Creative Communities Teaching Artist

About Writers Room and Second Story Collective

Writers Room is a university-community literary arts program engaged in creative placemaking and art for social justice. The program originated in 2014 at the Dornsife Center for Neighborhood Partnerships, Drexel University’s urban extension center located at the border of the Mantua and Powelton Village neighborhoods of West Philadelphia.

For over ten years, with the help of our members—a diverse, intergenerational group of community residents and Drexel students/alumni and faculty/staff—Writers Room has developed a rich calendar of public arts program offerings: monthly workshops and cultural events, visiting writers, term-long classes, and year-long projects. 

Together with neighborhood and university partners, Writers Room embarked on a community-led design process for a Writers House that would provide room for public programming and act as a hub for intergenerational co-living houses nearby, creating a network of homeowners and student tenants whose shared interest in writing and storytelling forms the foundation for meaningful cohabitation.  From this the Second Story Collective was formed.
 
Core to our work has been the co-creation of deep and authentic relationships across what might seem like significant differences. By first listening to, and then following, the collective needs and experiences of our students and neighbors, Writers Room has entered into the evolving field of creative placemaking—leveraging arts and creativity to serve our community’s interests for change.

Job Summary

Writers Room is offering a teaching artist position for artists and creative practitioners who are committed to developing inclusive, intergenerational, co-creative places that foster connection and community, which is foundational to our work in creative placemaking through Second Story Collective. The teaching artist serves as a Writers Room collaborator and is deeply engaged in our programming, research, and community building.

There is a need for artists who are engaged and/or trained in a trauma-informed practice, understand intersectionality, and can meet people where they are while holding space for dialogue.

Writers Room provides a platform to support, amplify, and celebrate the work of visiting artists. WR facilitates professional development through opportunities to co-create programs with our community, engage with a committed network of partners, and pursue external funding. 

This is a short-term, part-time position lasting the duration of one quarter of Drexel’s academic term, facilitating Writers Room’s Second Tuesday workshop series and an additional intergenerational community-based workshop during the position term. It is grant-funded through the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

Essential Functions

• Lead 3 creative workshops to engage and build community through cultural experiences in connection with creative reflection and expression.
• Build relationships as a part of the community through conversation, cultivation, and creative activities.
• Contribute to Writers Rooms creative or scholarly publications.
• Attend Writers Room programs and events, when available.
• Meet with supervisor to plan workshops.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years of experience facilitating learning experiences, public programs and/or workshops.
• A combination of education and experience sufficient to guide creativity and mentor artists.
• Demonstratable proficiency in chosen art discipline (Literary Arts, Music, Dance, Drama, and/or Visual Arts).
• Experience developing and facilitating programs and workshops.
• Possess interpersonal skills with the ability to interact professionally with diverse groups, foster trust, and create an engaging creative environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Highly collaborative and open to work with varied teams.
• Motivated with a sense of passion for the humanities and arts-centered social change.
• Integrity, confidence, enthusiasm, initiative, and the capacity to inspire cooperation.
• Ability to practice patience, flexibility, and creative problem-solving skills.
• Trauma informed training.
• Computer skills including Microsoft Suite and Outlook.

Location

University City - Philadelphia, PA

Additional Information
This is a Per Diem position classified as Non-Exempt. The offered pay is based on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience, department budget, and an internal equity review.

For information about benefits, please review Drexel’s Per Diem/Casual/Temporary Benefit Fact Sheet.

Special Instructions to the Applicant
Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

A review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.