Location:Kalamazoo, MI, USAPay Rate:$15.00 - $22.50 per hour
Pay Type:per hourEmployment Type:Part Time



Job Title: Art Instructor

Department: artWorks

Job Classification: Non-Exempt

Reports To: artWorks Supervisor


Pay Range:

Minimum: $15.00

Midpoint: $18.75

Maximum: $22.50


Why work here:

At MRC Industries, we offer a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation, values diversity, and promotes professional growth. We are dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities through meaningful employment and community engagement. Join a team committed to fostering inclusivity and making a positive impact on people's lives.


Job Summary:

The Art Instructor will assist the artWorks Supervisor with providing a person-centered planning and a safe environment for the artists by introducing and facilitating the creation of art through a variety of media, following the artWorks process, and assisting adults with disabilities with developing vocational skills while producing sellable art.


An On Call Art Instructor is utilized for open hours Mon - Friday during programming or events and to backfill vacations, trainings and time out for staff to ensure we have appropriate coverage. This can lead to a part time or full time position if openings come available.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Work hands-on with artists to motivate and stimulate creativity, innovation, and independent problem solving to help artists reach their highest potential in the art career path.
  • Support progress through positive reinforcement; modeling positive employment behaviors and giving constructive feedback. Enable the artists to be as independent and self-sufficient as possible.
  • Possess knowledge of current trends in art in the community.
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date progress notes.
  • Instruct artists in proper care and use of tools and supplies.
  • Develop and implement lesson plans for small and large group instruction.
  • Assist in the hanging and presentation of artist's completed artwork.
  • Participate in art shows and events to promote the artists' work.
  • Ensure compliance with health and safety protocols.
  • Attend to the personal care needs of individuals served.
  • Ensure that recipient rights and confidentiality are protected in accordance with agency policy and the Mental Health Code.
  • Actively participate and be knowledgeable about 1) culturally competent, recovery-based practices, 2) person-centered planning as a shared decision-making process with the individual who defines his or her own life goals and is assisted in developing a unique path toward those goals and 3) a trauma informed culture to aid clients in their recovery process.
  • Complete incident reports as needed.
  • Complete progress notes on a daily basis in compliance with Medicaid & CARF standards.
  • Assist artWork's Supervisor with the organization and storage of supplies.
  • Assist in problem solving with the artWork's Supervisor when incidents occur, and clinical discussion and strategies need to be implemented.
  • Assist with volunteer orientation. Provide information and assistance to volunteers so that they can work effectively with the artists.
  • Assist with customers in the store front, greeting customers, making sales, and being responsible for monies collected.
  • Participate in artist's person-centered planning meetings.
  • Completes other miscellaneous duties as assigned.

Required Skills/Abilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

  • Must have the ability to balance the mission of independence with the objective of producing artwork with market value.
  • Knowledge of Person-Centered Planning preferred.
  • Lived experiences with behavioral health are desired.
  • Excellent oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills to write clinical service plans/goals and successfully communicate and problem-solve with service teams and participants.
  • Must be effective in providing motivation and innovation when working with the artists.
  • Must have problem solving skills and judgement sufficient to recognize and initiate appropriate response to emergency and non-emergency situations independently.
  • Must be able to work unsupervised.
  • Schedule must be flexible to accommodate some evening and weekend activities.
  • Upon hire completion of certified trainings (i.e. CPR, MANDT)
  • Criminal records, driving and recipient rights screening required.
  • Valid Michigan driver's license, good driving record and the availability of licensed, insured vehicle for use on the job required.

Education and Experience:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent required.
  • Minimum one year education and/or experience in the visual arts with the ability to provide artistic guidance and direction in a wide variety of art media.
  • Education and/or experience working with individuals with disabilities or related population strongly preferred.

Physical Requirements:

  • May occasionally require lifting up to 35 pounds.
  • Ability to physically intervene when needed.
  • Must have visual discrimination to differentiate between colors.

Work Conditions:

  • Retail store and art studio environment
  • May be exposed to bloodborne pathogens, infectious diseases, and parasites.
MRC Industries
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