To view current openings, scroll to the bottom of the page.
In 2020 The Art Center Highland Park re-wrote our mission statement to allow for a broader scope of classes:
The Art Center, a not-for-profit organization, is the North Shore’s home for artistic discovery and creative exploration. Through innovative programs, exhibitions, and classes designed for all levels and ages, The Art Center provides a welcoming space for our diverse communities to experience and participate in the arts.
Where the focus had previously been the ‘visual arts’, our expanded statement allows us to create courses in other mediums: performance, culinary, art history, etc. We are currently accepting resumes from experienced professionals who want to share their knowledge with our community.
Successful candidates for the faculty at the art center will be able to demonstrate a history of leading arts-related programming, possess a positive attitude, be committed to our students and community, and be willing to learn our registration and class management tools. Those applying to teach children’s classes will also need to agree to state and federal criminal background checks.
Our classes run in four sessions: Spring, Summer, Winter, Fall, and include Summer Camps, and special programming during winter and spring breaks. Sessions run in eight, nine, or ten-week periods, and some ten-week classes are held in two five-week terms. Average class sizes range from 3-10 students and are conducted in-person at our Highland Park facility, with some classes held online, virtually, or pre-recorded. We traditionally offer from 80-100 classes per session and (pre-COVID) have over 2,400 registrations per year. Our scholarship program allows those in need to attend classes. We offer classes for all ages and skill levels.
The Art Center is committed to being a welcoming space to all, regardless of age, race, sexual orientation, gender identification, religious affiliation, national origin, marital status, disability, or veteran status. We encourage and seek out diversity and inclusion and every application will be fairly assessed.
Faculty members are contractors and paid monthly, with the opportunity for occasional special projects for extra income. Current/active faculty members are offered family membership to TAC and are eligible for one free class per term.
For General inquiries: Send cover letter or sample curriculum, and a resume or curriculum vitae to Mairin Hartt, Director of Education, MHartt@theartcenterhp.org
Current Openings
Ceramics Instructor, Tuesdays
The Art Center Highland Park is looking for a Ceramic Instructor to teach classes on Tuesday Afternoons and Evenings, starting in the Fall
Information about TAC
The Art Center, a not-for-profit organization, is the North Shore’s home for artistic discovery and creative exploration. Through innovative programs, exhibitions, and classes designed for all levels and ages, The Art Center provides a welcoming space for our diverse communities to experience and participate in the arts.
Although predominately focused on the visual arts, TAC has expanded its mission to include arts in all forms such as writing, acting, performance, and the like.
The Art Center is located in Highland Park, a 45 -60 minute drive north of Chicago, and is a 10-minute walk from the Highland Park, UPN Metra Train stop.
TAC Ceramics
TAC offers ceramics classes for both youth and adults in hand-building and wheel-throwing, Monday through Saturday. Adult classes run for 3 hours, 9 am -12pm or 9:30-12:30pm, 12:30-3:30pm or 1-4pm and 6-9pm or 6:30-9:30pm. Youth classes run 4-5:30pm or 4-6pm during the school year. Ceramic student ages run from 7 to 90.
The Ceramics department has two electric and one gas kiln, which fires up to cone 10. The studio uses only three types of clay – white stoneware, brown stoneware, and porcelain.
The ideal candidate will:
- Have a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Ceramics – or equivalent experience working in Ceramic medium
- Teach 3 classes (this would be 2 adult classes and 1 youth class) on Tuesdays during allotted class hours.
- Have at least 1-year experience teaching adults of various ages and backgrounds
- Be comfortable teaching different skill levels in one class
- Be able to teach hand-building and wheel-throwing
- Experience working with youth ages 7-14 a plus
- Experience teaching in a recreational/non-academic environment a plus
- Experience with ceramic studio maintenance a plus
Opportunities for additional funds by performing ceramic studio maintenance at $20 per hour.
This is an independent contractor position. TAC does not compensate for travel time, prep or clean-up time, or expenses. Applicants will be reviewed until the position is filled.
To Apply
If interested, please send your resume or CV along with a cover letter or sample lesson plan to Mairin Hartt, Director of Education, at mhartt@theartcenterhp.org.
Please direct any questions to the email address provided. No calls, please.