POSITION DESCRIPTION

Position Description Background

Eligibility to Serve

  • be 17 years or older (no upper age limit); and

  • be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or Lawful Permanent Resident Alien

Statement of Nondiscrimination

Imagine Art complies with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title 8 of the Texas Human Resources Code, Article 5221K of the Commission on Human Rights Act of 1983 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 in all its business practices. We are committed to ensuring that every individual is valued and served.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO)

Imagine Art is an equal opportunity employer that maintains a policy of nondiscrimination with respect to all employees and applicants for employment. All employment decisions will be made without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, religion, sexual orientation, disability, gender identity or expression, political affiliation, marital or parental status, genetic information and military service, or any other status protected by applicable law. Employment decisions are based solely on employees’ qualifications, merit, and performance, subject to the business requirements of the organization. Requests for accommodations will be reviewed for qualified individuals. Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with applicable law.

What is AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps is America’s National Service initiative. Through AmeriCorps, individuals of all ages and backgrounds address the nation's education, public safety, environment, and/or human needs through service. The main focus areas of AmeriCorps include: getting things done, strengthening communities, encouraging responsibility, and expanding opportunity. Imagine Art AmeriCorps Members will serve as Artists-in-Residence and contribute to this effort by providing instruction and mentorship to artists with disabilities. Members will assist Imagine Arts artists in becoming job ready as professional artists or arts workers. Members will receive training in a variety of areas to support and enhance the member's service to Imagine Arts Artists. This training will include, but is not limited to: DEI, CPR and First Aid, tutoring/mentoring skills, and self-development.


Position: Imagine Art AmeriCorps Member Artist-In-Residence

Program: Imagine Art AmeriCorps Program

Supervisor: Ricardo (Rick) Hernandez, Program Director

Site Locations: Imagine Art, Live + Make, 1127 Tillery Street, Austin, Texas 78702


About Imagine Art:

Imagine Art is a Christian ministry, a 501c3 nonprofit, established in 1996. We operate a creative space where 65+ artists are engaged in our community. We offer specialized supports tailored to empower artists with disabilities to create art. Non-disabled players engage as working artists in our studios to create a diverse, inclusive space where all artists thrive.

Position Summary: 

Imagine Art is recruiting to fill Member slots to serve as Half-Time and Full-Time AmeriCorps Members in the Imagine Arts AmeriCorps Program. The Members will be identified as Artist-in-Residence and will provide direct educational and support services to artists with disabilities. AmeriCorps Members will provide art instruction and mentorship to support artists with disabilities’ development toward professional engagement in the arts. It is our belief that this intervention will result in equalizing the playing field in order that artists with disabilities have the same opportunity for professional success and upward mobility as artist peers without disabilities who access the Imagine Art studios. 

Essential Functions of the Position:

  • Provide skill building activities in the production of works of art in two- and three-dimensional arts and crafts disciplines

  • Consult in the development of professional arts-related products

  • 1:1 training and support that promotes peer to peer training by Imagine Art artists

  • Facilitation of media specific art producing spaces

  • Secure donations of supplies or equipment to provide to artists

  • Teach small group classes in various artistic disciplines to artists with disabilities

  • Facilitate individual and group critiques

  • Facilitate and support workshops, lectures, professional demonstrations and table topic conversations for Imagine Arts and the general public

  • Provide guidance in the development of individual artistic plans to produce a cohesive body of work

  • Facilitation of portfolio development for Imagine Art artists

  • Assistance in the preparation of work for public presentation

  • Documentation of work and creation of didactic materials

  • Assistance in the development and maintenance of web based and social media presentation

  • Provide support in the design and implementation of Imagine Arts exhibitions and events

  • Write grants to support program activities allowable program activities such as procurement of art materials and support for other Artists Opportunities (i.e. lecturer fees, field trips and equipment)

  • Secure sponsorships and exhibition opportunities for Imagine Art artists outside of Imagine Arts

  • Develop online discipline specific classes via video, and PowerPoint

  • Host online classes via ZOOM or other communication platforms

  • Serve as a Learning Coach for client artists facilitating community-based residencies 

Marginal Functions of the Position:

  • Conduct outreach and recruitment of artists without disabilities to volunteer, mentor or engage as artists-in-residence

  • Facilitate field trips and transportation to local museums, art-based events, related public meetings, festivals or artist gatherings

  • Participate in AmeriCorps CTX Member support activities

Other Duties as Assigned

Member may be asked to perform other duties such as support in studio maintenance, equipment maintenance, representing the Imagine Art AmeriCorps program at public events or to the news media.  Respond to CNCS Member activation when necessary. At no time will Members be required to perform activities that are prohibited by CNCS.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

We are looking for Artists-In-Residence with a strong background in design, drawing, painting, ceramics, textiles, 3D/mixed media, curatorial and exhibition practices and skilled in the development of portfolios, social media, webpages.  Knowledge in the use of electronic communication platforms is a plus. It is of utmost important that the Artist-in-Residence have the ability to transmit their knowledge to artists with disabilities.  

Academic Training and Experience

Minimum: High School Diploma or GED. Preferred: Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA, Any of the previous degrees with a focus on Art Therapy); Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) or Social Work Education (CSWE); Bachelor’s in Public Health (BPH); Persons with a proven track record of a professional practicing artist or craftsman (non-degree); Arts Educator in a non-profit, public or private school setting; Extensive experience in photography, web development, social media, marketing and branding.

Service Conditions

The AmeriCorps Artists-in-Residence will be assigned to designated discipline-based studio spaces.  With the exception of field trips, all activities will be conducted at the Imagine Art designated facilities.

Equipment Used

The AmeriCorps Artists-in-Residence will have access to standard discipline-based equipment and tools for painting, drawing, computer graphics, ceramics, textiles and the 3D/multi-media.  Imagine Art provides supplies to the artist clients.  Artists-in-residence will assist in the maintenance and inventory of the equipment and supplies for the area to which they are assigned.

Term of Service: 11 Months, beginning at the start of September and concludes at the end of July.

Time Requirements

Full-Time AmeriCorps Artists-in-Residence are required to provide 1700 hours of service over an 11-month period. Half-Time Members are required to serve 900 hours over the same period. The programs hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.  Periodic special events are held evening and on weekends.  Program related service during these events will be counted toward a Member’s service hours in accordance with Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) regulations.

Orientation and Training

AmeriCorps Artists-in-Residence will receive extensive, on-going training in the Imagine Art curriculum structure, training techniques and studio protocols.  An orientation of Imagine Art Policies and Procedures will also be provided.  Given the unique nature of Imagine Art artists, training will be provided in client safety and crisis mediation.

Benefits for Full-Time Members

Full-Time Members will serve 1700 hours of service and earn a Living Allowance Stipend in the amount of $19,000 in an 11-month period. Upon successful completion of service, Full-Time Members are eligible for an education award of $7,395 that can be utilized at Title IV colleges and universities or to repay qualifying student loans.  You can learn more from the Education Award Guidebook.

Benefits for Half-Time Members

Half-Time Members will serve 900 hours of service and earn a Living Allowance Stipend in the amount of $9.500 in an 11-month period.  Upon successful completion of service, Half-Time Members are eligible for an education award of $3,697.50 that can be utilized at Title IV colleges and universities or to repay qualifying student loans.  You can learn more from the Education Award Guidebook.

Evaluation and Reporting

Mid-year and final performance reviews; daily class check-in; weekly reports to supervisor; quarterly debrief summits with Members and program leadership. 

Other Items

Imagine Art will provide Members with AmeriCorps T-shirts, and lanyards. Members must wear the AmeriCorps logo at all time while in service.

Disaster Preparedness, Response and Recovery

In the event of a local state or federal disaster declaration, AmeriCorps members may be asked on a volunteer basis or be required by the OneSta Foundation to activate to assist in disaster response and recovery activities within their communities. This may involve virtual service opportunities outside of a member’s standard service hours or in place of their standard service duties. In the event of a large-scale high needs local, state or federal disaster, AmeriCorps members may voluntarily or be required by OneStar to deploy to an area outside their service area to assist in disaster response and recovery activities.