COMPAS Teaching Artist

Become a COMPAS Teaching Artist! COMPAS is seeking teaching artists to join our roster. We are in particular need of t eaching artists interested and available to work in K-12 classroom settings, especially in the literary and digital arts. For over 50 years, we have created arts learning experiences with community partners through performances, workshops, residencies, professional development, and more. Our programs take place throughout Minnesotain schools during the day, as well as after school, evenings, and weekends. We partner with schools, libraries, older adult communities, parks and recreation centers, youth programs, and other community spaces. At COMPAS, we see ourselves as matchmakers bringing artists and partners together to create meaningful, engaging, and inspiring experiences. Artists selected for the roster join a community of teaching artists and gain access to support and resources, including administrative support, insurance, professional development opportunities, and more. Learn more: www.COMPAS.org. Current Areas of Need While we are always accepting applications from artists across disciplines , we 're specifically looking for : Literary Teaching Artists (especially those working in K-12 classroom settings) Teaching Artists interested and available to work in K-12 classroom settings Teaching Artists with a Global Cultural Connection Digital Teaching A rtists (digital art/illustration, graphic design, animation, etc.) Electronic M edia Teaching A rtists (photography, video, etc.) Required Qualifications We welcome a wide range of artistic practices and backgrounds. Artists with the following experience are especially encouraged to apply: Demonstrated commitment to an active artistic practice Previous teaching artist or community-based arts experience (ideally 2-5+ years) Ability to meet current needs or gaps within the COMPAS roster Experience modeling, breaking down, and adapting artistic processes for different learners Comfort with regular communication via email, text, and other digital tools We strongly encourage artists who identify as Native, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, LGBTQ+, and people with disabilities to apply. We also encourage artists living in Greater Minnesota, beyond the metro area, to apply. Application Process Round 1 (closes May 26, 2026) Please complete your application via Submittable by following this link: Required Materials Completed Submittable Form Cover L etter Resume Round 2 If you are selected for further review , we will invite you to submit additional materials, such as: W ork S amples (with description) A S ampl e L esson P lan Student W ork S amples Finalists will be invited to participate in a face-to-face interview . If selected, teaching artists will participate in a New Artist Orientation, COMPAS' Annual Teaching Artist Meeting, and additional training with staff as needed (August-September 202 6 ). For questions, please contact Amanda Hestwood at .... Virtual Info Session: Monday, May 18 , 4 - 5 PM CST Registration Link: Hiring Timeline Application Deadline: May 26 although we encourage applicants to submit as soon as possible Notifications: By Jun e 5 th applicants will receive notifications through Submittable regarding their application status FAQ: What is your hourly rate? COMPAS Teaching Artists are contracted at a base pay of $75/hour with possible additional pay toward prep, planning, cartage, etc. Do you do background checks? Hiring is contingent upon completing a Criminal Background Check. Can artists teach outside of COMPAS ? Artists joining the roster are considered independent contractors and are not under an exclusive contract with COMPAS. We request that teaching artists agree to not solicit on their own behalf at any program site or organization at which they work under the arrangement of COMPAS. How often are artists working for COMPAS? This depends on the availability of work, which is often made via external requests from community partners. Because of this, COMPAS cannot guarantee teaching opportunities nor consistent income from bookings. Are you taking applications for performers? Yes, always! We have a separate application from teaching artists to be considered for our roster. Please use the same application link provided above for teaching artists . Submit by May 26 th to be considered for this year's hiring process.