Art Specialist

Job Title: Art Specialist

Reports To: Program Director

FSLA Status: Seasonal,12 week, non-exempt

Salary: $20-25 per hour, depending on experience

Position Summary:Telluride Academy is seeking a passionate and creative Art Specialist to join our dynamic team for the summer season. This role is ideal for individuals who excel in fostering creativity, inspiring young minds, and creating engaging art projects (both group and individual) while overseeing Telluride Academy’s Art program. The Art Specialist will work closely with Field Instructors and groups of students ages 5-14, both in the Art classroom and out in the field, while delivering safe, educational, and fun art experiences that align with Telluride Academy's mission to inspire imagination and appreciation for the arts and the outdoors.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Pre-Summer Preparation:
  • Review the previous summer’s Art specific programs and projects. Create a similar excel spreadsheet for the upcoming season while reviewing Airtable programs with the Program Director.  
  • Highlight, link, and date specific materials for programs that will need ordering for the upcoming season.  
  • Take inventory and organize Telluride Academy’s Art supplies.  Order any generic art supplies that all Telluride Academy programs will use.  
  • Plan and facilitate an all-staff art activity during staff training while providing an overview of Telluride Academy’s Art program.  
• Summer Programming:
  • Develop and implement age-appropriate, themed art projects for up to three student groups per day.
  • Manage an art budget, ensuring projects are creative, cost-effective, and well-resourced.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe art room environment.
  • Collaborate with instructors to align art activities with program themes.
  • Facilitate engaging, hands-on art sessions that inspire creativity and self-expression.
  • Plan and prepare for upcoming projects during designated Friday planning times
  • Perform any additional duties as assigned or deemed necessary by administration to support the organization's goals and operations.

Qualifications:

• Passion for art education and inspiring youth.
• Strong decision-making and organizational skills.
• Previous experience working with children in group settings.
• Demonstrated ability to design and deliver creative art programs.
• Current CPR and Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification (or ability to obtain before employment start). Wilderness First Responder (WFR) certification preferred.
• Valid driver's license and ability to operate program vehicles safely (if applicable).
• Must successfully pass background checks in accordance with organizational and state requirements.

Working Conditions:

• Ability to work indoors or outdoors for prolonged periods of time in various weather conditions, including heat, cold, wind, and rain.

• Willingness to work in remote, wilderness, or high-altitude environments with limited facilities.

• Comfort with exposure to insects, wildlife, and natural elements as part of outdoor programming.

• Ability to work flexible hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and extended shifts, based on program needs.

• Ability to travel to and from program locations, including remote trailheads or campgrounds.

Additional Requirements:

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs safely and repeatedly throughout the workday.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with children, staff, and parents in a positive and professional manner.

• Ability to lead group activities and provide instruction to diverse age groups.

• Maintain physical activity for up to 8–10 hours a day, including hiking and traversing uneven terrain.

• Swim and assist in water-based activities as needed.

Schedule:

• Art programs run Monday-Thursday both in the classroom and in the field, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM, with Fridays allocated for planning and preparation. Roughly 20-30 hours per week, depending on the Art activity allocations for all of the camps in a given week.  
• The Art Specialist role begins in late May, with pre-summer work and training required.  
• Time at the end of the season is required for completing an inventory and storage of Art materials for the winter.  
• The Art Specialist is given the flexibility to customize Art-specific programming and tailor major art projects (both group and individual) for Telluride Academy camps, contributing to the Academy’s long-standing success.
• Telluride Academy staff meet on Fridays for all-staff meetings, program planning, and additional training/workshops. 

About Telluride Academy:

Telluride Academy is committed to “Inspiring children and teens through experiential education that promotes physical activity, creative learning, environmental stewardship, responsibility to others and positive life choices." Based in the San Juan Mountains, Telluride Academy is Telluride's premier summer camp and has been inspiring youth through outdoor education and adventure for over 40 years. Join us in creating unforgettable memories for the next generation of adventurers! Please www.tellurideacademy.org to learn more.  

Core Values:

• Enrichment through experiential education.
• Inclusion of children and teens from all backgrounds.
• Respect for individual uniqueness.
• Responsible environmental stewardship.

Hiring Policy:

Telluride Academy (TA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws and ordinances. Telluride Academy's management team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs and general treatment during employment.

TA will endeavor to make a reasonable accommodation of an otherwise qualified applicant or employee related to an individual's: physical or mental disability; sincerely held religious beliefs and practices; and/or any other reason required by applicable law, unless doing so would impose an undue hardship upon TA's business operations.

Salary : $20 - $25