Supported by ART 180 staff and partners, the Residency Teaching Artist (RTA) serves as the lead instructor and creative mentor for the Atlas Artist Residency, a 9-week summer program for emerging youth artists ages 14-19 seeking to develop their skills, portfolios, and creative identities.

This position requires a practicing artist with demonstrated teaching experience, effective studio/classroom management skills, a passion for youth development, and a commitment to community-based creative practice.


WHO SHOULD APPLY:

• Practicing artist with at least 2 years of experience in teaching and facilitation for high school students ages 14-19.

• Demonstrate strong communication, project, and studio/classroom management skills.

• Possess the ability to provide portfolio-based instruction and the ability to translate creative concepts into engaging, hands-on learning experiences.

• Passionate about creative education, youth development, and community empowerment.

• Comfortable working collaboratively within intergenerational and interdisciplinary environments.

• Works in one or more of the following media and disciplines, but not limited to:
  Illustration & Drawing
  Painting (traditional + mixed media)
  Comic & Character Storytelling
  Anime, Magna, or Motion graphics
  Collage & Assemblage
  Graphic Design

WHY APPLY?
The Atlas Residency is an opportunity for teaching artists to deepen both their professional skill set and creative practice. The Residency Teaching Artist will gain access to career-building resources, including:

• 4-month Art Studio Residency (May through August) at ART 180
  Dedicated studio access outside of class time for personal creative work, research, and experimentation. Hours are self-directed during ART180’s scheduled studio hours to support the growth of the artist’s own practice.

• $6,000 Stipend
  Distributed in scheduled payments throughout the residency to support participation, instruction, and exhibition responsibilities.

• $1,200 material budget
  Allocated for the RTA personal creative development (not classroom supplies). Issued monthly and must be used within each month to support ongoing studio production, research, or project expenses.

• Free Communal & Career Resources ( including curriculum development training, exhibition support, grant and residency opportunities, and community arts networking

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and instruct a highly engaging, project-based curriculum that connects to ART 180’s annual theme and supports aspiring young artists (ages 14 - 19) in strengthening their artistic portfolios, technical skills, and creative confidence.

• Maintain regular communication and collaboration with ART 180 staff and community partners to coordinate program logistics, manage materials and budgets, and support documentation and evaluations.

• Participate in all orientation, training, and planning sessions before youth engagement.

• Integrate personal creative practice where appropriate to model professional artistic processes.

• Execute opening and closing procedures during the scheduled program and studio hours.

• Maintain a clean and professional work environment during class and studio time.

• Execute a final project that showcases personal and youth-created works in the final exhibition.

TIMELINE & COMMITMENT:
Teaching Schedule: 
Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. (June 9 – August 11, 2026)

Art Studio Residency Dates: 
May 1 – August 30, 2026 Time TBD

Additional Program Schedule:
May: Orientation, training. Curriculum development and community building
June–July: Program facilitation, studio practice, final project preparation and installations, and independent creative development.
August: First Friday Final Exhibition and community celebration.

HOW TO APPLY:

• Interested artists should submit a completed application (below) that includes the following materials:

• Profile Pic

• A CV or resume outlining relevant experience

• A portfolio of past work (3-5 samples) showcasing relevant artistic disciplines.

• A brief statement of interest detailing your teaching philosophy, mentorship experience, and how your work aligns with the Atlas Artist Residency.

• A proposed curriculum concept highlighting your approach to engaging young artists’ creative, technical, or professional skills to strengthen their portfolios and prepare them for future and career opportunities.

Prospect candidates will be interviewed.