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Teaching Artist - Photography
Submitted on 23/Feb/21
Organization:
Country:
- United States
US State:
- New York
Job Level:
- Experienced (non manager)
Contract type:
- Contract
Background
Through its free photography programs, the Josephine Herrick Project (JHP) works to transform the lives of individuals facing social, physical, and economic barriers in life. We partner with schools, human service agencies, health care facilities, libraries, and community organizations to deliver customized and hands-on digital photography courses taught by professional photographers and teaching artists. For JHP participants, the camera is a transformative tool, helping individuals build self-confidence and visual literacy, think creatively and critically, engage actively with their communities, tell their own stories, and advocate for themselves, effecting change in their own lives and the world around them.
The Josephine Herrick Project was established in 1941 by pioneer photographer, Josephine Herrick. Her work with active duty soldiers and veterans during and since WWII highlights the power of photography to transform lives. Working in VA hospitals, as well as Medical and Veterans Centers, Herrick taught photography as part of a holistic rehabilitation program for disabled service personnel. With the success of her efforts, the organization has expanded to serve the diversity of populations and organizations we work with today, which includes, but is not limited to: Veterans, Youth, Senior Citizens, Individuals with Disabilities, Immigrants, and Adults with Alzheimer’s.
Position Description
JHP Teaching Artists are practicing artists who work as independent contractors with JHP to facilitate customized courses in digital photography and visual storytelling for our partner organizations. Working with a Teaching Assistant and resources provided by the Josephine Herrick Project, Teaching Artists design and facilitate an introductory photography program that is appropriate, relevant, and engaging for their student population, guiding students in the completion of a culminating visual project. Courses generally meet weekly for 1-2 hours, lasting anywhere from 6-16 weeks. All classes are currently meeting online.
Responsibilities
Attend the JHP training when offered and a planning meeting with the partner organization
Adapt JHP’s Core Curriculum for your program context and submit a detailed syllabus to the Director of Programs in advance of the course
Facilitate online photography sessions, using a student-centered, experiential model and ensuring all students are engaged and learning
Teach students basic camera functions and techniques in lighting, composition, and visual literacy
Facilitate regular peer critiques and discussions about images
Regularly upload and review student work, sending the best images to JHP for a final exhibition
Supervise and support the professional development of a Teaching Assistant
Ensure that students complete and submit Enrollment Forms, Waivers, and Course Evaluations
Communicate regularly with the Director of Programs about progress, needs, and challenges
Serve as an ambassador for the Josephine Herrick Project when at partner organizations
Qualifications
Experience as a professional photographer and/or teaching artist is required. B.A. / M.A. in a related field, preferred
Experience working with any of JHP’s specialized populations (listed above) is desired
Commitment to JHP’s mission of photography as a transformative tool for storytelling, advocacy, self-expression, and community engagement
Flexibility and willingness to adapt and adjust on the fly
Must be reliable and punctual
Ability to teach and navigate through Zoom or Google Meets
Ability to commit for the entire duration of the program
Fluency in Mandarin or Cantonese is highly desirable
Benefits
This is an hourly, part-time, independent contractor position
Starting pay is $35/hr, and $40/hr for teachers who have participated in our professional development workshop and taught with JHP for at least one program
Network with other teaching artists and photographers
Access to JHP’s trainings, professional development workshops, and digital resource library