Teaching Artist

JOB DESCRIPTION: VISUAL ARTS TEACHING ARTIST Especially seeking those experienced with working with underserved youth populations.

Location: Los Angeles County, CA (School site(s) and/or City Hearts office)

FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt, At-Will

Hours: Part-time, in-person instruction

Wage: $35/hour instructional time (starting rate with opportunity for performance-based increases); $20/hour administrative time

City Hearts is dedicated to combating inequities in arts access. Specifically, we provide high-impact, holistic Visual and Performing Arts education to underserved elementary, middle, and high school students in Los Angeles. Our classes and experiences are grounded in the belief that every child deserves to experience the extensively researched and well-documented academic, creative, and emotional benefits of meaningful arts education.

Our initiatives are led by accomplished Teaching Artists who bring extensive professional experience as practicing artists, along with formal training in their creative disciplines. Through our immersive offerings, students gain exposure to creative careers and professionals while participating in programs that cultivate a strong sense of community, personal resilience, and lifelong learning skills. In keeping with our mission to combat inequities in arts access, all City Hearts programming is offered at no cost to students and their families.

City Hearts Teaching Artists are responsible for delivering high-quality, engaging arts instruction to students in grades K–12 with a wide range of experience levels, including beginners with little or no prior exposure to the art form.

Teaching Artists serve as both instructors and program partners, responsible for instructional excellence as well as required administrative, communication, and evaluation duties that ensure program quality, compliance, and sustainability.

• Provide dynamic, developmentally appropriate instruction in the designated art form.
• Scaffold lessons to meet diverse learner needs and maximize student engagement and growth.
• Design and implement lesson plans aligned with program structure and goals.
• Plan and lead rehearsals, performances, exhibitions, and/or student showcases as required.
• Create and maintain a safe, supportive, inclusive, and engaging classroom environment.
• Implement effective classroom management strategies in collaboration with school personnel.

• Demonstrate punctuality, preparedness, and professionalism at all program sites.
• Serve as a liaison between City Hearts and school/site staff and administrators.
• Support field trips, culminating events, and other program-related activities as assigned.
• Attend required check-ins with Program Leadership and quarterly professional development sessions.
• Represent City Hearts professionally in all communications and on-site interactions.

• Maintain accurate and timely attendance records for all assigned classes.
• Complete all required documentation, including reports, surveys, lesson logs, and evaluation tools, by stated deadlines.
• Participate in student survey administration and data collection required for internal evaluation and external funder compliance.
• Ensure timely completion of all reporting requirements necessary for organizational funding and accountability.
• Communicate regularly with Program Leadership regarding class progress, needs, and site-related concerns.
• Report student behavioral, safety, or disciplinary concerns promptly to school personnel and City Hearts staff.

• Strong commitment to the mission and values of City Hearts.
• BA/BFA in an arts-related field preferred, but not required; equivalent professional experience will be considered.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong classroom culture and engage students effectively.
• Ability to create and implement engaging lesson plans.
• Strong collaboration skills with staff, fellow Teaching Artists, and school partners.
• Punctual, reliable, and responsive to multiple forms of communication (email, text, etc.).
• Proficiency with Google Workspace, Zoom, and basic administrative platforms.
• Ability to receive and apply constructive feedback.
• Prior teaching experience is strongly preferred.
• Active professional engagement in the relevant artistic discipline is required, which may include training, auditioning, performance, creation, or other sustained artistic practice.

City Hearts is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We do not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, age, gender, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.