The Institute of Contemporary Art strives to share the pleasures of reflection, inspiration, provocation, and imagination that contemporary art offers through public access to art, artists, and the creative process.
Teen arts education is central to the ICA. At the ICA, we believe that robust arts education—including learning by doing—is critical to building future artists, audiences, and engaged citizens, and we aim to create more equitable education for teens. Members of our Teen Programs return year after year, becoming familiar faces who we get to see learn, grow, do amazing things, and head out into the world.
Photo Collective is a longstanding program at the ICA, in which teens learn photography skills and storytelling. This year, Photo Collective is shifting into a paid programming model for teens in order to honor our young people’s work, create deeper ties to the community, and shifting the program model in order to build professional, workforce, and personal development skills in addition to the photography skills members will gain.
Photo Collective Members will learn to create and capture well-composed images independently that can be curated into a collaborative project with other Photo Collective Members. Photography Collective Members will learn about the history of Boston’s neighborhoods, the principles of photography and design, emerging and contemporary artists exploring similar topics, and the role of photographic books and zines within the history of photography and contemporary art. Participating teens will learn to use digital media tools like DSLR cameras, lighting equipment, and editing software, and additional supportive tools and skills to create a collaborative project.
Scope of Services: The Teaching Artist for Photography Collective Contractor shall provide the following services:
- Develop scope and sequence for a 100-hour program with consideration of learning objectives and project outcomes set by ICA Staff
- Write plans for individual sessions of program
- Support the teens in Photo Collective, including by facilitating their creative practice
- Oversee prep, set up, execution, and cleanup during programming
- Coordinate with ICA Education staff to procure any materials necessary for their workshops
- Participate in program events and activities, that may take place outside of regularly scheduled programming
- Participate in post workshop debriefs and assessment
Qualified Candidates must possess
- Experience creating spaces with teens that amplify young creatives, and center youth voice
- Experience working with digital media tools like DSLR cameras, photo studio equipment, audio recorders, editing software (Adobe Photoshop), lighting equipment, etc.
- Demonstrated background in working with teens and engaging diverse audiences
- Understanding of creative youth development and the ability to implement positive youth development values within curriculum
- Ability to work collaboratively with young people and facilitate creative technical skills, build confidence & community among the young people, and create a teen-centered space
- Ability to pass a CORI screening is required for this position
Performance Period and Availability
The Teaching Artist must be available for all Photography Collective programs as follows:
- November 7, 2023 – April 11, 2023: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 pm – 7:30 pm
- November 20 – 24 2023, December 14, 2023 – January 17, 2024, and February 19 – 23, 2024: No programming scheduled
- April 25, 2024: Teaching Artist must be available for a culminating event
The Teaching Artist should also plan to spend approximately 15 additional hours developing a scope and sequence for the program, writing plans for individual sessions, and meeting with ICA staff regarding curriculum development. In total, Teaching Artists should plan to be available for the estimated 135 hours of direct service and 15 hours of curriculum development.
Compensation
This position is a contract, part-time position with a stipend. Please see the section below to submit your proposed flat fee for this project.
To Apply
Interested candidates should send a C.V., cover letter, and proposal that includes example agendas for at least 3 workshops on how you would approach facilitating a workshop that builds the necessary skills and knowledge within Photo Collective members for them to later facilitate the same or a similar workshop for other teens in Boston that focuses on photography and/or storytelling, identity, exploring their communities, or a topic related to the current exhibitions on view at the ICA. This component is to give us a general sense of how you plan to facilitate a project like this.
In addition, please include proposed payment for the scope of services for the estimated 135 hours of direct service & 15 hours of curriculum development in the form of a flat fee. Please email the C.V., cover letter, and proposal to Madeline Muhlberg, Teen New Media Program Manager at MMuhlberg@ICABoston.org by September 30, 2023
The ICA is located at 25 Harbor Shore Drive, Boston, and is accessible by public transportation Red and Silver Line.
Other Locations:
Seaport Studio ICA Watershed Boston Harbor Shipyard
100 Pier 4 Blvd, Second Floor 256 Marginal Street
Boston, MA 02210 East Boston, MA 02128
The ICA is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic workforce committed to working in a multicultural environment. Qualified candidates from groups historically underrepresented in the museum professions are strongly encouraged to apply.
The ICA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an EOE/AA employer dedicated to fair and inclusive employment practices for all individuals. The ICA is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, contact HR-EOE@icaboston.org or 617-478-3171.