¡Oye! Group is a Bushwick-based creative incubator for artists, students, and community members of all ages, both local and immigrant to New York City. Our work is grounded in the act of listening that gave us our company name: we curate art that sparks a dialogue over the political and social issues that our community tells us are critical to them. We present an eclectic mix of theater, dance, poetry, music, video installations, and film through festivals and productions. We work with emerging artists to create, play, and grow in an environment that challenges and supports them, and we engage youth and adults alike through high-quality arts education that provides them with the tools to generate forward-thinking art that compliments the work on our stages.

New Beginnings is ¡Oye! Group’s year-long Arts Education & Career Development program for justice-involved youth. This paid one-year program is held every Saturday from 10am-4pm at ¡Oye! Group’s multipurpose space in Bushwick, Brooklyn. The instructional modules are 5-7 weeks long and taught by working NYC artists in their respective fields. Every other month, there will be professional development and wellness classes such as job-training and experiential learning. The program will be overseen by the Lead Teaching Artist, an arts educator with experience and expertise in working with justice-involved youth. The program will introduce participants, over the course of the year, to: film, poetry, theater, visual arts, dance, and creative writing.

The Lead Teaching Artist will lead engaging, inclusive class sessions aligned with program curriculum and goals while supporting ongoing curriculum development and review. They will collaborate with Guest Teaching Artists and Teaching Assistants to plan lessons, foster student engagement, and maintain a supportive classroom environment. The LTA will provide student mentorship, monitor student progress and well-being, and support the coordination of student showcases and exhibitions. The LTA will foster a safe, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive environment that upholds safeguarding policies and professional boundaries.

• Teach and facilitate engaging class sessions aligned with program curriculum and goals.
• Support the development and ongoing review of program curriculum.
• Collaborate with Guest Teaching Artists and the Teaching Assistant to support lesson planning, classroom management, and student engagement.
• Provide regular student office hours, and mentorship.
• Monitor student progress, attendance, and well-being, and communicate relevant concerns to the Community & Program Manager.
• Document class progress and provide feedback on student work and curriculum.
• Support the planning and execution of student showcases, exhibitions, and community presentations.
• Participate in program orientations, staff check-ins, and other scheduled program activities.
• Maintain a safe, inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive classroom environment.
• Follow all safeguarding policies and maintain appropriate professional boundaries when working with minors and vulnerable populations.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience teaching, facilitating, or mentoring young people in an arts or creative-learning setting
• Strong classroom facilitation and management skills
• Experience developing or adapting arts-based curriculum
• Excellent communication, organization, and collaboration skills
• Commitment to trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and inclusive teaching practices
• Experience working with justice-involved youth or other vulnerable populations is strongly preferred.
• A strong enthusiasm for bringing creativity into the classroom.
• Ability to take initiative, adapt to changing needs, and work collaboratively with program staff and teaching artists.

If interested, please send a cover letter, your resume, and relevant links to work samples to Community & Program Manager, Isabella Morales, at isabella@oyegroup.org with “New Beginnings Lead Teaching Artist” in the subject line.