Continuing Education, Jewelry Alternative Materials - Youth In-Person Instructor

Art Educator Position

RISD Continuing Education functions within the larger context of RISD, an institution with an unparalleled reputation for producing highly-skilled, successful, and internationally renowned creative practitioners. With more than 100 years of expertise nurturing critical making, thinking, and innovation in art and design we facilitate personal and professional development by engaging students in sustained exploration and learning in the creative disciplines. With a commitment to centering inclusivity, diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities, RISD Continuing Education instructors plan, organize, teach, and provide feedback to promote and direct student learning in keeping with the institutional learning-centered values and in a manner that meets essential competencies of artists and designers.

RISD Continuing Education is in search of an inspired art educator who is interested in supporting the growth of teens as part of our in-person youth program. The ideal candidate has experience in art education and is prepared to guide students with empathy. Applicants should be prepared to teach in person while delivering courses to a diverse group of students from a range of abilities and experiences.

We welcome candidates whose teaching experience addresses historically underrepresented communities.

As a youth programs instructor, you will lead teens toward aspiring career paths while problem-solving through art and design. Our program emphasizes design thinking, communicating, and creating, and students will look to you for guidance while navigating daily prompts and assignments. Each class will serve as an opportunity for your students to develop socially and intellectually; by the end of the course, they will have identified new (or hone in on existing) academic and career goals with your help.

At RISD Continuing Education, we are motivated by advancements in education that allow us to reach broader audiences and connect with creatives from around the globe. We regularly maintain and improve our instructor support systems to ensure that you are prepared to intentionally build a course that you are excited to teach. When you work with us, you will receive personalized support from our program manager to enhance your teaching.

We are currently seeking an instructor who is available to teach Jewelry with Alternative Materials, in person on the RISD campus in Providence, RI. The successful candidate will have a strong background in deliverables listed in the course description. The current course description is as follows:

We choose the jewelry we wear to make a statement. The more interesting the material or how it is placed on the body, the more of an impact that statement will have. Redefine the meaning of found objects by turning them into jewelry. Collect recycled materials and find new ones to experiment with. Play with how your wearable designs can accommodate the human body.

Adapt to what you're working with, and learn how to problem-solve. Explore and test different ways to connect items to each other and to a body. By using alternative materials, you'll learn how to develop interesting, conceptual ideas while building your ability to problem-solve.

Learning outcomes:

• Curate materials to be incorporated into wearable objects.
• Test and experiment with the placement of wearable designs on the body.
• Develop a concept of a wearable design that makes a meaningful statement.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience

Required:

• BS, BFA or Art/Design Major required
• Teaching experience, including the ability to create syllabi and lesson plans, and how to tie those to learning outcomes
• Demonstrated expertise in jewelry making with alternative materials
• Ability to convey complex art and design concepts to students with varied skills (novice to advanced) in a condensed time frame
• Accept and act upon constructive feedback from course evaluations by students and staff.
• Ability to develop and implement diverse teaching and learning for learners from a variety of educational backgrounds, environments and expectations
• Ability to meet RISD's technology requirements
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills

Knowledge/Skills/Experience Preferred:

• Experience teaching K-12 in art and design
• Expressed interest in career planning and preparation for teens
• Masters degree
• Teaching certification/certificate
• Knowledge and understanding of early-mid childhood learner principles and respect for students

Documents Needed to Apply:

• Resume, including a URL link for your professional portfolio
• Statement of interest preferred

Classes will be held on Saturdays, 1pm - 4pm on the RISD campus in Providence, RI. Now hiring for the Fall 2026 semester, with classes beginning 10/10/2026 - 11/14/2026.

Union:
No

Work Modality:
In person

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please upload all required documents.

The successful candidate will be required to meet our pre-employment background screening requirements.

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