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VOLUNTEERS

Fill out our form to start the volunteering process. 

 

Volunteering opportunities include:

JP OPEN STUDIOS

We welcome volunteers to help out at our Faculty & Programs showcase at Jamaica Plain Open Studios. The event typically takes place the last weekend of September. Volunteers staff our welcome table, help with set-up and clean-up, and assist with other tasks.

WOODWORKING CLASSES

Are you a skilled woodworker looking for access to a wood shop?  We welcome skilled woodworkers to volunteer as Teaching Assistants in our wood shop. TAs have access to our shop during the classes where they volunteer. 

ELIOT SCHOOLYARD CONCERTS

We rely upon volunteers to help staff our annual concert series. Events take place every Sunday afternoon from June through September, skipping Independence Day and Labor Day weekends. Volunteers staff our welcome table and help with set-up and clean-up.

SCHOOL & COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP CLASSROOMS

We love volunteers who can sign up for consistent weekly work as a Teaching Assistant during the school year at our partner sites. A typical class meets once a week at a public school, library, or community center in Boston. 

 

CLASS PROPOSALS

FIND OUT HOW TO PROPOSE A CLASS

 

ART MODELS

The Eliot School regularly offers classes/workshops that feature live art models. The classroom environment is professional and welcoming, and the students have a range of experience.

Our instructors seek models with a variety of body types, backgrounds, and abilities. We require reliability, the ability to hold a pose, and agreement to the Eliot School's policies for all models.

If you are interested in modeling for a class or workshop, please complete the application form, located here: Apply. Our instructors will reach out for more information if desired.

 

JOB OPENINGS

The Eliot School staff and board have made explicit commitments to three strategic imperatives: racial equity, artistic excellence, and financial sustainability. All positions support these aims.

More than half of our students are young people of color in Boston’s public schools and community centers. Our staff and board reflect the diversity of the communities we serve. We are actively taking a thought-leadership role to interrogate racial inequity driven by foundational, structural, and historical issues in the fields of craft and art education. As part of this, we co-lead the national Racial Equity in Craft Peer Learning Group. We believe that imagination and art-making can support questioning, engagement, and recognition of one’s power to shape one’s world. As we rebuild from the pandemic, we remain committed to our mission – the mandate to serve all.

TEEN POSITIONS

Artist in Residence Intern (Part-Time, Seasonal) Download PDF

Each year, a Boston-based artist engages across the Eliot School’s programs to create work around a chosen theme. AIR Interns work with this Artist in Residence (AIR) in a process of collaborative design, art making, and community engagement. During the summer of 2024, AIR Interns will support the 2024 Artist in Residence, Alejandra Cuadra, on a collaborative project that explores themes of home, displacement, and identity.

This internship is an opportunity for young artists to grow their skills, learn new media, and contribute to a significant art project in collaboration with a professional artist and other passionate teen artists. This is a 24-hour per week commitment for a total of 5 weeks during the summer. Artist in Residence Interns are also expected to attend a series of workshops in the Spring of 2024, as well as gallery events after the end of the intensive.

Qualifications

  • Eligible for the SuccessLink program:
    • Between 14 and 18 years old at the start date of the Summer Intensive
    • City of Boston Resident
    • Authorized to work in the United States

Required Skills & Abilities

  • Passionate about visual art and using visual art as a tool for positive impact on communities
  • Demonstrate a positive attitude, growth mindset, flexibility, patience, and self-motivation
  • Exhibit a desire to improve personal, professional, art, and leadership skills
  • Reliable and timely, able to travel to the Jamaica Plain neighborhood in Boston and consistently attend programs throughout the Spring workshops and Summer Intensive.

Pay & Benefits

Hourly rate: $15 per hour during Summer Intensive.

All Eliot School employees are eligible to enroll in our retirement plan. Employees working at least 30 hours per week accrue sick time at a rate of 1 hour per 30 hours worked with an annual maximum of 40 hours. These are seasonal positions that are ineligible for insurance coverage or vacation and holiday time.

To Apply

Please send an email to Emma Green, Artist in Residence Coordinator with your resume attached in PDF or Microsoft Word format and a statement of interest that includes:

  • Why you’re interested in this opportunity
  • Past experience you have making art or working with community members
  • Your availability for the Spring Workshops and Summer Intensive dates

The priority deadline for applications is May 5.

 

TEACHING YOUTH

Youth Woodworking Teacher (part-time) Download PDF

We seek a committed, professional, and inspiring teacher who is passionate about engaging students in creative and stimulating projects. We are specifically searching for an individual who has experience and is comfortable teaching woodworking to middle school students, some of whom may have emotional, behavioral, and learning needs. The curriculum should introduce a variety of media, mesh with particular school needs–e.g. literacy and math, and build students’ confidence. Teachers are encouraged to coordinate artists’ visits each semester with the support of the Eliot School’s Youth Partnerships & Engagement Manager.

This specific position will be approximately 4.5 - 6 hours a week, occurring on Wednesdays at a Boston Public Middle School in Dorchester, MA, starting January 2024 and continuing along with the Boston Public School year through June 2024. Employment may continue through summer in our Summer Program for Children, and into the following school years.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Teach and engage diverse populations across race, cultural boundaries, and different abilities.
  • Collaborate with program and site administrators, faculty, and students.
  • Expose students to a broader social, cultural, and historical context through art.
  • Create successful sequential lessons that are developmentally appropriate.
  • Assess participant learning and evaluate overall program effectiveness, using Eliot School materials.
  • Model core values and best practices in classroom management and teaching.
  • Use the arts to foster students’ patience and perseverance and build healthy self-esteem.
  • Share genuine respect and support for all students to succeed.
  • Plan and present art displays to exhibit students’ work in the partner/school community.
  • Communicate regularly with program administration through e-mail, phone calls, and/or in person.
  • Participate in professional development provided by the Eliot School.
  • Serve as a positive ambassador for the Eliot School and uphold the organization’s mission, vision, values, and strategic direction.

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field, or equivalent experience.
  • Experience in a wide variety of woodworking techniques and some experience with visual arts experiences.
  • Working knowledge of instructional and behavior modification approaches to accommodate student needs.
  • Excellent relationship-building skills.
  • Strong time management and organizational skills.
  • Passion for engaging all students in the creative process.
  • Some experience with the development of a year-long curriculum.
  • Flexibility, patience, and self-motivation.
  • Strong communication skills: to talk with teachers, staff, administrators, and parents.
  • Ability to travel to various locations throughout Boston.
  • Bilingual fluency a plus: Spanish, Kreyol, Mandarin, etc.

STARTING COMPENSATION

$26 - $30 per hour. Increases with tenure. Health insurance (partial) if schedule averages 20 hours or more per week; employer match for 401k retirement plan; family & medical leave.

TO APPLY

Send your resume, cover letter (or video equivalent), and two professional references to Irene Rosa, Manager of Youth Partnerships & Engagement with “Youth Woodworking Teacher” in the subject line.

 

Creative Arts Lead Teacher (part-time) Download PDF

The Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts provides arts programming at Boston Public Schools, community centers, and libraries and at our schoolhouse in Jamaica Plain. Our students reflect the demographics of Boston Public Schools: 85.1% Students of Color, 32.4% English Language Learners, 73.2% economically disadvantaged, and 21.3% Students with Disabilities.

We are looking for a committed, professional, and inspiring teacher who is passionate about engaging students in creative and stimulating projects.  We are specifically searching for an individual who has experience and is comfortable teaching visual arts and woodworking to elementary and middle school students with a variety of strengths and needs. The curriculum should introduce a variety of media, mesh with school needs —e.g. literacy and math— and build confidence in the students. Teachers are encouraged to coordinate artist visits each semester with the support of Youth Programs staff. This position will be approximately 5-20 hours a week, depending on available programming.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

  • Teach and engage diverse populations across race, cultural boundaries, and different abilities
  • Collaborate with program and site administrators, faculty, and students
  • Help expose students to a broader social, cultural, and historical context through art
  • Create successful sequential lessons that are developmentally appropriate
  • Assess participant learning and evaluate overall program effectiveness
  • Model core values and best practices in classroom management and teaching
  • Use the arts to foster patience and perseverance and build healthy self-esteem
  • Share genuine affection for the population that one is teaching
  • Plan and present art displays to exhibit students’ work in the partner community
  • Communicate regularly with program administration through e-mail, phone calls, or in-person meetings
  • Participate in professional development workshops provided by the Eliot School

Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree or higher in a related field or equivalent experience
  • Experience in a wide variety of visual arts techniques and media/woodworking
  • Working knowledge of instructional and behavior modification approaches to accommodate student needs
  • Excellent classroom management skills
  • Strong time management and organizational skills
  • Passion for engaging all students in the creative process
  • 2+ years of classroom teaching experience involving the development of a year-long curriculum
  • Flexibility, patience, and self-motivation
  • Strong communication skills: to talk with teachers, staff, administrators, parents
  • Ability to travel to various locations throughout Boston
  • About the Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts

The Eliot School inspires lifelong learning in craftsmanship and creativity for all. We offer classes for all ages at our schoolhouse in woodworking and furniture, fashion and fiber arts, book arts and mixed media, drawing, photography, and other crafts. We also send instructors out to teach visual arts, woodworking, and tinkering to children and teens at 20-30 locations throughout Boston, including schools, libraries, community centers, and public housing sites. We teach 1,600 students in our schoolhouse each year, plus 2,000 children through our School Partnership Program. Find more information here.

Salary & Benefits

Starting at $25 per hour. Increases with tenure. Health insurance (partial) if schedule averages 20 hours or more per week; employer match for 401k retirement plan; family & medical leave.

To Apply

Please fill out this survey and follow the code instructions: CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY

Submit your resume, cover letter, and art samples to [email protected]. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

 

Teaching Assistant for Creative Arts (part-time) Download PDF

The Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts provides arts programming at Boston Public Schools, community centers, and libraries. Our students reflect the demographics of Boston Public Schools: 85.1% Students of Color, 32.4% English Language Learners, 73.2% economically disadvantaged, and 21.3% Students with Disabilities.

We are looking for individuals actively pursuing experience and opportunities in the field of manual arts education. Applicants must be committed to gaining hands-on experience in teaching and engaging diverse populations across race, cultural boundaries, and differing abilities. This role will expose assistants to best practices in classroom management and teaching.  Candidates should also be willing to take on additional tasks supporting the Eliot School outside of the classroom environment. We are specifically searching for candidates who have experience and are comfortable in visual arts and/or woodworking settings. Commitment is approximately 3-15 hours per week, depending on availability and experience.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

  • Use the arts to foster patience and perseverance and build healthy self-esteem
  • Help expose students to a broader social, cultural, and historical context through art
  • Assist with daily classroom logistics, including set up and clean up, as needed
  • Support lead teacher by anticipating logistical needs and reinforcing classroom expectations and management strategies
  • Model core values and best practices in behavior and teaching
  • Share genuine affection for the population that one is teaching
  • Communicate regularly with program administration through e-mail, phone calls, or in-person meetings
  • Participate in professional development workshops provided by the Eliot School

Qualifications

  • Pursuing a career in a related field
  • Experience with one or more creative arts such as woodworking, fiber arts, comics, visual arts, etc.
  • Strong time management and organizational skills
  • Passion for engaging all students in the creative process
  • Experience working with children
  • Flexibility, patience, and self-motivation
  • Strong communication skills: to talk with teachers, staff, administrators, parents
  • Ability to travel to various Boston locations
  • About the Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts

The Eliot School inspires lifelong learning in craftsmanship and creativity for all. We offer classes for all ages at our schoolhouse in woodworking and furniture, fashion and fiber arts, book arts and mixed media, drawing, photography, and other crafts. We also send instructors out to teach visual arts, woodworking, and tinkering to children and teens at 20-30 locations throughout Boston, including schools, libraries, community centers, and public housing sites. We teach 1,600 students in our schoolhouse each year, plus 2,000 children through our School Partnership Program. Find more information here.

Salary & Benefits

Starting at $18 per hour. Increases with tenure. Health insurance (partial) if schedule averages 20 hours or more per week; employer match for 401k retirement plan; family & medical leave.

To Apply

Please fill out this survey and follow the code instructions: CLICK HERE FOR SURVEY

Submit your resume, cover letter, and art samples to [email protected]. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.