Teaching Artist - Youth2Critics

TEACHING ARTIST - YOUTH2CRITICS
Position Type: Contract
Pay: $4500 Stipend
Location: In Person
FLSA status: exempt
Department: Education & Community

Transforming Philadelphia through the power of film.

As the producer of the Philadelphia Film Festival and creative force behind the Film Society Center, Film Society
Bourse, and Film Society East, the Philadelphia Film Society (PFS) raises awareness of film as an important art
form in Philadelphia and serves as a vital piece of the city’s arts and culture community.

The Teaching Artist will plan and execute the Youth2Critics film criticism residency, to be taught at one
Philadelphia school. This program spans approximately 11–13 weeks from the end of February to May 16th and
culminates in a final student project, a written film critique or a video essay on a selected film. The instructor
must be available on Mondays and Tuesdays between 8:30 AM–1:00 PM for instruction. An additional 1 to 1.5
hours per week is required for curriculum development and check-ins with the Education and Programming
Manager.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
● Within existing curricular outline, collaborate with Education and Programming Manager to develop
11–13 individual lessons that meet the needs of the host classroom’s students.
● Teach and mentor diverse student bodies in the process of researching, analyzing, and critiquing films
as well as fostering media literacy and critical thinking skills.
● Guide students through the process of creating a final project, which may be either a written film
critique or a video essay on a film selected by the students.
● Work with the classroom teacher to coordinate the residency and ensure all students actively
participate in discussions and project creation.
● Report back weekly to the Education and Programming Manager around the successes and pitfalls of
each class.
● Participate in 1 to 1.5 hours per week of curriculum development and check-ins with the Education and
Programming Manager to ensure the program aligns with PFS’s educational goals and adapts to student
needs.
● Help execute a final in-class showcase where students present completed film criticism pieces.

SKILLS
● Strong understanding of film analysis, including narrative structure, cinematography, editing, sound,
and thematic exploration.
● Familiarity with film criticism styles and methods, including historical, cultural, and technical
approaches.

● Facility with video editing software and tools for creating video essays (preferred).

● Trauma informed and disability competent teaching practices

● Knowledge of scholarly research protocols, including use of primary and secondary sources (preferred)

QUALIFICATIONS
● Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience required; degree in film, media studies
or a related field preferred.
● Experience teaching students in middle or high school
● Background in film criticism or media literacy instruction strongly preferred
● Personal qualities of integrity, credibility, and a commitment to and passion for PFS's mission
● Experience and familiarity with Philadelphia and the cultural community a plus

SCHEDULE & AVAILABILITY
● Must be available on Mondays and Tuesdays from 8:30AM to 1:00PM to deliver instruction.
● An additional 1 to 1.5 hours per week is required for curriculum development and check-ins with the
Education and Programming Manager.

COMPENSATION
● The Teaching Artist will receive a stipend of $4,500 for the full residency.