Education Outreach Instructor

Saugatuck Center for the Arts•Saugatuck, MI

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Education Outreach Instructor expands access to arts and wellness by bringing high-quality creative learning experiences to children and youth throughout the region. As one of SCA’s primary youth educators and ambassadors, this position develops and facilitates engaging K–12 and youth-focused programming in schools, libraries, nonprofit organizations, parks, and community spaces. The role is being added to expand and grow 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. The instructor works closely with the Director of Education & Exhibitions and the Education Programs Manager to advance SCA’s mission through collaborative partnerships, creative teaching, and community-centered programming. The instructor serves as a primary educator for K–12 and youth outreach, implementing multi-week in-school programs, field trips, after-school programs, youth workshops, Artist in Residence experiences, and other learning opportunities. The role also supports community-based outreach for adults, including older adults and individuals with disabilities. The instructor develops and adapts age-appropriate, interdisciplinary lessons; facilitates multisensory learning connected to SCA exhibitions and annual themes; and supports experimental, process-driven learning that encourages creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and self-expression. The position collaborates with Creative Fellows, Artists in Residence, visiting artists, and teaching artists, and mentors artists in classroom facilitation and community-based teaching practices. It manages the SCA Art Truck (the WiP), teaching materials, tools, and equipment; coordinates preparation and transportation for off-site programs; and maintains safety practices in mobile and community learning environments. The instructor also supports festivals, community celebrations, performances, exhibition openings, and special events, including some evenings and weekends. Program coordination includes preparing spaces and materials, collecting participant feedback, maintaining records and inventories, and collaborating across departments. This is a full-time, community-based position in Saugatuck, Michigan. The schedule includes regular daytime teaching hours, frequent evenings and weekends, and flexible or remote work during the year with supervisor approval. The position reports to the Education Programs Manager. The stated salary range is $48,000–$55,000. 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 classroom, nonprofit, arts, therapeutic, community-based, or other informal learning environments; 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 participate safely and effectively in program setup, transportation, and facilitation, including moving and handling art materials and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
Strong classroom and group leadership skills, with the ability to guide learners of all ages through hands-on experiences and adapt instruction in real time to different learning styles, developmental stages, interests, abilities, and needs.
Ability to create welcoming, inclusive, joyful, and well-structured learning environments, establish clear expectations, 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.
Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, work independently, and collaborate across departments and with artists, educators, and community partners.
Comfort working in varied educational and community environments throughout the region and transporting materials and equipment as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience in museum education, creative youth development, or community arts is especially valued.
Three years of experience teaching, facilitating, or leading youth is preferred.
Deep curiosity about art, culture, and creativity, with a passion for helping others explore, develop, and express their creativity.

Responsibilities

Serve as a primary educator for SCA’s K–12 and youth outreach programs throughout the region.
Implement multi-week in-school programs for grades K–12, facilitate field trips, after-school programs, youth workshops, Artist in Residence experiences, and other youth-focused learning opportunities.
Support and facilitate community-based outreach programming for adult audiences, including older adults and individuals with disabilities, by developing and strengthening partnerships.
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 across a variety of settings.
Support process-driven, experimental learning that encourages creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, and self-expression.
Capture data reflecting program outcomes and participant experiences.
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, keeping 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 across 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 collaboratively across departments to align educational programming with exhibitions, performances, and broader organizational initiatives.
Perform other duties as assigned.