OPPORTUNITIES
Current Opportunities
Explore current openings, calls for artists, teaching artist positions, and more at Castle of our Skins. Join our mission to celebrate Black artistry and foster cultural curiosity through music and education.
Teaching Artist Mentorship Program
Organization
Castle of our Skins is a Black arts institution dedicated to fostering cultural curiosity and celebrating Black artistry through music. In classrooms, concert halls, and beyond, Castle of our Skins invites Black heritage and culture exploration, spotlighting both unsung and celebrated figures of past and present. For more information, please visit www.CastleSkins.org
About the Program
The Teaching Artist Mentorship Program is designed to educate and support Black students of Boston-area collegiate music institutions on the practice of teaching artistry; especially current students and recent graduates of music performance programs who may not have had exposure to teaching artistry. Through professional development training, teaching observations, and support from Castle of our Skins’ staff and current teaching artists, participants will gain a deeper understanding on what it means to be a teaching artist. With a specific focus on culturally responsive instruction and community workshop development, this program will also serve as an entryway for adding new Castle of our Skins teaching artists onto the roster.
Central to the program is having mentees developing their Teaching Artist Capstone Project, which will be creating a new community workshop activity or short-recital (15-30 minutes in length). These projects will be presented at December’s Edu-tainment program. Upon completing the capstone project, mentees will officially join the Castle of our Skins Teaching Artist Roster and be assigned paid education and community projects in the future. The final capstone project would be added into Castle’s educational offerings list.
Stipend
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Mentees in the program will receive a stipend of $750 after the presentation of the final Capstone Project in December
Schedule of Activities (All TBD Dates based on Mentee’s availability)
• March 24 - April 18 — Call for new teaching artists + applicants into the mentorship program
• April 25 - May 9 — Acceptances sent to mentees and contracts signed for upcoming Fall
• August TBD (One Weekday Evening Between August 18-29) — First Teaching Artistry Professional
Development (1.5 hours over Zoom) and selection of Capstone Project
• September TBD (One Weekend Day) — First teaching observations at partner site or edu-tainment
program observation
• October TBD (One Weekend Afternoon Between October 11-19) — Second Teaching Artistry
Professional Development (1.5 hours over Zoom) and workshop Capstone Project
• November TBD (One Weekend Day) — Second teaching observations at partner site or edu-tainment
program observation
• December TBD (One Weekend Afternoon Between December 6-14) — Presentation of Teaching Artist Capstone Project at Edu-tainment program
Any questions can be sent to Ruben McFarlane, Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships, at ruben@castleskins.org.
Open Call for Teaching Artists
Organization
Castle of our Skins is a Black arts institution dedicated to fostering cultural curiosity and celebrating Black artistry through music. In classrooms, concert halls, and beyond, Castle of our Skins invites Black heritage and culture exploration, spotlighting both unsung and celebrated figures of past and present. For more information, please visit www.CastleSkins.org
Position Description
Teaching Artists play a crucial role in executing various educational initiatives. Reporting to the Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships, Teaching Artists engage in projects centered around curriculum development, in-school instruction, and producing edu-tainment programs for community partners.
Duties and Responsibilities (assigned based on Teaching Artists’ interest areas)
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Edu-tainment Series Development and Instruction - Develop programs in one or both categories, to lead in community spaces:
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Recitals - 30-60 minute performative programs showcase the history and music of a singular black composers or collection of black composers
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Interactive Workshops - 30-60 minute culturally-responsive, interactive experiences for K-12 students and families around a central theme/idea in Black music or history
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In-School Classroom Visits - Instruct Castle of our Skins curriculum and/or other curated lessons in school classrooms or after-school music programs
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Instrumental Coachings - Lead sectional coachings in school classrooms or after-school music programs, either tied to Castle of our Skins’ side-by-side collaborations or general artistic support
Qualifications
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Prior teaching experience, including (but not limited to) direct student instruction, curriculum development, and community-based performances
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Students currently enrolled in an undergraduate music program that have participated in the Intercollegiate BSU Fellowship are eligible to apply
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A passion for working directly with the youth and diverse communities
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Highly organized with strong project management and communication skills, along with the ability to work independently and collaboratively with other teaching artists
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Committed to intersectional racial equity and anti-racism, with an interest in Black history and culture
Stipend
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Varies by Project
How to apply:
Complete the Teaching Artist Application Form, which will be accepted on a continuous rolling basis. Any questions can be sent to Ruben McFarlane, Director of Community Engagement and Partnerships, at ruben@castleskins.org