Founded in 1972 in downtown Manhattan, Artists Space fosters the artistic and cultural life of New York City as a primary venue for artists’ work in all forms. An affinity with emerging ideas and artists is central to our institution, as is attentiveness to the social and intellectual concerns which actively inform artistic practice. We strive for exemplary conditions in which to produce, experience, and understand art, to be a locus of critical discourse and education, and to advocate for the capacity of artistic work to significantly define and reflect our understanding of ourselves.

Artists Space is uniquely positioned to involve students as both artists and viewers, enabling them to experience the art world as an accessible place and thereby impacting, even if in a small way, their choice to contribute to the cultural field. Fostering points of connection between the education program and Artists Space’s programming is a high priority for the organization.

Artists Space is opening up proposals for a dynamic practicing artist to lead a three year Arts and Literacy: Poetry residency at its partner school of over twenty years, P.S. 140 Nathan Straus, located in the Lower East Side.

About the Program: Expanded Art Ideas
Artists Space collaborates with schools in under-resourced communities, providing innovative artistic programming to approximately 200 students annually since the program’s inception in 2001. Creating is a tool for telling a story, processing experiences and bringing imagination to life. Many students have not attained the skills and confidence to move forward with ease in their lives for a variety of reasons- the challenge of learning English as a second language, financial and housing instability, shifting family structures and a lack of one-on-one attention during the school day, to name a few. The journey through middle school can be a time of great upheaval and questioning even without these additional challenges. Often a Visiting Artist can connect and inspire students in ways that their day-to-day school structures cannot. Exposure to professional artists, performances and dynamic inquiry and skill-based programs increases the success and self-confidence of students wishing to pursue a creative life.

Expanded Art Ideas consists of four courses that encourage middle school students to develop new artistic strategies and to utilize their expressive capacities by providing them with the skills to communicate, document, and exhibit their ideas and talents. Equally, Expanded Art Ideas enables students to translate these skills into an arts-focused high school education, and beyond.

About the residency:
Art and Literacy: Poetry is an artist residency that has been developed as a core component of Expanded Art Ideas. This 12-week residency involves the entire 8th grade at P.S. 140 and provides students in the inclusive classroom with resources and instruction in the literary arts. Working closely with Humanities curricula and staff, the residency focuses on the social and political role that poetry has played through the last century, along with the literary devices that make a poem. In the past, students have explored personal experience and experimented with a variety of poetic triggers including collage, parataxis, ekphrasis, overheard sound and conversation, observation on walks, photography, collaboration and shape poetry. Students self-select work for publication by Artists Space, accompanied by visual contributions from our other programs. Students are introduced to performance as a significant means of artistic expression through media and visiting artists, and are encouraged to participate in YAP, Young Artist Perform, an annual day of performance poetry for the school and community audience.

Teaching Artists are paid as consultants based on experience. The position will start late-January/February and conclude in April. It is a three year residency occurring at the same time every year.

• Teach two 45 minute – class sessions for an 11 week residency per academic year, 1 time per week with additional preparation time
• Meet with Language Arts teacher, Louis Vircillo and Director of Education, Kate Temple to plan residency
• Prepare and organize the students’ poems for Artists Space publication
• Prepare students for Young Artist Perform (YAP) performance day (12th session)
• Organize media and or visiting artists as needed

Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years teaching experience (teaching residencies are fine)
• Spanish/English proficiency strongly preferred
• Ability to work collaboratively with Artists Space and school staff, as well as independently in a responsible manner
• Ability to inspire creativity and enthusiasm, and to encourage students to take risks and think outside the box
• Vision for how the program could grow and change to meet the needs of the students
• Active publishing and/or performance history
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• An interest in participating in Artists Space events ie openings, readings, performances
• Compassion and commitment to working with students from diverse backgrounds
• Fingerprinting by the NYC Department of Education is required to teach in the schools

The position will start late-January/February and conclude in April. It is a three year residency occurring at the same time every year.

Please send cover letter and resume to jobs@artistsspace.org by November 1, 2024