Position Purpose
The Art Program Teaching Associate strengthens Serendipity’s commitment to creativity, hands-on learning, and arts integration. By supporting the Art Studio, Open Studio, and Performing Arts production needs, this role helps create the conditions for children to explore, imagine, build, perform, and express their ideas in meaningful ways.
Job Overview
Serendipity School is seeking a thoughtful, creative, and highly organized Art Program Teaching Associate to support the continued growth of our Art and Performing Arts programs. This role is designed to strengthen hands-on, student-centered learning by providing meaningful support in the Art Studio, Open Studio, classroom art experiences, and school performances.
The Art Program Teaching Associate will work closely with the Art Teacher, Performing Arts Teacher, classroom teachers and to support art instruction, studio organization, materials preparation, project documentation, and performance-related design needs, including costumes, props, and sets. This position helps ensure that students have access to rich creative experiences while supporting the smooth day-to-day functioning of Serendipity’s arts programming.
This is an ideal role for someone who enjoys working with children, has a strong interest in art education, and is excited to support a progressive school environment where creativity, curiosity, collaboration, and hands-on learning are central to the student experience.
Key Responsibilities
Art Studio Support
- Assist the Art Teacher during art classes by supporting student engagement, materials use, project flow, and classroom routines.
- Help prepare materials for art lessons, studio provocations, displays, and long-term projects.
- Support students as they explore materials, techniques, and creative problem-solving in developmentally appropriate ways.
- Help maintain a calm, organized, and inviting Art Studio environment that supports creativity, independence, and student agency.
- Assist with cleaning, organizing, labeling, and replenishing art materials and supplies.
- Support documentation of student artwork and process-based learning when needed.
Open Studio and Project Support
- Help support the organization and facilitation of Open Studio experiences.
- Prepare materials and workspaces for student-led explorations and project-based work.
- Assist students with safe and appropriate use of tools, materials, and studio spaces.
- Support the maintenance of shared project spaces, including storage systems, works-in-progress, and cleanup routines.
- Help ensure that Open Studio remains accessible, organized, and connected to the broader curriculum.
Performing Arts Support: Costumes, Props, and Sets
- Collaborate with the Performing Arts Teacher to support school performances, plays, concerts, and other student showcases.
- Assist with the design, organization, creation, repair, and storage of costumes, props, and set pieces.
- Support students and teachers with hands-on production tasks connected to performances.
- Help maintain costume and set materials in an organized and accessible way.
- Assist with setup and breakdown for performances, exhibits, and arts-related events as needed.
- Support visual presentation and creative design elements that enhance student performances while keeping the focus on student learning and participation.
Classroom and Program Support
- Provide flexible support to classroom teachers when art projects connect to integrated curriculum, thematic studies, or classroom-based inquiry.
- Assist with materials preparation for classroom art integrations, displays, and culminating projects.
- Support students in small groups or one-on-one during creative work, helping them build confidence, independence, and persistence.
- Help create and maintain displays of student work throughout the school.
- Contribute to a school culture where the arts are valued as a meaningful part of children’s thinking, expression, and identity.
General School Support
- Provide occasional coverage or support during transitions, recess, lunch, or other school routines as needed.
- Collaborate respectfully and professionally with faculty, specialists, associate teachers, and leadership.
- Communicate clearly and proactively about materials, schedules, needs, and student support.
- Remain flexible and responsive to the evolving needs of the Art and Performing Arts programs.
Qualifications
- Experience working with children in a school, camp, studio, arts, or educational setting preferred.
- Interest in art education, elementary education, performing arts,
- Comfort working with a range of art materials and helping children use materials safely and thoughtfully.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to maintain art spaces, materials, costumes, props, and project supplies in an organized and functional way.
- Warm, patient, and respectful approach with children.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills.
- Flexibility, initiative, and willingness to support a dynamic school environment.
- Ability to take direction while also noticing needs and contributing proactively.
Desired Qualities
The ideal candidate is:
- Creative, dependable, and hands-on.
- Comfortable supporting both teachers and students.
- Excited by children’s ideas and process-based learning.
- Organized and able to manage materials, supplies, and projects over time.
- Flexible and willing to jump in where support is needed.
- Interested in progressive education and student-centered learning.
- Able to balance creativity with practical follow-through.
- Warm, calm, and encouraging with children.
Physical Requirements
This position may require lifting and carrying art supplies, costumes, set materials, and classroom items; setting up and breaking down displays or performance spaces; standing or moving for extended periods; and supporting children in active classroom and studio environments.
