Neon and Light Instructor / TA at The Crucible – Oakland, California

Role: Neon and Light Instructor / TA

Status: Non-Exempt, hourly, part-time

Reports to: Neon and Light Department Heads, Director of Programs

Our mission: The Crucible inspires creative exploration and expression through welcoming, hands-on arts education and experiences for people of diverse ages and backgrounds. As an innovative hub built around the industrial arts, The Crucible is a catalyst for individual growth and vibrant community connections. In addition to supporting working and emerging artists and art students, The Crucible has become increasingly focused in recent years on supporting career pathways into the arts and the industrial trades, and on supporting access to our programs for BIPOC youth and families, especially those from West Oakland.

The Opportunity: The Neon and Light department at The Crucible is looking for instructors to teach neon classes at our 56,000-square-foot non-profit and industrial arts school in West Oakland. Instructors must know the fundamentals of neon illuminated sculpture and glass bending techniques. We are looking for at least 1-2 years of teaching experience in an informal or formal education setting.

The ideal candidate is interested in making teaching an ongoing part of their neon bending practice. We do offer instructors access to the neon studio and tools, but our studio is too small to support a production bender who seeks to run their business out of our space. We have worked hard to increase diversity among our teacher and student population, welcoming young creatives seeking to explore their culture through creativity.

Neon artists who can support this approach are welcome, as are those who appreciate both the creative and the healing experience of working with glass. If you are passionate about sharing your skills with a wide range of students and want to be in a collaborative environment with other teaching artists, this is a great place for you!

Classes are held at night, on the weekends, and during the day during the week. Instructors have the opportunity to both learn the curriculum for a specific class and to schedule their participation in a way that works for them. Many instructors come to The Crucible for studio access before and after their classes. We ask experienced neon artists to initially TA up to 3 classes so they can learn our curriculum, before moving them into a lead and/or co-teaching position.

Pay: We pay $19.95 an hour for a Teaching Assistant role, and $25.00-$27.50 per hour for an instructor, based on experience and seniority, in the organization.

Non-cash benefits: Faculty members who have worked within the previous 6 months receive access to the neon department studio when classes are not in session and maintenance is not scheduled. Faculty also have access to free tuition (though materials and studio fees must be paid.) Some prerequisites apply.

Curriculum:

• The curriculum includes teaching courses in areas that focus on foundational skills:
  Neon 1 - Typically a 6 week course where students learn the fundamentals of neon, practice the basic bends, and complete 1-2 finished illuminated projects.
  • Neon Lab - 6 weeks, an open ended course aimed at granting studio access to students hoping to continue working on bigger projects. Students may purchase materials and have projects bombarded (filled with inert gas) by the lab monitor. Students are encouraged to register for a neon lab in between Neon 1 and Neon 2.
  • Neon 2 - 6 week course where students expand on the fundamentals they learned in Neon 1. Students gain access to colored glass and phosphor coated tubing, working with mercury and other gases, and more advanced glass bending techniques such as T-welds, combining different diameters of glass, and compound bends.

? There are opportunities for faculty to work with the Department Heads on curriculum development. We encourage our instructors to bring new and exciting ideas to our department and work to support our artists in realizing their new course or workshop ideas.

Faculty Meetings, Open Houses, & Events

? Attend two open houses or events a year to represent your area

? Attend at least three paid faculty meetings a year

? Participate in demonstrations and shows when able

This is an hourly, part-time position based in Oakland, California. The Crucible is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all persons, especially those who bring the benefits of diversity to the organization. Women, people of color, people who identify as LGBTQIA, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

To Apply: Please apply by clicking the link, and include with your cover letter and resume a link to portfolio, or PDF file of 5-10 images of your completed work.

Qualifications

• One year of teaching experience in an informal or formal education setting.
• 3 years experience working in hot glass or related fields, minimum of 2 years experience working with Neon.
• Able to speak confidently and knowledgeably about topics related to neon art / sculpture including but not limited to: glass bending techniques, the history of neon as a practice, the science of noble gases and gas illuminated tubes, high voltage wiring and safety, and bombarding practices.
• Has demonstrated proficiency with glass bending techniques. Applicants must be capable of executing the basic bends of neon with mastery. Has experience with pattern drafting and marking, making compound bends and curves, and working with a wide variety of tube diameters and colors / coatings.
• Capable of upholding safety in a high-risk studio environment by taking a safety-first approach, and ensures that any student injuries are attended to swiftly and adequately.
• Ability to problem solve with students who may be frustrated by the initial difficulty of the medium. Capable of breaking down the process of glass bending into simple steps to meet students where they are, and supporting students with positivity and reassurance at each step.

Preferred qualifications (Instructor):

? Two years of teaching experience, with a track record of success, informal arts education is a plus.

? Five years of experience producing work in your core teaching areas

? Ability to meet students where they are and help them to grow as creators

? Respect for everyone’s differences, approach, and creativity

? A strong commitment to teaching, collaboration, and curriculum design and development

Responsibilities (Instructor):

• Teach in an artistically diverse environment
• Participate in departmental and faculty meetings
• Develop and maintain area procedures and standards
• Support The Crucible’s policies and strict adherence to The Crucible studio safety rules
• Organize materials and supplies before and after classes and workshops
• Collaborate with the Department Head and studio to order materials as needed