Teaching Artists - Signature Performing Arts Programs

Job Title: Teaching Artists - Signature Performing Arts Programs

Job Type: Part-Time

Reports to: Artistic Director, Signature Performing Arts Programs

Location: New York City

FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Hourly Range: $45-$65 (commensurate with experience)

Work Schedule/Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:30am-11:30am (daytime shift) AND/OR 2:30pm-5:30pm (afterschool shift)

Why You’ll Love Working at LEAP

At LEAP, we don’t just build great programs — we build a great place to work. You’ll thrive here if you’re excited to be part of a mission-driven, people-centered, and joy-filled team.

We are:

 🌱 Community-oriented, believing in a shared moral responsibility

 🎨 Creative, flexible, and open-minded
🚀 Collaborative and mission driven
✅ Accountable to ourselves, each other, and our goals

 🌟 Committed to feedback and clear, consistent communication
🌍 Champions of a compassionate and inclusive culture

 💖 Supporters of self-care and the well-being of others
🎉 And above all… FUN!

At LEAP, you’ll be empowered to grow, lead, and make a lasting impact — all while being part of a community that values who you are and what you bring.

About the Role

LEAP seeks passionate and skilled Teaching Artists to join our Signature Performing Arts Programs (SPAP) team. Teaching Artists lead specialized residencies in K–12 schools across New York City, facilitating standardized curriculum frameworks for programs such as LEAP 360 (musical theater + history), Project VIBE (movement + spoken word), Young Artivists (arts + activism), and LEAP OnStage (playwriting). They guide students through project-based, inquiry-driven creative processes that integrate storytelling, history, social justice, and arts-based learning. Teaching Artists collaborate with students, educators, school partners, and LEAP staff to culminate residencies in original performances that showcase student voice and celebrate diverse stories and perspectives.

What You’ll Do

• Facilitate a standardized curriculum framework for Signature Performing Arts Programs; (LEAP 360, Project VIBE, Young Artivists, and LEAP OnStage) - guiding students through a project-based, inquiry-driven creative process that integrates arts and academics and culminates in original performances.

• Direct and stage high-quality final performances that showcase student voice, artistry, and learning for school communities, families, and citywide festivals.

• Lead engaging, student-centered lessons that connect storytelling, history, social justice, and performance while fostering creativity, collaboration, and critical thinking.

• Create inclusive and supportive classroom environments where students explore, express, and grow as artists and scholars.

• Adapt the standardized curriculum framework to meet classroom needs while maintaining program fidelity and learning goals.

• Collaborate with SPAP leadership, fellow teaching artists, and school partners to align strategies, support student progress, and prepare for culminating events.

• Integrate reflection, ensemble-building, and artistic rigor into the creative process to deepen student understanding, expression, and academic connections.

• Complete required documentation such as lesson plans, attendance, assessments, and performance details accurately and on time.

• Participate in professional learning communities and trainings to strengthen instructional practice and align with LEAP’s creative youth development approach.

• Support performance logistics, including timely supply requests and production preparation.

What You’ll Bring

We’re seeking passionate and skilled teaching artists committed to arts education, creative youth development, and honoring diverse stories, identities, and perspectives. The ideal candidate is collaborative, reflective, and dedicated to guiding young people through meaningful creative processes that lead to artistically rigorous, high-quality final performances and deepen academic learning.

Core Competencies & Strengths:

Artistic Expertise:

• Demonstrated proficiency in one or more disciplines, including musical theater, theater, dance, vocal music, piano, guitar, playwriting, or spoken word

• Ability to direct and stage culminating performances that reflect student voice, creativity, and artistic excellence

• Commitment to artistic rigor and the creative process, ensuring students build strong artistic skills and confidence while exploring their creative voices

Pedagogical Skills:

• Strong teaching practice grounded in project-based learning, student inquiry, backwards planning, and arts-integrated instruction

• Experience implementing and adapting a standardized curriculum framework to meet diverse classroom needs while maintaining program fidelity and learning outcomes

• Ability to connect artistic practice to academic content, historical context, and social issues to deepen student learning and engagement

Classroom Management:

• Capacity to create a safe, inclusive, and culturally responsive learning environment where students feel supported, challenged, and empowered

• Skill in fostering ensemble collaboration, facilitating productive group dynamics, and cultivating student discipline, leadership, and accountability

Communication & Collaboration:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to build and sustain positive relationships with students, educators, school partners, and program staff

• Collaborative approach and ability to work effectively within a creative team to align instructional strategies, plan lessons, and support culminating events

Cultural Responsiveness:

• Deep commitment to honoring diverse stories, identities, and perspectives and weaving them meaningfully into arts learning experiences

• Experience working with Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners, ensuring that all students can participate fully and thrive

Professional Development & Adaptability:

• Dedication to continuous learning and growth as an educator and artist through professional learning communities and organizational training

• Flexibility and adaptability in responding to classroom dynamics, student needs, and program goals across multiple school settings

• Commitment to ongoing reflection and practice to continually strengthen approaches to arts education and creative youth development

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 2 years of experience teaching in K–12 school settings    

• Demonstrated excellence in one or more performing arts disciplines listed
  Proven ability to implement a standardized, project-based, arts-integrated curriculum

• Experience directing and staging culminating performances that reflect student learning, creativity, and artistic excellence

• Familiarity with culturally responsive and inclusive teaching practices, including experience working with Students with Disabilities and English Language Learners

• Strong communication, organizational, and classroom management skills

• Passion for using the arts to honor diverse stories, identities, and perspectives and to create learning spaces where all students thrive

• Punctual, responsible, resilient, and self-motivated, with a proactive approach to problem solving

• Flexible schedule and willingness to travel to sites across multiple boroughs

• Bachelor’s degree in the Arts or Education, or equivalent professional experience

PRE-EMPLOYMENT SCREENING

Pre-employment screening is required for this position, including but not limited to criminal history checks by regulating agencies as needed per placement. 

WE ARE AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Please note: In accordance with organizational policy, LEAP does not sponsor individuals on O-1 visas.