Art Cart Leader – Summer

Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) is Madison’s public recreation provider. MSCR offers a wide variety of athletic, recreational, arts and enrichment activities and classes for all ages in an accessible, inclusive setting. Programs include swimming instruction, MSCR on the Move, arts & enrichment classes, youth summer camps, sports camps & clinics, adult & 50+ fitness, adult sport leagues including pickleball, softball and tennis, and a wide variety of outdoor pursuits including paddling sports, pontoon trips, camping, orienteering and challenge courses.

As a department of the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), MSCR also provides after school enrichment activities, clubs and sports as well as summer programming in Madison elementary, middle and high schools, Allied Learning Center and Meadowood Neighborhood Center. After school clubs and sports include: arts & enrichment, homework/academic clubs, drama, dance, skiing, soccer, basketball, volleyball, cross country and much more!

Art Cart, a traveling art program, was founded by MMoCA’s Art League in the early 1970s with the vision of bringing art and art experiences to children throughout Madison. Since 1975, Art Cart has been a collaboration between the MMoCA and MSCR. MMoCA and MSCR maintain Art Cart as a free public program benefiting a broad range of Madison neighborhoods. Art Cart brings a lively spirit and participatory art experiences to Madison children who may otherwise not have access to such opportunities.

In Madison, Art Cart travels to two parks per day, Monday through Friday, from mid‑June to mid‑August.

Looking for an engaging, creative individual to complete our Art Cart team! Candidates must have formal experience or training in visual art, as well as lesson planning and facilitating art projects. Work with your co‑leader to provide creative, outdoor art‑making experiences for young children and their families. Utilize the outdoor nature of the program as an impetus for conceiving art activities, encourage the creative use of materials, especially found and recycled materials.

Make art accessible to all Madison families throughout the summer by driving the Art Cart to two parks per day, M‑F. Candidates must be flexible as they will be outside for the vast majority of this position. They must have the ability to adapt art projects to a wide range of conditions, both in terms of participants and external conditions.

• Drive a 15‑passenger van to up to 10 Madison parks each week
• Collaborate with co‑leader to plan and implement daily projects that align with the Art Cart philosophy and purpose, including predetermined Friday afternoon plaster casting at beaches and painting of the Vilas Park shoe slide. Design projects to include both large‑group collaborative and individual activities.
• Assemble and organize supplies, find recycled materials, and solicit donated supplies; follow approved purchasing procedures.
• Maintain Art Cart vehicle during season: keep gas levels up, park in safe areas, report any malfunctions to supervisor immediately.
• Be flexible in adapting projects to a wide range of ages, from preschoolers through middle‑school students.
• Adapt to weather conditions, varying interest levels, time spent on projects, and unpredictable numbers of participants.
• Maintain daily records of attendance and other data.
• Pre‑season inventory and post‑season clean truck and re‑store leftover materials.
• Maintain professional and appropriate attitudes, attire, and behaviors at all times; observe all MMSD, MSCR, and MMoCA policies and procedures.
• Create an encouraging, inclusive environment – all are welcome!

• Staff may not miss more than one week of work during the summer.
• Mandatory staff training will be scheduled in May/June based on staff availability.
• Regular Art Cart schedule runs 6/15‑8/14, Monday‑Friday.
• A handful of pre‑season and weekend events, TBD.

Various parks in Madison

3/20/26

• Applications will be reviewed beginning 3/23/26

• Phone screenings will begin early April, with in‑person interviews to follow for…