2026 Art Specialist - NY & NJ

Kids in the Game•New York, NY

1d•$650 - $800•Onsite

About The Position

TURN YOUR SUMMER INTO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY – BECOME A SEASONAL ART SPECIALIST WITH KIDS IN THE GAME! Empower Staff, Inspire Campers, and Build a Summer That Matters. Kids in the Game provides unforgettable day camp experiences for hundreds of New York children across Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and now Westchester & Jersey City! When you join the Kids in the Game summer camp leadership cohort, you’ll be part of a dynamic team of Camp Directors, Assistant Directors, and 275+ coaches running outstanding programming at our 13 summer day camps. THE KIDS IN THE GAME SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE Kids in the Game camps are where sports, creativity, and community come together to shape confident, compassionate, and connected kids. Every summer, our camps across New York City, Westchester & Jersey City bring together diverse groups of children to explore new sports, build friendships, develop positive social skills, and learn how to be part of a team. Our camps offer kids a uniquely designed blend of sports and games, arts and crafts, STEM enrichment, field trips, swim activities, theme weeks, and all-camp special events to make every week the highlight of a child's summer. Each day is fueled by energy, laughter, and belonging. Our team of camp leaders, specialists, and counselors create an environment where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to try something new. We believe camp is more than a summer activity — it’s a place where kids discover who they are and who they can become. As a Certified B Corporation, we're also on a mission to positively impact the lives of all of our stakeholders - campers, families, staff, community members, and our partners. We’re looking for Art Specialists who want to be positive role models, build emotional intelligence, boost confidence, create inclusive communities, and help bring high-quality camp experiences to kids across NYC, Westchester and Jersey City.. Your Leadership Can Change the Game — Join Kids in the Game This Summer. Art SPECIALIST ROLE & KEY TASKS As an Art Specialist, you will report to the Programming Assistant Director and Camp Leadership Team and work collaboratively with counselors and fellow specialists to deliver daily visual arts and creative programming. You are responsible for leading structured art activity periods, supporting counselors during creative time, and ensuring a safe, inclusive, and engaging art environment throughout the camp day. This role is hands-on, creativity-driven, and leadership-focused, requiring strong communication skills, organization, adaptability, and a passion for youth development through artistic expression. We currently have 12 New York based camp locations and 1 Jersey City camp location. The sites and addresses are: Westchester & The Bronx: Westchester-Crestwood - 465 Westchester Ave, Tuckahoe, NY 10707 Riverdale - 3120 Corlear Ave, Bronx, NY 10463 Manhattan: Inwood - 532 W 215th St, New York, NY 10034 Upper West Side - 147 W 70th St, NY, NY 10023 West Village - 272 W 10th St, New York, NY 10014 Upper East Side (Carnegie Hill)- 4 E 90th St, NY, NY 10128 Upper East Side (Yorkville) - 540 East 76th Street, New York, NY 10021 East Village - 44 E 2nd St, NY, NY 10003 Brooklyn: Park Slope - 588 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215 Greenpoint - 100 Dobbin St, Brooklyn, NY 11222 Fort Greene - 39 Adelphi St, Brooklyn, NY 11205 Jersey City: 118 Ferry St. Jersey City, NJ 07307 You must be able to arrive by 7:45am daily via public transportation or personal transportation (car) and stay on-site until 4:15pm daily (and until 5:30pm twice per week to support after care activities).

Requirements

Is enthusiastic, dependable, and passionate about youth development through sports
Has experience leading sports, recreation, or group activities with children
Is confident managing groups of varying sizes and age ranges
Communicates clearly and works well as part of a team
Demonstrates strong organization, adaptability, and problem-solving skills
Can pass required background checks and provide medical clearance

Nice To Haves

CPR, First Aid, and AED certification preferred (or willingness to obtain)

Responsibilities

Lead 45-minute art activity periods throughout the camp day
Provide structured, age-appropriate art instruction for campers Pre-K through middle school
Teach and facilitate a variety of creative projects, including but not limited to: Drawing, painting, collage, sculpture, mixed media, and craft-based projects
Process-based art activities focused on exploration and creativity
Theme-based art projects aligned with weekly camp themes and special events
Demonstrate techniques clearly while encouraging creative freedom and individual expression
Adapt projects to different age groups, skill levels, and attention spans
Align daily art activities with camp schedules, themes, and special programming
Foster creativity, self-expression, and confidence through art
Encourage campers to experiment, take creative risks, and share their ideas
Support campers in developing fine motor skills, focus, and problem-solving
Celebrate campers’ artistic efforts and accomplishments
Create opportunities for campers to reflect on and talk about their artwork
Work closely with counselors to help them confidently support art activities
Communicate clearly with Camp Directors and Assistant Directors regarding camper needs, behavior, or supply considerations
Support all-camp events, theme days, art displays, and special programming
Contribute positively to staff culture, collaboration, and team morale
Prioritize camper safety at all times by following Department of Health regulations and camp safety protocols
Safely manage art materials, tools, and supplies appropriate to each age group
Set up, maintain, and clean art spaces daily
Keep materials organized, accessible, and age-appropriate
Actively supervise campers during activities, transitions, and cleanup
Identify and respond to camper behavior concerns and report issues promptly to leadership
Assist with incident documentation and reporting as directed