CalArts CAP Lead Instructor - Photo Lab

CalArts CAP Lead Instructor - Analog Photography

 [Photo Lab Program, Spring, 2026] - Job Description

CAP, a co-curricular program of CalArts, offers free arts programs for youth ages 4-18 in every discipline taught at the institute. CAP is dedicated to strengthening relationships with communities across the county, including high-need and systemically underserved areas. 

Position Overview: 

CAP Lead instructors (CLIs) for the Photo Lab Program at the CalArts campus

Location: CalArts Photo Lab  

Schedule: Feb. 21- May 2nd - Class meets on Saturdays only (Nine Saturdays) I No class on 3/28 and 4/4 

Pay Rate:

[$45] Instructional hour 

[$45] Supplemental hour (admin., meetings, prep, planning, & revising)  

[$25] Training rate/hour 

Hours: 1pm - 5pm

Total hours :

Up to 54 hrs Teaching  ( 4hrs Teaching & 2hrs prep per week x 9 Saturdays)

Up to 18 hrs Unit planning  (Unit plans for the first three Saturdays must be submitted by February 18)

Up to 10 hrs Onboarding + meetings

Training: Must be available for CAP training on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 11 AM to 4 PM at CalArts.

Essential Job Functions:

• Develop and/or facilitate engaging, innovative, sequential, art unit plans appropriate for high school students. 


• Facilitate in-person arts discipline instruction alongside your teaching partner and/or CAP Assistant Instructor (CAIs). 


• Mentor CAIs by involving them in the planning and execution of CAP classes, including creating opportunities for them to lead or co-lead up to one lesson over the course of the class.


• Attend all mandatory training (in-person/online) with other CLIs and CAIs before the start of the program. 


• Attend all mandatory meetings with the Program Manager, including [welcome meeting (orientation), check-ins, informal/formal teaching observations.

• Attend site visits of assigned partner site/s before the first day of the program with CAP Program Manager.

• Manage all administrative aspects of the CAP class, including:
  
  
  
  • Submit the class grade level appropriate curriculum to the Program Manager by the due dates using the required CAP unit plan template.
  
  
  • Review and deliver the assigned grade level appropriate class curriculum as directed by the Program Manager.
  
  
  • Record student attendance numbers and save them to the appropriate folder.
  
  
  • Implement classroom management strategies, including routines and rules for creating a supportive learning environment that encourages artistic risk-taking, conflict resolution, and student participation.   
  
  
  • Prep: set up and clean up classrooms, carts, and/or instructional materials (in-person/online).  
  
  
  • Keep the Program Manager informed of any unexpected occurrences/incidents involving students or stakeholders—including classroom teachers, site staff, parents, administrators, and donors—and ensure that all required incident reports are promptly completed and submitted.
  
  
  • Email parents/guardians with important class updates promptly. 
  
  
  • Maintain a materials budget and share it with the program manager for approval before the purchase deadline. 
  
  
  • Distribute and collect youth code of conduct forms, student risk and liability waiver, photo release forms, and emergency medical form at the start of the program. 
  
  
  • Participate in CAP’s program Formal Evaluation processes.  
  
  
  • Complete all incident report forms and submit them to the Program Manager within 24 hours of the incident.            
  
  
  
  


• Work in collaboration with the CAP Program Manager to plan, coordinate, and administrate the CAP class, including the maintenance and storage of supplies and equipment, installation and maintenance of software, and support with culminating event.


• Represent CalArts, CAP amongst multiple community stakeholders, including, site leaders/staff, parents, administrators, and donors, and build relationships of mutual trust and respect.


• Log hours worked everyday in PayCom and submit timesheets on time. 


• Respond to emails, phone calls, and other communications within 36 hours of receipt.


• Must be able to travel to areas within Los Angeles County, including but not limited to the CalArts campus and partner site locations. 

Skills and Abilities 

• Demonstrated experience of community-based (K-12) teaching. 


• Demonstrated knowledge and expertise in teaching analog and digital photography.


• Demonstrated ability to assess students’ progress and skill levels objectively. 


• Excellent verbal, written, and visual communication skills. 


• Preferred: Experience teaching in Title I-designated schools and surrounding communities 


• Preferred: Experience teaching the students the process of developing and printing in both black and white and color.


• Preferred: Knowledge or familiarity with the California Art Standards.


• Preferred: Computer skills with knowledge of Google Suite (Docs, Slides, Sheets, Meet), Zoom


• Preferred: Bilingual in Spanish/English.  

Education 

• Minimum Requirement: BA or BFA in an arts discipline or arts education 


• Preferred: MA or MFA
  in Photography 

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. Must complete a background check via Live Scan certification and clearance of TB negative test results before the first day of class instruction.

Work Environment/Physical Conditions

CLIs are required to maintain a clean and safe classroom learning environment, physical or virtual, that promotes learning, creativity, curiosity, and equity. 

CLIs may routinely:

• Experience exposure to toner, whiteout, cleaning fluids, office equipment, noise, talking, air conditioning, and heating. Exposure to art materials such as paint, ink, charcoal, clay, etc. 


• Lift, push, carry supplies, equipment, instruments, or classroom furniture up to 40lbs. 


• Bend, twist, reach, stand, and or/sit for long periods of time. 


• Using computers and viewing LCD screens for prolonged periods of time. 


• Work with video equipment and become comfortable with recording and/or being recorded. 

How to Apply: 

Please fill out the job application via  Bamboo

Phone and in-person or virtual interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis. 

Please no hard copies or phone calls. 

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees assigned to this work. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. The actual essential duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may vary by department, reporting structure, or other business needs. No inference should be drawn that a specific job duty, responsibility, or qualification is non-essential by its absence from this description. This does not constitute an employment contract. CalArts Community Arts Partnership management reserves the right to amend and adjust responsibilities as necessary to meet business and organizational needs.