Art & Nature Educator
Leighton Art Centre has a rich history as a place for creative expression and artistic endeavor. Situated on 80 rural acres of magnificent foothills landscape just 15 km southwest of Calgary, the centre features the historic home of artists Barbara and A.C. Leighton. Leighton Art Centre exists to keep the legacy of the Leightons alive by offering a space to explore, appreciate, and create.
Value: Respecting A.C. and Barbara Leighton’s legacy, we value creativity, relationships, and the aesthetic experience.
Vision: Enriching lives and connections to each other, Leighton Art Centre connects you to art, history, and landscape.
Mission: As a vibrant and open space for creativity, Leighton Art Centre provides you with the inspiration to explore, appreciate and create.
The Position: Art & Nature Educator
- This is a seasonal, part-time position.
- The position reports to the public programs manager.
- Shifts are six hours in length and are booked on an as-needed basis.
- Hourly wage: $16.80.
Key Responsibilities
We’re looking for an energetic, adaptable, and organized person to join our roster of art and nature educators at the Leighton Art Centre. You will be responsible for introducing young artists to a day of artistic discovery. Each work day, Educators will set up their historic art studio for the medium of the day, greet students, and immediately engage them in a sketching warm-up. Students will then follow the art and nature educator on a nature walk to discover the natural landscape surrounding them. The educator will also act as a tour guide in the historic Leighton Home, Gallery, and Museum. The educator will guide students through art appreciation activities using both the permanent collection and changing exhibitions. The educators will also teach a variety of media to classes as chosen by the visiting school groups.
Educators also participate in the Art To Go Program, which involves our instructor teaching short programs at schools in and around the Calgary and Foothills areas, and educators may also lead art and nature birthday parties at the centre on weekends.
Our school programs run in accordance to the different boards of education calendars in the area, from September to June.
Position Overview
Studio Instruction & Field Trip Facilitation – 80%
- Conduct art lessons in the classroom and in nature that promote visual literacy, thoughtful observation, and critical thinking.
- Present programs that follow the lesson guide developed by the Leighton Centre education team.
- Liaise with school teachers and parent volunteers in a professional manner.
- Encourage understanding of our uniqueness of place and environmental education.
- Encourage Students to explore, appreciate and create on our 80-acre property.
- Lead students in a safe, focused nature walk.
- Take responsibility for the cleanliness of art studios and for the preparation and restocking of materials used.
Team Collaboration – 20%
- Work with the Education Team to plan, present, and organize curriculum-based art program and activities.
- Participate in regular staff meetings and other Leighton Art Centre fundraising and seasonal events.
Qualifications & Competencies
- Experience working with children and youth in educational or art settings.
- A passion for art and creativity with education or background in the arts.
- Willingness to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
- Ability to work cooperatively with the Education Centre staff.
- Must possess good communication skills and be ready to take initiative and resolve problems.
- Due to our location, candidate must possess reliable transportation.
- Valid First Aid certification is an asset.
- Police Information Check will be required.
- Flexible availability, including availability on weekends, is an asset.
This is a seasonal, part-time position, September 2021 to June 2022, with the opportunity to renew the contract for September 2022 to June 2023.
Application deadline is October 8, 2021.
Interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and resume to education@leightoncentre.
We thank all applicants for their interest; only candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.
