Position Title: Gallery Teacher for K-12 Groups – Contract position
Department: Education
Contract Period: September 2025 to June 2026 (part-time)
The Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston 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.
The Education Department seeks applicants for Gallery Teachers for K-12 Groups to lead guided visits for school-aged groups during the school year.
Overview: During guided visits, K-12 groups explore how contemporary artists question and make sense of the world. Through thoughtfully crafted gallery lessons that offer opportunities for reflection, close looking, and critical thinking, K-12 guided visits nurture student agency, honor student curiosity, and embrace the diversity of thought and experience that students bring to the ICA. The contract Gallery Teachers for K-12 Groups lead guided visits for school-aged groups during the 2025-2026 school year. Gallery Teachers collaborate with Education staff to develop and teach thematic, multimodal gallery lessons based on ICA exhibitions that incorporate guided discussion and activities.
The Gallery Teacher for K-12 Groups position requires onsite presence.
Scope of Work:
- Work with ICA Education staff and the Gallery Teacher team to plan and implement guided visits for K-12 groups, with an emphasis on grades 8-12.
- Develop gallery lessons.
- Lead guided visits for K-12 groups on site at the ICA and ICA Watershed.
- Attend virtual and in-person planning and debrief meetings with ICA Education staff and the Gallery Teacher team.
- Participate in post-visit debriefs and assessment.
Qualifications:
- Background or experience in studio art, art education, art history, or museum education.
- K-12 teaching experience in a classroom, museum, or community program setting. Experience with gallery teaching or lesson plan development, a plus.
- Demonstrated commitment to creating supportive learning environments focused on valuing students’ backgrounds and experiences. Practice in culturally responsive, inclusive, equitable and anti-bias teaching practices a plus.
- Ability to adjust communication styles to accommodate audiences of diverse backgrounds, ages, and abilities.
- Ability to work collaboratively, meet deadlines, communicate clearly and in a timely manner, and be punctual for all teaching assignments and meetings.
- Additional language proficiency other than English a plus; proficiency in Spanish and/or Haitian Creole highly desired.
- Must pass a CORI screening prior to contract engagement as required for this position.
Physical Requirements:
- Possess mobility to move about throughout the museum.
- Prolonged periods of standing and/or moving about while teaching.
- Ability to see, listen and talk for extended periods in person.
- Ability to understand printed materials.
- Must be able to exchange accurate information with visitors, staff, departments, and vendors.
- Travel to Watershed via water taxi requires traveling down a dock ramp and transferring to the boat (boarding boat requires stepping over/on and three steps down).
Compensation: $55.00 per hour
Engagement Period:
This is a part-time, contract position with an average of up to 15 hours/month. Teaching takes place onsite at the ICA and seasonally at the ICA Watershed (East Boston). Guided Visits for K-12 groups are scheduled Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings during the school year. Wednesday mornings are added during the busy spring field trip season, April-June. The teaching schedule varies week-to-week based on group demand and the Gallery Teacher’s availability. Team meetings take place monthly on Wednesday mornings. Additional meetings, both virtual and onsite, are scheduled throughout the contract period. Prep work is also required.
To apply:
Interested candidates should send a letter of interest, resume or CV, a brief statement on your teaching philosophy, and the contact information for 3 references to Amy Briggs Kemeza at abriggskemeza@icaboston.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. Priority deadline for review is August 10, 2025.
The ICA is located at 25 Harbor Shore Drive, Boston, and is accessible by public transportation (Red and Silver Line).
Other Locations:
Seaport Studio
100 Pier 4 Blvd, Second Floor
Boston, MA 02210
ICA Watershed
256 Marginal Street
Boston, MA 02128
The ICA values building a pluralistic workforce to foster a culture of collaboration, community and respect. We are committed to hiring talented, creative and qualified candidates from all backgrounds.
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, the ICA is committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are dedicated to fair employment practices for all individuals, adhering to all non-discrimination laws. 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 (as defined by the ADA) to participate in the job application or interview process, contact HR-EOE@icaboston.org or 617-478-3171.