CALL FOR TEACHING ARTIST to Lead Workshops for Hospital Staff – June 27th Deadline
Teaching Artist to Lead Arts Initiatives for Hospital Staff
The Healing Arts Program at Montefiore Medical Center seeks a Teaching Artist with a fine arts background and strong illustration skills to lead a variety of arts initiatives for Montefiore associates one day a week as part of our Relaxation and Renewal Program.
Montefiore Medical Center’s Healing Arts Program uses the arts, creative arts therapies and other healing approaches to enhance the quality of life, health and well being of Montefiore’s patients and associates. Montefiore is a large healthcare facility and teaching hospital with multiple locations across the Bronx and lower Westchester.
The Teaching Artist is a one day a week position that will be responsible for the following:
– Working with the staff of different clinical units, health centers and departments to create a large collaborative piece or pieces— eg, murals on canvas—to be displayed in their locations, all on one unified theme
– Coordinate and lead a large holiday project that invites associates to create greeting cards or crafts to be distributed to patients throughout the hospital
– Design and teach 45-minute lunchtime relaxation-oriented arts workshops for associates, including workshops that allow associates to create items for patients
– Design and oversee creative activities at large events, including coloring pages and simple crafts
– Help plan and implement special events to showcase and celebrate the culmination of completed arts projects
– Maintain program monitoring, including a log of weekly activities and participant feedback surveys
– Involvement in marketing and promotion, including preparing brief written descriptions of projects/workshops/events and photographing projects in process and upon completion
– Arranging logistics including communicating with project partners, booking rooms and sending thank you notes to participants
– Other activities as develop over time
The successful candidate must have the following qualifications:
– Strong fine arts and illustration skills. Experience with mural painting a plus.
– Ability to think creatively and to plan and implement a variety of simple and accessible arts and crafts projects – Experience with and enjoyment of teaching
– Highly organized, responsible, reliable, self-motivated, and skilled at project execution
– Willing to travel to different locations in the Bronx and lower Westchester on a rotating weekly schedule
– Professional demeanor to work in a large hospital setting, with excellent communication skills to relate to a broad, diverse group of people
– Sensitivity, patience and a positive attitude toward working with people who may not see themselves as “artists,” as well as people who are caring for patients with serious illness
– Ability to be flexible and adaptable while managing the multiple steps and challenges that will be required to stage a successful project/event in a busy work environment
– Ability to work alone and as part of the larger Healing Arts team
To apply, please submit the following to HealingArts@montefiore.org:
– Cover letter
– Resume
– Two references
– Examples of your related work in fine arts and illustration
– Your idea(s) for a large collaborative piece or pieces that you would be able to lead staff in creating (see first bullet point above)
The deadline for application is Monday, June 27 at 5pm.
Joan Laurie Jessy Dimen
I am an Artist and Art therapist. I have a Masters in Art Therapy, a Fine Arts degree, and an Art Teaching degree. I taught elementary art traveling to 3 different schools. I lived in England where I worked as a set designer working with a team. I have been working with mentally ill adults for over 20 years. I ran a Ceramics studio working with clay, glazing and firing sculptures in a kiln. I created an Open Studio where clients who could not sit in groups could attend and make art when it was best for them. I used all different media including collage, mural work, watercolors, and acrylics. I ran groups including Watercolor and Meditation, Women’s Health Issues, and Anger Management. I organized art shows. I was a member of the selection committee for the yearly art exhibit called Art Expressions. This was an art show where people with mental illness could exhibit their art work. As an Art therapist I coordinated with Social workers, Psychiatrists, and Mental Health workers and family members.
I love my job. It is not a job to me. It is a calling.
I have the ability to connect with people who have a mental illness.
I am very interested in this position. i will be sending my resume and other required information to you.