Portfolio Foundations Lead-Instructor

Position Description

The Saturday Program is seeking a part‑time Portfolio Instructor to support students in our Portfolio Preparation Class. This role involves working with two Cooper Union Undergraduate Teaching Assistants to assist high school juniors and seniors in producing competitive portfolios for their college applications to art, design, and architecture schools.

• Guide students in observing, analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating artworks to develop informed critical perspectives.
• Support students in developing a comprehensive understanding of art concepts, including cultural and historical contexts, design principles, materials, and techniques.
• Help students curate portfolios that reflect personal style, thematic development, and technical growth.
• Facilitate critiques of student and historical works to deepen artistic understanding and strengthen art‑making practices.
• Assist students in developing artist statements that clearly communicate intention, theme, and process.
• Collaborate with program staff to support writing strategies aligned with curricular goals and student development.
• Encourage student engagement and confidence in the writing process.
• Introduce students to career pathways, professional practices, and opportunities for growth in the arts.
• Cultivate strong work habits through goal setting, self‑assessment, reflection, and purposeful creative practice.
• Maintain a professional, supportive, and academically focused classroom environment.
• Develop and maintain semester and weekly lesson plans for Saturday sessions.
• Meet weekly with Teaching Assistants prior to class to review lesson plans and prepare for instruction.
• Provide Teaching Assistants with lesson plans and clear guidance in advance to support classroom facilitation and student engagement.
• Support the professional growth of Teaching Assistants through mentorship, feedback, and collaborative teaching practices.
• Notify the Director or Assistant Director promptly in the event of illness or emergency to coordinate class coverage.

• BA/BFA or MFA in Fine Art, Art Education.
• Familiarity with the NYC public school system and art college admissions.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Enthusiastic and positive attitude enjoys engaging with high school students.
• Attention to detail, organized, self‑motivated.
• Excellent collaboration and coordination skills.

• Schedule:
  
  2 cycles per year October – December/January – April, 10 sessions per cycle, Saturday, 9am – 5pm.
• Teaching Rate: $75.00 per hour.
• Meeting, Planning and Training
  
  Hours:
  
  $25.00 per hour.

This is a non‑union position. The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer.