WORK WITH US

Department: Programs
Reports to: Chief Education Officer
Inner-City Arts is an oasis of learning, creativity, and achievement in the heart of Skid Row and is a vital partner in creating a safer, healthier Los Angeles. Since its inception in 1989, Inner-City Arts has provided hands-on arts instruction to more than 210,000 public school students and 10,000 educators in the Los Angeles area. Every year, more than 5,000 elementary and middle school students from the most underserved urban neighborhoods receive high-quality arts experiences during the school day on the Inner-City Arts campus. After school, on weekends, and during the summer, more than 1,000 middle and high school students engage in self-select workshops at Inner-City Arts. In all this time, Inner-City Arts has partnered with LAUSD and countless community collaborators to provide transformational learning that meets the needs of area students.

The Creativity Lab was developed by Bob Bates, Inner-City Arts’ co-founder and artistic director, and its central purpose is to encourage students to pursue tasks and challenges using creative thinking and problem solving.

In the Creativity Lab, we use the scientific method expressed in the following sequence: “Test – Evaluate – Adjust the design.” This powerful process of learning by doing looks at “mistakes” not as failures but as opportunities for innovation. The Creativity Lab studio classes are based in problem solving and collaboration. We use simple materials to create complex structures, and students learn how to use basic hand tools and operate power tools such as drill presses and scroll saws. Students achieve an understanding that mistakes, improvisation, and exploration are part of the creative process.

The Creativity Lab Studio Assistant is a non-exempt employee responsible for activities associated with the programming, implementation and assistance of the Creativity Lab studio classes. The Creativity Lab Studio Assistant works directly with the teaching artists for all studio content delivery and reports to the chief education officer on logistics, scheduling, and other employment needs.

Specific job requirements:

• Provide overall support for the teaching artist and students during class as directed by teaching artist
• Prepare, set up, and clean up all materials needed for each lesson
• Organize, clean, and maintain studio space including tools and materials at all times
• Operate basic hand and power tools for preparation of class materials and during class as directed
• Follow safety requirements and provide oversight of safety of power tool usage during studio class time
• Organize closets, inventory of supplies, and equipment
• Assist with studio office duties including internet research, processing of purchase orders, and establishing and maintaining/updating files, records and other documents.
• Provide research and development support of program projects
• Ideally, demonstrate a knowledge of 3D printing and 3D rendering software
• Assist with the installation of student exhibitions (set-up, creating labels, hanging work, patching, painting pedestals, etc. as directed by teaching artist)
• Participate in organizational activities including community events, fundraisers
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Outstanding communicator
• Ability to take direction and work independently
• Excellent organizational skills
• A deep commitment to the welfare of children and the critical role that the arts play in their development
• Flexibility, organization, and strong teamwork skills
• A practical understanding of child development
• Some experience in creative making, inventing, and crafting is expected
• Ability to move in a fast-paced environment during class and transitions in a work setting that values adaptability, diversity, integrity, and flexibility
• Ease working effectively with diverse audiences and patience with various skill levels
• Skills to maintain and build excellent working relationships with staff, teachers and the community served
• Experience working with first– through eighth-grade youth is desired
• Ability to pay careful attention to detail and capable of seeing the whole picture and anticipate where help is needed
• Ability to use tools and equipment in the studio; awareness of safety requirements; eco-minded
• Able to lift up to 50 lbs. for movement of tables, equipment, materials; able to climb ladders (frequently required to stand and walk)
• Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with the Teaching Artists, students, and all levels of employees and management
• Bilingual in Spanish is a plus

Hours
Part time, up to 29-hours per week; determined by availability and schedule of teaching terms; some evening and weekend work as well

Location
720 Kohler Street, Los Angeles, CA 90021

Compensation
$24 per hour

To apply
Please send a letter of interest an resume to the hiring committee via email to artsedjobs@inner-cityarts.org with the subject “Creativity Lab Studio Assistant.”

Inner-City Arts engages employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, legally protected medical condition or information, family care status, military caregiver status, veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, or any other basis protected by local, state, or federal laws. All who believe they meet the stated qualifications are invited to apply. Inner-City Arts is an equal opportunity employer.