Visual Arts & Culture Specialist Afterschool Program

Visual Arts & Culture Specialist Afterschool Program

We hire for this position in Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Manhattan. Openings vary across 30+ sites throughout the school year. Our complete list is at nyjtl.org/aces-sites.

About New York Junior Tennis & Learning

For over fifty years, New York Junior Tennis & Learning (NYJTL) has honored its founder Arthur Ashes legacy by celebrating the diversity of children, encouraging them to reach their highest potential through free tennis and academic programs. NYJTL is the largest provider of youth tennis and education programs in the nation, providing services in 100 unique sites across all five boroughs while reaching nearly 90,000 kids. In addition, NYJTL designed, funded (with NYC), built and operates the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the South Bronx. All NYJTL community tennis and after school programs are offered at no cost to its participants.

The mission of NYJTL is to develop the character of young people through tennis and education for a lifetime of success on and off the court. It believes life skills gained through tennis, academics, healthy living, and character development are a catalyst for long-term achievement.

Position Summary

The Visual Arts & Culture Specialist will design and facilitate creative, culturally enriching visual arts programming for middle school students in grades 68. The specialist will expose students to various artistic mediums, techniques, cultural traditions, and influential artists while encouraging creativity, self-expression, and artistic exploration. Students will have opportunities to develop their artistic skills through drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography, and other creative projects while exploring how art reflects identity, history, and diverse cultures. Students will be encouraged to create original artwork and participate in exhibitions, showcases, and collaborative art installations.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and facilitate engaging visual arts lessons, workshops, and creative projects.
• Introduce students to various artistic mediums, including drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media.
• Expose students to influential artists, artistic movements, cultural traditions, and diverse forms of creative expression.
• Teach foundational art techniques, composition, color theory, and creative design.
• Encourage students to explore personal identity, culture, and community through artistic expression.
• Guide students in developing original artwork, individual portfolios, and collaborative projects.
• Prepare students for art exhibitions, galleries, showcases, and program events.
• Promote creativity, confidence, cultural awareness, and appreciation for diverse perspectives.
• Maintain a safe, organized, and inclusive learning environment.
• Maintain accurate attendance and program documentation as required.

Schedule: Monday through Friday Shifts scheduled between 2:00 PM 6:00 PM (Start and end times may vary based on site assignment.)

Up to 20 hours per week.

Availability during these hours is required.

Selected candidates are expected to work the full school year through June 2027.

Additional Responsibilities

• Complete 15 hours of professional development each calendar year.
• Attend all meetings, training workshops and special events as required, inclusive of those outside of program hours.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Curriculum & Activity Planning

• Design and implement sequential, project-based units and lesson plans in assigned specialty area.
• Align activities with program goals, youth interests, and DYCD/COMPASS-SONYC frameworks.
• Integrate social-emotional learning, teamwork, and youth leadership opportunities into activities.
• Prepare materials and supplies in advance; maintain an organized, safe activity space.

Facilitation & Youth Engagement

• Lead engaging, hands-on sessions that are inclusive and differentiated for various skill and grade levels.
• Establish clear expectations, routines, and positive behavior supports.
• Build strong relationships with youth; encourage participation, creativity, and persistence.
• Adapt activities as needed based on student responses, behavior, and feedback.

Collaboration & Communication

• Collaborate with Group Leaders, Tutors, and site leadership to coordinate schedules and support youth needs.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and planning sessions.
• Share progress, challenges, and recommendations for program improvement with supervisors.

Safety, Documentation, & Compliance

• Ensure youth safety and supervision at all times, following agency and DYCD policies.
• Assist with attendance, sign-in/out, and other basic documentation as required.
• Care for and inventory program equipment and supplies related to the specialty area.

Qualifications

• Available during after-school hours, 2:00pm - 6:00pm, (20 hours per week not inclusive of meetings); Monday-Friday during the school year and some school holidays.
• 2+years' experience working with children or youth in group settings (after-school, camp, school, recreational program).
• Experience working with middle school or adolescent youth preferred.
• Demonstrated experience or knowledge in visual arts, fine arts, design, photography, or a related field.
• Knowledge of multiple artistic mediums and creative techniques preferred.
• Ability to develop age-appropriate art lessons and projects.
• Strong communication, classroom management, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to encourage creativity and engage students of varying skill levels.
• Comfortable organizing student artwork and leading exhibitions or showcases.
• Must be dependable, professional, patient, and enthusiastic.
• High school diploma/GED required; college degree, formal art training, certification, or equivalent experience preferred.
• Ability to pass required background checks and comply with program policies and safety requirements.

• Some college coursework or degree in Education, Arts, Recreation, Youth Development, or related field.
• Experience in a DYCD-funded program or NYC after-school setting.
• Bilingual language skills.

Job Type

• Part Time
• Monday - Friday, 2:00pm - 6:00pm

Salary

• $21.50 - 24.50 per hour

Please click "Apply" below, or visit our careers page at nyjtl.org to complete an application. Thank you!

NYJTL values the diversity of the people we hire and inspire. Diversity at our organization means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, respected, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each persons talents and strengths without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation/affectional preference, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We center equity in all our work and in our hiring practices.

New York Junior Tennis & Learning