http://www.dreamyard.com/
DreamYard Project is seeking candidates for full-time staff position of Mentor for YOUmedia Center expansion
Mentors will be part of the Digital Learning Programs staff at the DreamYard Art Center, which is located in the Morrisania neighborhood in the Bronx. DreamYard Project is a Bronx-based non-profit that uses project-based arts learning to ignite the transformative spirit in youth, public schools and communities. DreamYard has developed a robust educational community in the Bronx—from its in-school partnerships and launch of the DreamYard Preparatory High School to its Out of School Programs at the DreamYard Art Center.
Through generous grants from the MacArthur Foundation and Chase, DreamYard Project is expanding its current Art Center to offer more opportunities for digital learning and arts education. Based on the YOUmedia model that began in Chicago, new digital learning programming at the Art Center will be youth-centered, interest-driven, highly collaborative and based in making and doing. Programming will consist of informal open lab hours, digital media workshops, and interdisciplinary projects.
Mentors will be a core element of developing digital learning programs for the YOUmedia expansion. DY is looking for highly-skilled artists who use digital media in their own practice and have a background working with high school-aged youth to fill two Mentor positions. Mentors will develop and implement new digital learning programming, often using their own creative work as examples, and guide young people through their own creative explorations and educational pathways. The Mentors’ roles in programming will range from one-on-one mentoring to leading semester-long workshops with outside partners. Mentors will be expected to build strong relationships with the young people who participate in programming at the Center. Participants will primarily be high school-aged youth though Mentors may also work with middle and elementary-aged youth. Mentors will report to Hillary Kolos, Director of Digital Learning, and collaborate closely with other Digital Learning Programs staff, as well as the Out of School Programs staff. In addition to program development and facilitation, Mentors other responsibilities will include documenting programming, coordinating events at the Center, recruiting participants, and some administrative duties.
This is a full-time position beginning around May 1, 2012.
Position Breakdown
- 50% – Directly working with youth: Mentoring individuals and small groups; Facilitating workshops and Coordinating projects
- 30% – Professional Development and program development: Developing new programming and curriculum; Developing skills as an artist and mentor; Meeting with staff, other departments and partners
- 20% – Admin and support: Recruiting participants; Scheduling space and technology; Maintaining space and technology; Record keeping; Following up with youth and parents; Planning and managing events; Administrative duties
Responsibilities
· Inspire young people to create and learn new skills
· Develop and facilitate programming, including writing curriculum
· Document the development and implementation of programming
· Participate in and actively contribute to professional development
· Evaluate participant learning
· Recruit youth participants from the community
· Organize and manage registration and attendance records
· Keep technology and supplies maintained and organized
· Stay up to date on digital media tools and practices and research
· Collaborate with other staff members and outside partners
Requirements
· Bachelors degree or five years of work experience in the arts and/or education
· Experience teaching digital media production to high school-aged youth
· Experience in one or more artistic disciplines
· Excellent written and verbal skills
· Experience and tenacity with troubleshooting technology issues
Competencies
· Committed to helping young people develop artistic voice and practices
· Able to organize and prioritize many tasks
· Willing to receive, consider, and incorporate feedback into their practice
· Flexible and adaptable in a constantly changing environment
· Curious about new digital learning tools and methods
· Interested and invested in the South Bronx community
· Experienced coordinating exhibitions and events
· Sense of humor
Preferred Digital Media Experience
We are interested in candidates with a range of skills that include both digital and non-digital media and art making. These media may include:
Digital Photo/Video
Design: Web/Game/Graphic/Fashion
Music and Audio Production: MC/DJ/Producing/Recording and Engineering/Radio
Maker/DIY: Physical Computing/Programming/IT/
Digital Art/Illustration
Animation/3D Graphics
In addition to experience with digital media, expertise in more traditional art forms including Poetry/Spoken Word, Visual Art, Music, and Theater are alsoappreciated.
To Apply:
Since DreamYard is an arts education organization; we would like candidates to use their creative abilities to explain their experience and interest in the position. In order to be considered for this position please send:
- A resume
- A cover letter
- A digital media creation made by you to explain your related experience and interest in the position. This creation should be digestible inthree minutes or less and clearly communicate relevant information about your experience and/or learning trajectory, as well as demonstrate your creative abilities. Please send the creation as an email attachment (if a small file) or a link (if a larger file or accessible via the web). We will not contact you if we cannot access the material.
Send materials by March 30, 2012 to jobs@dreamyard.com with Mentor Position as the subject line.
DreamYard offers competitive salaries and an excellent benefits package.
DreamYard is committed to the principles of arts education, educational reform and social justice, and fashions its programs to specifically address the needs of urban communities that are typically underrepresented because of race, sex, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Accordingly, we welcome and encourage applications from a diverse range of individuals.
Bronx-based and Spanish-speaking applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. DreamYardProject, Inc. employs without regard to race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any other attribute not related to superior performance.
