seeking a Lead Teaching Artist for our Restorative Practices Youth Program during the summer session, tentatively running from July 13 through August 21 at the Philadelphia Juvenile Justice Services Center. Successful completion of the summer session may lead to conditional hiring opportunities for the 2026–27 school year.

The Restorative Practices Youth Program provides year-round, high-quality arts education to students impacted by the juvenile justice system and young people involved in the child welfare system. Through art and healing-centered engagement, students are encouraged to express themselves in an environment grounded in curiosity, innovation, and safety. Classes are designed to heal, connect, and inspire, empowering students to discover and strengthen their unique creative voices.

To best serve the diverse needs of our students, the Mural Arts Program’s Art Education Department seeks passionate and creative art educators who are committed to working in partnership with young people. We are looking for individuals who are excited about mentoring youth, eager to collaborate with fellow artists, and prepared to thrive in a dynamic environment that requires flexibility, dedication, innovation, and enthusiasm.

Mural Arts’ Restorative Practices Youth Program is distinguished by its collaborative approach to artmaking, fostering youth social and emotional development through experiences that encourage collaboration, teamwork, leadership, and mentorship.

The Restorative Practices Youth Lead Teaching Artist works closely with Art Education staff to develop and implement art-based curriculum. They inspire and guide students in creating individual works of art, designing murals, experimenting with a variety of media, and collaborating with professional artists on large-scale public art projects.

The curriculum is centered around one-off projects that reflect the transitory nature of the student population while drawing from youth experiences, culturally and historically relevant subjects, and themes of aspiration and empowerment. Lead Teaching Artists must demonstrate creativity and resourcefulness in adapting materials and teaching methods within institutional environments that may limit access to traditional art supplies.

In addition to supporting student recruitment and maintaining attendance records required by Mural Arts and its funders, Lead Teaching Artists mentor Assistant Teaching Artists and contribute to a positive and collaborative learning environment. This position is 25 hours per week and requires consistent attendance at program sites, participation in regularly scheduled meetings and professional development sessions, and access to reliable transportation.

Mural-making experience is preferred.

• Knowledge of art history and art-making techniques
• Ability…