Creative Impact Fellow

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MICA Center for Creative Impact

JOB REQUISITION

TITLE: Creative Impact Fellow - Graphic Design

Jones Falls Initiative

MICA’s Center for Creative Impact is seeking a MICA Graphic Design student to work as a part-time Creative Impact Fellow on our Jones Falls Initiative, a multi-year, multi-project initiative of the Center for Creative Impact to leverage the creative talents and methodologies across MICA alumni, faculty, staff, and students, working in collaboration with our community partners, to increase awareness of, inspiration for, and investment in the Jones Falls Watershed. 

The Creative Impact Fellow will focus primarily on supporting the project team for our Jones Falls 2076 project, a speculative and collaborative design project bringing together creative and environmental communities across Baltimore to imagine aspirational futures for the Jones Falls Watershed. Jones Falls 2076 is a project of the Ecological Design Collective, coordinated by Lee Davis (MICA Center for Creative Impact), Anand Pandian (Johns Hopkins University), and Bruce Willen (Public Mechanics). 

Scope of Work

Starting in the Spring 2026 semester, the Creative Impact Fellow will provide graphic design support to the Jones Falls 2076 project team, including: 

• Co-designing an overall project branding design and system; 

• Applying the project brand to digital and print collateral for the project, including but not limited to: website, fliers/brochures, presentations/slides, social media, etc. 

• Collaborating with the project team on designs for digital and print materials for the Jones Falls 2076 series of speculative design workshops in Spring 2026;  Collaborating with the project team on designs for digital and print materials for the Jones Falls 2076 exhibitions at Area 405 and The Peale Museum

The Creative Impact Fellow will work on these activities in varying degrees, depending on project timelines and needs.

Timeline

Start date: January 20, 2026

End date: July 31, 2026 (with potential for extension)

The Creative Impact Fellow will work the equivalent of approximately one day per week for the duration of their fellowship, totalling a maximum of 125 hours over the 6-month period (MICA’s work day is equivalent to 7 hours/day). 

The work schedule may vary week to week to accommodate the Fellow’s class schedule and commitments, as well as project-related meetings and deadlines. As a result, some weeks the Fellow may work more or less than 7 hours, but the Fellow will track their hours worked (not to exceed the allotted 125 total) and coordinate with their supervisor, Lee Davis, to allocate their time accordingly. At the beginning of the fellowship, the Fellow and their supervisor will come up with a work plan together.

Compensation

The Creative Impact Fellow will receive a stipend totalling $2,500 for the duration of their 6-month fellowship (equivalent to approximately $20/hour for 125 hours of work total). The stipend will be paid in equal, biweekly installments through student payroll.

Experience and Skills Required

The Creative Impact Fellow candidates must:  

• Be currently enrolled in Graphic Design at MICA

• Have demonstrated, professional graphic design experience 

• Have demonstrated experience and skills in collaborative team work (both virtually and in person) 

• Works well with a variety of working styles and personalities

• Demonstrate effective time management and able to work on various projects and responsibilities simultaneously

• Have professional project management and coordination experience, excellent organizational skills and attention to detail

• Have excellent representational and communication skills (verbal, written and visual), and able to communicate in an efficient and timely manner   

• Be self-motivated and unafraid to ask questions

• Be proficient at: 

  • Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop)

  • Zoom

  • Slack

  • MURAL and/or Miro

  • G Suite: Google drive, Gmail, Google docs, Sheets, etc.

  • Microsoft platforms: Word, Excel, Teams

Application Process

Applications must contain the following:

Letter of Interest (1 page maximum)—provide specific reasons or insights for your interest in the position.

Resume/CV—provide any professional experience or activities relevant to the project and position (past and/or current).

Work Sample—include 5-7 portfolio pieces that show your graphic design skills and experience, and any other relevant skills.

Class Schedule–include a breakdown of your weekly schedule with classes and other obligations for the spring 2026 semester, as well as any specific dates that you will be unavailable.

Applications must be submitted in Workday. 

• Please upload one PDF with all of the materials listed above. This may include embedded links.

• Please submit applications no later than 5:00pm EST on Friday, January 16, 2026. Applications received later than the deadline may not be considered. MICA assumes no responsibility or liability for late delivery or receipt of applications.

• Applications will be evaluated according to the criteria set forth in this job requisition. Notification of selection or non-selection of all respondents who submitted applications will be issued after the final selection is made.

• Questions regarding this job requisition must be submitted to Lee Davis, [email protected].

The application process will proceed according to the following anticipated schedule:

Evaluation Process and Criteria

After submission and review of applications, interviews may be requested. Selection of a candidates will be based on the following criteria:

• Interest in the position;

• Excellence in graduate study and relevant professional experience or activities;

• Skill/experience in human-centered design, facilitation, and other relevant skills.

MICA reserves the right to consider other relevant factors it deems appropriate in order to hire the best candidates. MICA may or may not seek additional information from applicants prior to making a selection. This RFP does not commit MICA to select any applicant. MICA reserves the right to accept or reject any or all submittals received, cancel or modify the requisition in part or in its entirety, or change the requisition guidelines, when it is in the best interests of MICA to do so.

Maryland Institute College of Art is committed to its policy of providing equal opportunity regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, or veteran status (disabled, Vietnam-era, or otherwise). Furthermore, the College does not tolerate any form of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment or sexual violence. This policy applies to all programs, facilities, and activities provided by Maryland Institute College of Art, including but not limited to admission, educational programs, and employment.

Applicants must apply online for each job in which they are interested. You will not be considered for any job for which you have not specifically applied. We do not accept applications via email, U.S. mail, or fax. Successful candidates for any staff or faculty positions will be subject to a pre-employment background check.

MICA provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please contact Human Resources at 410-225-2363.