Part Time Teaching Artist

Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble is seeking multidisciplinary dance, theatre, spoken word and visual artists to join our part-time contracted Teaching Artists staff for our in‑school and after‑school programs. This is an excellent opportunity for creative people who know that teaching the arts is more than just dance steps or memorizing lines, but truly make an impact in a child’s life.

• BIPOC and male‑identifying are strongly encouraged to apply.)
• Paid trainings, planning time and other opportunities available.

Teaching Artists are an integral part of all residencies’ curriculum planning and documentation and will meet with classroom teachers/program coordinators before and throughout each residency. We are looking for a diverse group of artists who would like to expand upon their main discipline, incorporating other art forms into their classes, and who can link literacy and social/emotional learning.
Location and population served Classes serve students in Chicago in grades Pre‑K-high school, as well as at social service organizations. The majority of our population is with at‑risk school age, youth and young adults.
About us Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble challenges, engages and inspires audiences both onstage and in the classroom, through innovative, multidisciplinary storytelling in the genre of Tanztheatre, which unites all art media and to achieve an all‑embracing, radical change in humankind. As an Ensemble, we collaboratively create thought‑provoking arts performances and educational outreach programs incorporating elements of theatre, music, movement, visual arts and literary text. We are dedicated to “performance with a purpose.”
Arts Educational Programs Mission Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble arts educational programs teach math, science and literacy through the visual and performing arts with a progressive education teaching model that emphasizes social/emotional learning.
Equity Statement CDE strives to create an equitable and empowering space for our artists, administrators, teachers, audiences, and for children of all backgrounds. We aim to build a platform for the voices of the diverse communities we serve. Teaching Philosophy CDE teaching artists carefully plan lessons through a fully developed progressive education curriculum and pedagogy that explore a particular theme through music, dance, art, and drama.
By emphasizing the creative process, students are provided with an outlet to express their thoughts and opinions through the arts thereby nurturing teamwork, discipline, constructive criticism, and the ability to see projects through to completion. This type of education enables CDE to provide students with skills that better prepare them for high school and college. This teaching methodology has evolved to encourage students’ social‑emotional growth in addition to their artistic competency. CDE instructors are trained to positively reinforce good behaviors, teamwork, and creative risk‑taking rather than creating an authoritarian environment. As a result, students develop holistically and better empower their educational and creative prowess.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES Attend all Teaching Artist professional development workshops
Develop, teach, and document arts‑integrated curriculum that focuses on the creative process, social‑emotional learning, and literacy.
Implement assessment tools embedded within programming
Skills & Qualifications Minimum 1 year of teaching experience in school or community center settings
Knowledge of state and national core arts standards
Experience with arts integration/multidisciplinary arts learning
Spanish speaking or SPED experience (special education population) skills are a plus
Must be able to improvise/be flexible
Demonstrate experience advocating for equality, diversity and inclusion and understand social/emotional learning
Must be able to collaborate/ work well with administrative staff, and classroom teachers
Ability to travel to various locations and schools in the Chicago area.
Must be patient and skilled in childhood and youth development
A fingerprinted background check required.

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