Arts New Orleans is hiring a part-time staff member to join its Young Artist Movement (YAM) program team. We seek an individual with diverse experiences working with New Orleans youth and a deep interest in cultivating mentor relationships with youth currently detained at the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center (JJIC).
The Youth Program Facilitator & Mentor will serve as the lead facilitator for YAM youth artists at the JJIC facility and will periodically lead programming activities in the traditional YAM setting. The ideal candidate will be interested in public art and the art-making process, and demonstrate strong leadership in managing classrooms with both detained youth at JJIC and those participating in YAM outside the facility. The central focus of the role is building restorative relationships with students, with the goal of supporting them along their pathway of re-entry into community.
YAM projects include large-scale murals and creative digital media. The Youth Program Facilitator & Mentor works closely with the Arts New Orleans Deputy Director, Director of Youth Education, Director of Youth Programs and Partnerships, the JJIC Superintendent, and contracted Lead Professional Artist-Mentors.
Job Qualifications
- Must embrace the mission of Arts New Orleans
- Experience in engaging in some form of visual, digital, or performing arts
- 2+ years of experience in working with New Orleans youth in community, school, or non-profit capacities
- Strong ability to communicate with youth in a relatable and relevant manner
- Compassion for youth who have been impacted by the criminal justice system
- Physical capacity to engage youth in a variety of settings, both indoors and outdoors
- Flexible classroom management skills
- Excellent organizational and time management skills
- Able to maintain a positive attitude when working with students from a variety of backgrounds
- Self-starter capable of managing responsibilities independently after a 90-day observational period
Job Responsibilities
The Youth Program Facilitator & Mentor’s schedule will be decided with their supervisor, the Director of Youth Education, in line with the JJIC program schedule. The job includes, but is not limited to, the activities outlined below.
YAM Program Sessions:
- Be present with students during all workshop sessions
- Facilitate sessions with students: lead activities that help students in developing a creative practice, support students in focusing on programming goals, create a restorative atmosphere through the collective development and implementation of Tribe Agreements
- Guide students’ understanding of the project at hand while supporting them with developing a positive relationship with the Lead Professional Artist-Mentor as they navigate the mural design/painting process and/or creative digital media project
- Be prepared to lead sessions if the Lead Artist-Mentor is absent, using tools and materials available to offer a unique creative experience
- Ensure effective classroom and time management
- Arrive at least 30 minutes early to prepare the program space
Planning & Organizing:
The Youth Program Facilitator & Mentor will spend around 30% of their time:
- Organize and prepare classroom space
- Monitor and purchase art supplies and snacks as needed
- Attend staff meetings and planning meetings, including:
- Bi-weekly Arts New Orleans staff meetings on Thursdays, 10am-12pm
- YAM team meetings
- Organize and attend meetings with Superintendent, Lee Reisman, as needed to provide updates on JJIC programming, student engagement, & details concerning project unveilings
- Communicating with Lead Professional Artist and Artist Assistant on project milestones, scheduling, and mural supply needs.
Professional Development:
- Attend workshopping sessions with Director of Youth Education about navigating instructional materials and developing student relationships through restorative communication
Student and Lead Artist-Mentor Communications:
- Maintain confidentiality while working with youth at the JJIC facility
- Maintain the respect and confidence of youth through restorative practices
- Serve as Lead Artist-Mentor point of contact for current programming info
- Communicate any student needs or conflicts to on-site social workers, Superintendent Lee Reisman and Arts New Orleans Director of Youth Education
- Communicate with Lead Artist-Mentor and Artist Assistant about their intended schedules and mural supply needs
- Communicate Lead Artist-Mentor and Artist Assistant absences or schedule updates to Director of Youth Education
LUNA Fête (Nov 14-17):
- Be present for LUNA Fête student arts market set-up, execution and breakdown
- Attend market with students and act as point of contact for the students and families
Reporting and Documentation:
- Provide information for grant reports, as requested by Deputy Director
- Maintain organized records and materials in Sharepoint
- Keep copies of all receipts and document all expenses
Salary & Benefits
This is a part-time employee position that requires working 20 hours per week, including weekday evenings and weekends. The salary is $30,000. Part-time employees do not receive health insurance or other benefits.
This part-time position is funded by a grant that will end in June 2025. We are actively fundraising to sustain this position beyond the grant term.
How to Apply
Please email a cover letter (no more than two pages), resume, and three references to jobs@artsneworleans.org. Include your name and Youth Program Facilitator & Mentor in the subject line. Resumes submitted without a cover letter or sent by a job service will not be reviewed.
Applications can be submitted until July 21, 2024, but we encourage candidates to submit their application as soon as possible. Interviews will be scheduled as resumes are received.
About Arts New Orleans & the Young Artist Movement Program
Now in its fourth decade, the Arts Council of New Orleans (dba Arts New Orleans) is a private, nonprofit organization that supports arts and culture in the city. Our mission is to improve the quality of life in New Orleans by supporting, activating, and investing in our city’s greatest natural resource: our artists, cultural producers, and creative community.
Young Artist Movement (YAM) is an arts education and workforce development program that beautifies neighborhoods and connects youth to their communities through public art and placemaking. YAM was founded in 2016 by youth advocates, artists, and educators to provide transformative job and educational opportunities for local creative youth.
YAM primarily serves Black youth, ages 14-22, who demonstrate creative passion. Youth work closely with professional artist-mentors who provide insight into the creative process and teaching techniques and ensure artistic excellence. Our young artists have created inspiring and thought-provoking murals, sculptures, digital projections, and more. In every project, our goal is to:
- Cultivate young people’s sense of belonging and connection to their community as they transform public spaces through beautiful art and positively express their voices.
- Promote socio-emotional well-being through a caring and creative environment.
- Teach youth tangible professional and entrepreneurial skills that expand their future job and educational prospects.
Another component of YAM is its Juvenile Diversion program in partnership with the District Attorney’s office. It was founded in 2021 as an alternative to prosecution and incarceration that draws on artistic expression’s healing and restorative qualities. Youth are eligible for diversion if they have a low-level, nonviolent offense. We also offer YAM at the Juvenile Justice Intervention Center, the youth detention facility located in Gentilly.
Learn more at https://www.artsneworleans.org/collection/young-artist-movement-yam/.