Academic Specialist, Pre-College 2025

SOTHEBY’S INSTITUTE OF ART

Academic Specialist, Pre-College 2025 – New York

Department: Summer Institute

Employment Type: Contractor

Minimum Experience: Mid-level

About Sotheby’s Institute of Art
Sotheby’s Institute of Art (SIA) is the pioneer in the study of art and its markets. Our academically innovative and professionally focused curriculum enables students to acquire specialized knowledge of art objects, histories, and markets to impact art and related industries. SIA is committed to fostering future generations of art business leaders and cultural stewards. The Institute offers multiple educational programs, including Master of Arts graduate degrees as well as a robust suite of non-degree adult and pre-college courses.

About Summer Institute, Pre-College
Sotheby’s Summer Institute – Pre-College offers a dynamic environment for students to explore art and its markets with personal guidance from art industry experts. These in-person courses take advantage of the rich cultural offerings available in New York City to provide a curated art world experience that will help prepare students for college-level academic expectations while also providing a snapshot of career options in the art world.
The program, which consists of two 2-week terms during the month of July, will provide students with direct access to art-world professionals and industry experts. Faculty will host daily lectures, activities, and discussions and provide inspiring guest speakers. Faculty-guided tours of museums and monuments will bring a firsthand experience of art in the city. Special events, including an artist talk and a college application session, will complement the academic content with practical knowledge that students take with them to college and beyond. All courses are taught in-person by art industry experts who have extensive academic teaching experience.

Job Summary
On a daily basis, Academic Specialists observe classes and provide pedagogical feedback to SIA academic staff to help strengthen the overall student experience. As the third adult in the classroom alongside the Lead Instructor and Instructor, Academic Specialists are a crucial organizational support for the teaching team. Academic Specialists help students with course projects via scheduled early evening office hours and provide back-up instructional support in the classroom in case of faculty absences. Academic Specialists chaperone class site visits alongside the Lead Instructor and Instructor and are responsible for wayfinding and safely and effectively managing class travel. After the end of each term, Academic Specialists review and revise evaluations of students written by faculty to create a common tone and ensure a positive, constructive, student-centered approach.

Qualifications
A Bachelor of Arts degree in a relevant field is required; a graduate degree (obtained/in progress) or professional experience is recommended. Additionally, Academic Specialists should have at least two years of assistant teaching experience or one year of experience as a lead teacher with some experience teaching or editing writing, ideally within an arts or humanities context. Academic Specialists must be CPR certified by the beginning of the program; applicants must either possess CPR certification or be willing to acquire it at their own expense in advance of the program. Three professional references are required.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Pre-Session:

• Complete asynchronous training sessions on diversity and inclusion, use of the Orah app, protection of minors, mental health first aid, de-escalation protocols, and mandated reporting. Obtain CPR/First Aid certificate at own expense.
• Attend two orientation sessions via Zoom: one focused on the Academic Specialist role, and one focused on the ethos and teaching practices of Sotheby’s Institute of Art.
• About one week prior to the term start, connect with their assigned Lead Instructor/Instructor team for introductions and any necessary course preparations.

During Session:

• Observe courses and write detailed reports on observations that include pedagogical feedback to strengthen course offerings.
• Alert SIA staff to hot spots and challenges that need to be addressed immediately.
• Support development of students’ final projects, including writing, preparatory assignments, and all creative projects.
• Staff class-specific office hours three times/term to provide students with feedback and support on homework and answer questions.
• Travel with students to and from class field trips, providing supervision and guidance on travel itinerary throughout. Map out subway routes for trips to and from campus and between locations, in collaboration with the Lead Instructor and Instructor.
• Assist Instructors in documenting attendance and student-specific concerns using the Orah app, following app best practices and promptly reporting any issues.
• Serve as on-call faculty support as needed, including but not limited to serving as backup instructor in case of faculty absences.
• Other duties as assigned, including any requests made by the Programming Team, Lead Instructor and Instructor team that help facilitate the classroom experience for students.

Post-Session:

• Review and revise narrative evaluations of students written by faculty to create a common tone and ensure a positive, constructive, student-centered approach.
• Liaise with SIA staff to review courses and provide feedback for future planning.

Instructional Dates with Open Positions:

• Term 1: July 7 - 18
• Term 2: July 21 – August 1

NOTE: SIA Academic Specialists work 30 – 40 hours per week, scheduled Monday through Friday between 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Academic Specialists will be responsible for hosting office hours from 4:30 – 5:30 PM three times during the term, which will be scheduled in advance by the program. Applicants are contracted on a term-by-term basis and should specify which of the 2 term(s) they are available in their cover letter. Those available for more than one term will be given preference.

Some tasks may be completely remote, though all applicants must be available to work in person in New York City. Knowledge of and prior experience in the City, specifically navigating the subway system, is strongly preferred.

Areas of Content Expertise
Art writing, art history, art business, cultural criticism, museums, galleries, studio art, classroom management, high school student support

Other Requirements
Academic Specialists must bring a personal laptop computer or tablet each day to complete class observation evaluations online.

Language Skills
While no special language skills are required for the position, applicants must be capable of upholding the highest standards of written and spoken English.

Teaching Experience
Academic Specialists should have at least two years of assistant teaching experience or one year of experience as a lead instructor, with some experience teaching writing, art history, and/or studio art. Academic Specialists should also have some experience with high school students, in either formal or informal educational programs.

Physical Demands
The physical demands listed here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of his/her job. Under the ADA, reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to sit for long periods of time
• Ability to travel extensively within the broader New York City area via walking and the subway system
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, travel up and down stairs, crouch, stoop, and reach
• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs.

Salary
$1,750 per term (2 weeks), as an independent contractor.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

Only qualified candidates should apply (NO RECRUITERS).

SIA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Contact
Candidates should submit their CV and a cover letter indicating their interest in the position and the term(s) that they are available. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. Candidates with availability over multiple terms will be given preference.

Job Types: Seasonal, Temporary, Contract

Pay: $875.00 per week

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

License/Certification:

• CPR Certification (Preferred)

Ability to Commute:

• New York, NY 10022 (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• New York, NY 10022: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $1,750