Lead Teaching Artist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at Mural Arts Philadelphia

About Mural Arts
Mural Arts Philadelphia is the nation’s largest public art program, dedicated to the belief that art ignites change. For over 35 years, Mural Arts has united artists and communities through a collaborative process, rooted in the traditions of mural-making, to create art that transforms public spaces and individual lives. Mural Arts Philadelphia exists to provide transformative experiences, progressive discourse, and economic stimulus to the City of Philadelphia.

Our mission: Through participatory public art, Mural Arts Philadelphia inspires change in people, place, and practice, creating opportunity for a more just and equitable Philadelphia.

Mural Arts seeks candidates who value and demonstrate the following core competencies: committed problem solving, deep thinking and fearless creation, inquisitive learning, thoughtful communication, mindful collaboration, personal accountability, and a commitment to actively prioritizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in the workplace. Mural Arts Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position and Program Summary
The City of Philadelphia Mural Arts Program’s Art Education Department serves over 2,000 youth annually through free out-of-school time art education programs in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia. Our programs provide a creative outlet for some of the city’s most vulnerable youth.

Mural Arts seeks to build safe spaces with and for the youth we serve, and our students' work demonstrates their capacity for thinking deeply and creating fearlessly. Our programs provide young people between the ages of 10 and 21 year round course of study in the visual arts. Our curriculum offers students the technical and creative foundation necessary to imagine, design, and create a wide range of individual and public works of art. Whether creating a mural or honing foundational art skills, lessons are designed with both short and long-term goals in mind, incorporating artistic and social history in addition to traditional and emerging art processes. At every turn we encourage our students to reflect on themselves and make a positive difference in the communities in which they work and play while utilizing restorative and trauma-informed care practices.

The Art Education Department operates four sessions throughout the year, beginning in September.
Fall Session: September 22 - December 4, 2026
Winter Session: January 4 - March 12, 2027
Spring Session: March 29 - June 4, 2027

Additionally, teaching artists must attend mandatory bi-weekly professional development meetings on Thursdays, 9:30am - 12:30 pm and are required to attend professional development trainings before each session for two weeks:

Fall PD: August 31st - September 11, 2026
Winter PD: December 7 - December 18, 2026
Spring PD: March 15 - March 19, 2027

In order to best serve the varied needs of our students, the Mural Arts Program’s Art Education Department seeks passionate and creative art educators who are committed to working in partnership with young people. We seek individuals who are excited about mentoring youth, eager to collaborate with fellow artists, and able to work in an energetic environment that demands flexibility, dedication, innovation, adaptability and enthusiasm. The ideal candidate is patient, has the ability to compromise and embraces challenges.

Position Responsibilities
Lead teaching artists work closely with Art Education staff to develop a project-based curriculum. They inspire and guide students in creating individual works of art, designing indoor murals, experimenting with media, and working alongside professional artists on large scale public art projects. In addition to maintaining a classroom curriculum and attendance records as required by Mural Arts and its funders, they mentor an assistant teaching artist. Classes take place four days a week after school for two hours between 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm. The position requires attendance at instructor labs, reliable transportation and professional development. Mural-making experience is preferred but not required.

Qualifications:
● 3-5 years teaching experience art to youth in middle and/or high school
● Knowledge of contemporary art trends and teaching practices
● Knowledge of art history and art-making techniques;
● Ability to manage a classroom of 15 students;
● Significant experience working with under-served youth and/or middle and/or high school students;
● Ability to engage youth with multiple learning styles and multiple intelligences;
● Ability to create lesson plans, organize projects, and conduct research;
● Ability to mentor, coach and build student motivation.
● Ability to collaborate with colleagues and site partners.
● Excellent classroom management skills;
● Exceptional written and oral communication skills necessary for managing paperwork and ongoing communications between program sites and Mural Arts staff;
● Willingness to work collaboratively and in partnership with parents, program managers, student advocates, and artists;
● Access to reliable transportation;
● Familiarity with Photoshop a plus;
● Ability to work in multiple settings with respect and humility, i.e.: Non-English dominant spaces, Queer and LGBTQ spaces, cultural and spiritual spaces and navigating gender assigned spaces
● Up-to-date PA Child Abuse Report, PA Criminal Background Check, and FBI Check upon interview.

Additional Position Details:
This is a part-time position. The hourly rate is $27 per hour for 25 hours per week.
Anticipated start date: December 7, 2026
Onboarding: December 7, 2026 - December 18, 2026
Program start date: Monday, January 4th, 2027

To Apply
Mural Arts Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, supporting, and investing in a diverse team of talented, creative, and passionate staff members who have a shared vision of our mission. Therefore, we encourage qualified candidates that represent and embody the diversity found within our community to apply. Please submit your resume with references, cover letter, and a sample lesson plan and specify you are applying for the position of “Lead Teaching Artist.” Resumes will be reviewed as they are submitted. Hiring will be subject to securing the full anticipated funding. Deadline to apply: November 13, 2026

For more information about Mural Arts Philadelphia, call 215-685-0750 or visit muralarts.org. Follow us on social media: @muralarts on Twitter and Instagram, MuralArtsPhiladelphia on Facebook, and phillymuralarts on YouTube.