Education Outreach Instructor

Saugatuck Center for the Arts•Saugatuck Township, MI

1d•$48,000 - $55,000

About The Position

The Education Outreach Instructor expands access to arts and wellness by bringing creative learning experiences to children and youth throughout the region. As a primary youth educator and ambassador for the Saugatuck Center for the Arts (SCA), the instructor develops and facilitates K–12 and youth-focused programming in schools, libraries, nonprofit organizations, parks, and other community spaces. The role was added to expand outreach offerings, with approximately 50% of work occurring off-site and 50–80% of creative programming taking place off-site depending on the time of year. Working closely with the Director of Education & Exhibitions and the Education Programs Manager, the instructor supports the SCA mission through collaborative partnerships, creative teaching, and community-centered programming. The position also supports community-based programs for adult audiences, including older adults and individuals with disabilities; collaborates with artists; manages mobile arts materials and the SCA Art Truck (the WiP); and helps deliver arts activities at festivals and special events. This is a full-time, community-based position with regular daytime teaching hours, frequent evenings and weekends, and flexible or remote work available throughout the year with supervisor approval. The position reports to the Education Programs Manager. The salary range is $48,000–$55,000, and the ideal start date is January 11, 2027.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Art Education, Fine Arts, Museum Education, Youth Development, or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
At least 1 year of experience teaching, facilitating, or leading youth in a classroom, nonprofit, arts, therapeutic, community-based, or other informal learning environment; 3 years is preferred.
Valid driver’s license and ability to travel regularly throughout the region, including safely operating a 22-foot box truck, with reasonable accommodation as needed.
Ability to safely participate in program setup, transportation, and facilitation, including moving and handling art materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
Strong classroom and group leadership, relationship-building, organizational, and communication skills.
Ability to adapt instruction in real time to diverse learning styles, developmental stages, interests, abilities, and needs.
Ability to create welcoming, inclusive, joyful, and well-structured learning environments and use positive, responsive behavior-management strategies.
Demonstrated interest and experience engaging with people from diverse backgrounds and commitment to equitable access to arts education and meaningful community engagement.
Ability to manage multiple projects, work independently, and collaborate effectively across departments and with artists, educators, and community partners.
Comfort working in varied educational and community environments and transporting materials and equipment as needed.

Nice To Haves

Three years of experience teaching, facilitating, or leading youth; one year is the stated minimum.
Experience in museum education, creative youth development, or community arts.
Experience teaching, facilitating, or leading youth in classroom, nonprofit, arts, therapeutic, community-based, or other informal learning environments.

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary educator for SCA K–12 and youth outreach programs throughout the region.
Implement multi-week in-school programming for grades K–12 and facilitate field trips, after-school programs, youth workshops, Artist in Residence experiences, and other youth learning opportunities.
Support community-based outreach programming for adults, including older adults and individuals with disabilities, by developing and strengthening partnerships that expand access to the arts.
Develop and adapt age-appropriate, interdisciplinary learning experiences in response to learner needs, program goals, and community contexts.
Build positive working relationships with teachers, youth-serving organizations, site partners, and families to support program delivery and equitable access to arts education.
Facilitate multidisciplinary, multisensory lesson plans connected to SCA exhibitions and annual themes.
Prepare and lead mobile classroom, gallery, outreach, Artist in Residence, and exhibition-based educational programming in varied settings.
Support process-driven, experimental learning that encourages creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and self-expression.
Capture data on program outcomes and participant experiences to help strengthen educational impact and effectiveness.
Collaborate with Creative Fellows, Artists in Residence, visiting artists, and teaching artists to develop and facilitate educational experiences.
Mentor artists in classroom facilitation, youth engagement, and community-based teaching practices.
Manage the SCA Art Truck (the WiP), including inventory, supply purchasing, maintenance coordination, organization, and vehicle safety protocols.
Manage outreach teaching materials, tools, and equipment; keep supplies inventoried, organized, maintained, and ready for programming.
Coordinate preparation, packing, transportation, setup, and return of materials for mobile and off-site programming.
Maintain studio and outreach safety practices in mobile and community-based learning environments.
Collaborate on planning and facilitating hands-on arts activities for festivals, community celebrations, and special events, including Jump Into Summer and Mountainfilm Festival on Tour.
Deliver drop-in art experiences responsive to SCA exhibitions, annual themes, and community interests.
Support educational programming connected to select performances, exhibition openings, and special events, including evenings and weekends.
Coordinate logistics and preparation for outreach programming and community partnerships, ensuring spaces, materials, schedules, and other needs are ready.
Collaborate with the Facilities Manager on room layouts and learning environments that support educational goals and visitor experience.
Gather participant feedback and observations; maintain program records, inventories, and documentation for grant reporting and continuous improvement.
Work across departments to align educational programming with exhibitions, performances, and organizational initiatives.
Perform other duties as assigned.