Teaching at the Banana Factory
The Banana Factory Arts Center is part of the larger non-profit ArtsQuest and houses all ArtsQuest’s Visual Arts and Education Programing. The Banana Factory is focused on providing the community with diverse artistic and cultural experiences through our year-round programming, which includes a wide variety of visual arts classes for all skill levels and ages. We strive not only to bring out the creativity of all our students but to support the creativity and growth of our Teaching Artists through a multitude of various teaching opportunities across our programs and professional development opportunities. We seek out and encourage all teaching artists with a passion and commitment to engaging in arts education, professional development, and equity and access in the arts to apply below!
COVID-19 UPDATE
The Banana Factory Arts Center has always opened its doors to the public to enjoy and create art seven days a week, including access to our galleries, hot glass studio, Resident Artist studios, and classrooms. Our building closed on March 16, 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Beginning in July 2020, we slowly began re-opening our building in a way that prioritizes the health and safety of our visitors, artists, and staff. Continuing into 2021, we resumed a roster of small-capacity classes and events, along with virtual and hybrid class options. 2022 starts our official return to “normal” with full capacity in-person classes. Our building is currently open to the public during regular building hours.
We are seeking teachers who are comfortable with a range of teaching options during this time.
Eligibility and Criteria
- Applicant should be a professional artist and/or educator with expertise in one or more arts disciplines. Applicants have a degree(s) in the Fine Arts, Art Education, or other related fields and/or related work experience/training of at least 2 years.
- Applicant must be able to obtain copies of PA State Police Criminal Record Check and PA Child Abuse History and submit them to ArtsQuest before beginning any teaching program. Additional documentation, such a fingerprinting, may be required for some education programs depending on the requirements listed by schools and other community institutions where our programs take place.
- Applicants, if contracted for classes, must provide copies of their Certificates of Insurance to ArtsQuest.
Applicants will be considered based on:
- Artistic excellence as demonstrated by samples of the artist’s work, training, and experience, resume, and letters of recommendation.
- Good communication skills as evidenced by the application, work samples, recommendations, and subsequent interview.
- Experience, interest, and the ability to work with students as evidenced by credentials in education, application, letters of recommendation, sample lesson plans, resume/CV, and interview with staff.
Teacher Compensation
Teaching Artists are considered Independent Contractors and are paid by the program, class, and/or workshop.
Classes and Programs
ArtsQuest hires Teaching Artists for a wide range of programs, including but not limited to:
- Visual Arts Classes for all ages and levels in the mediums of ceramics, drawing/painting, print media, photography, mosaics, sculpture, mixed media, fiber arts, pastels, art & mindfulness, illustration, digital design, photo-editing, and jewelry/metalsmithing.
- Visual Arts Camps for students ages 4-17 during the summer season and winter/holiday season.
- After-School Programs, such as our ArtSmart Program, working with Elementary to Middle School students.
- Field Trips for students of all ages/levels
- Creative Aging programs that work with seniors
- Other School/Community Partner Residencies throughout the year with a variety of students/age levels.
- Workshops and Art Classes for Veterans Groups
- Art History/Contemporary lectures/workshops/appreciation series
- Group critiques for emerging or student artists
- Art Therapy Programs (certification documents required)
ArtsQuest is specifically looking to expand our teaching roster to Teaching Artists with experience in:
- Working with students who have special needs.
- Developing programs and classes which are sensory-friendly.
- Ability to teach classes in languages other than English – especially interested in applicants who are fluent in Spanish.
- Teachers with the ability to work in an online, virtual setting, due to lasting needs related to COVID-19.
- Teachers with experience in early childhood education.
- Teachers with experience teaching at the high school level for after-school/arts education programs.
Applicants for Teaching Artists are reviewed on a rolling basis by the Visual Arts and Education Staff. Teaching Artists will be contacted by ArtsQuest staff for an interview if their qualifications and proposed lesson plans meet our current program needs. After submitting the form below, you will receive a confirmation email indicating that your form has been received.
