Organizer Information
Art Commons is a community-focused arts organization dedicated to expanding access to Visual Arts education in public school systems. Working closely with schools and local partners, the organization develops artist-led teaching initiatives that bring professional artists directly into classrooms.
This opportunity is part of a pilot initiative within the Issaquah School District in Washington State, where elementary schools currently have limited or no dedicated visual arts instruction. The program aims to address this gap by embedding practicing artists into school environments as educators, mentors, and curriculum collaborators.
Art Commons places strong emphasis on inclusive representation in arts education, actively encouraging applications from artists with diverse cultural, socioeconomic, and lived experiences, particularly those from BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, immigrant, and low-income communities.
Title & Description
Teaching Artist Residency – Issaquah School District (2026–2027)
Art Commons invites applications for a Teaching Artist Residency program designed to place professional artists in elementary schools across the Issaquah School District. This initiative supports Arts Education in grades K–5 through direct classroom engagement and structured visual arts instruction.
The residency is a pilot program involving three part-time Teaching Artist positions for the 2026–2027 academic year. Selected artists will work in elementary schools where they will design and deliver sequential visual arts lessons aligned with state learning standards while collaborating with school staff and existing art docent programs.
The program integrates artistic practice with pedagogy, offering artists an opportunity to shape foundational arts learning experiences for young students while contributing to long-term educational infrastructure development in the district.
The Role Overview
- Position: Teaching Artist Residency
- Type: Part-time contract position (Job)
- Programme: Art Commons Teaching Artist Residency (Pilot Program)
- Reporting To: Art Commons program coordination team and participating school administration
- Compensation: $11,100 total stipend
- Rate Equivalent: $50/hour (222 hours total, including planning and instruction)
- Contract Period: October 2026 – May 2027
- Positions Available: 3 Teaching Artists
- Work Structure: On-site school-based residency with weekly presence requirements
Position & Tasks
Selected Teaching Artists will be responsible for:
Classroom Instruction
- Teach monthly Visual Arts lessons to all 1st and 4th grade classes
- Deliver structured, sequential lesson plans aligned with curriculum standards
- Adapt teaching approaches for diverse learning needs
Curriculum & Planning
- Develop age-appropriate lesson plans in Painting, Drawing, Sculpture, Printmaking, and Mixed Media
- Integrate artistic practice with educational objectives
- Prepare materials, schedules, and learning outcomes for each session
School Collaboration
- Coordinate with classroom teachers and school staff
- Support and complement existing art docent programs
- Participate in school-wide events when relevant
Classroom Management & Logistics
- Maintain classroom materials and art supply inventory
- Ensure safe and organized studio-based learning environments
- Communicate regularly with school staff via in-person and email coordination
Categories
- Visual Arts
- Painting
- Drawing
- Sculpture
- Printmaking
- Mixed Media
- Arts Education
- Teaching / Education Practice
- Community Arts
Eligibility
- Professional background in Visual Arts practice (painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, or related fields)
- Strong interest in Arts Education and working with children (ages 6–12)
- Ability to design and implement structured lesson plans and schedules
- Experience or willingness to collaborate with school staff and adapt to classroom environments
- Strong communication skills (in-person and email)
- Reliable transportation for regular school site visits
Preferred Experience
- Curriculum development or instructional design
- Classroom or youth education experience
- Supply/inventory management for educational or studio settings
- Familiarity with Issaquah School District context
Program Benefits
- $11,100 total stipend per Teaching Artist
- Professional experience in school-based Arts Education
- Opportunity to develop and lead curriculum-based visual arts programming
- Training and professional development in teaching methodologies
- Direct mentorship experience with elementary-aged students
- Contribution to a pilot program shaping future district-wide arts infrastructure
- Paid Teaching Artist residency experience within a public education setting
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Resume / CV
- Portfolio of artwork and/or teaching experience
- Teaching Artist Statement (maximum 1 page), including:
- Teaching philosophy
- Artistic medium focus over the 8-month program
- Approach to creativity, learning, and student engagement
- Optional references or supporting documentation
How to Apply?
Applications must be submitted via email: info@artcommons.org
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 20 June 2026
- Selection Period: Summer 2026
- Final Decision Date: August 10, 2026
- Residency Period: October 2026 – May 2027
Location
Issaquah School District, Washington, United States
Additional Details
- This is a pilot program with potential for expansion across the district
- Artists will contribute to building foundational Arts Education infrastructure in elementary schools
- Finalists may be required to complete a background check and present a sample teaching activity
- The program strongly encourages applications from underrepresented communities in the arts
- Teaching schedule includes monthly structured lessons with weekly school presence
- Artists are expected to adapt lessons for diverse learning environments and student needs
- Compensation is fixed and non-negotiable based on total contracted hours
- The role combines creative practice with pedagogical responsibility in a community education context