Scottsdale Arts' Learning & Innovation department seeks teaching artists specializing in the performing arts, e.g., dance, drama, music, puppetry, storytelling, etc., to join its regional arts integration, in-classroom residency program, Arizona Wolf Trap.
By working with educators to integrate the arts into content areas like language arts, math, and science, Arizona Wolf Trap teaching artists help young learners stimulate their imaginations and develop academic, social, and physical skills that are the foundation for future learning and healthy lifestyles.
Arizona Wolf Trap teaching artists participate in ongoing professional development to work with and support early childhood educators, caregivers, and families as they incorporate arts-integrated experiences into classrooms, early childhood environments, and home and community settings.
What is Arizona Wolf Trap?
Backed by more than 30 years of experience and affiliated with the Wolf Trap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts in Vienna, VA, Arizona Wolf Trap leverages the power of the performing arts to engage successful learners and empower educators.
Using a research-informed approach to arts-integrated professional development, the program offers effective and customized professional development delivered by teaching artists to support educators, caregivers, children, and families. Offerings include residencies, partial and full-day workshops, and digital arts education resources. Residencies occur in classrooms across the Phoenix metro area and include multiple 30-minute sessions across several weeks.
Required Qualifications
- Availability to work as an independent contractor in the Phoenix metro area
- A minimum of three years of experience as a professional artist and/or teaching artist in a performing arts discipline (dance, drama, puppetry, drama, and storytelling)
- Thorough knowledge of the elements, forms, processes, and skills of specified art discipline(s)
- Ability to articulate the creative process in or through specified art discipline(s)
- Desire and ability to reflect on and assess methods of artistic practice
- Desire to engage in regular, ongoing professional learning supporting best practices in early childhood education, arts integration, and adult learning
- Demonstration of cultural competence and respect for individuals of all cultures, backgrounds, and belief systems
- Strong professional conduct as consistently demonstrated by preparedness, punctuality, reliability, and organizational skills
- Exceptional verbal and interpersonal communication skills
- Strong ability to work effectively and collaboratively with adult learners
- Access to reliable transportation and willingness to travel within the Phoenix metro area
Desired Qualifications
- Experience teaching and/or working with young children and their families
- Experience with educators and other professionals engaged in work with young children and their families
- Excellent written communication skills and ease with using email as a means of communication
- Understanding of Arizona Department of Education early childhood standards
- Comfort using or learning to use online video platforms (Zoom, Google Meet, Microsoft Teams, etc.)
- Weekday availability for contracting opportunities (Monday - Friday between 9:00 am 5:00 pm)
- Multiple language skills are a plus but not required.
Compensation & Training
Arizona Wolf Trap teaching artist candidates are required to complete a multi-day training before beginning their work. Teaching artist candidates must attend the full training and will receive compensation for their attendance.
Arizona Wolf Trap teaching artists must complete multiple classroom residencies within their first year. Specific details of individual work will be discussed with members upon completion of the new artist training.
Arizona Wolf Trap teaching artists are independent contractors. The number of contracts a Wolf Trap teaching artist is offered annually is not guaranteed.
Starting pay is $950 a residency.