Camp Coordinator

LA River Arts is hiring an Arts Coordinator for Summer 2023 Public Art Camp at our Hermon Park location: “El Rio de Cosas”

The LA River Arts Public Art Camp mission is to grow creative, curious, confident and caring kids who learn these skills by working collaboratively with each other and Nature to create art. We are seeking an Arts Coordinator with experience making and teaching art, who loves working with kids ages 6-12, and can be self-directed in organizing the supplies and operations that are essential for making art with 40-60 kids each weekly session.

We believe summer camp is the perfect opportunity for kids, and our staff, to grow as imaginative and curious human beings. At El Rio de Cosas Public Art Camp we use the arts as a way to engage creatively with the natural world. Our summer staff are trained to build on, and harness their own strengths and experiences to build a warm, inclusive and inspiring community.

Job Description:

El Rio de Cosas Arts Coordinator is a core part of our team of Public Art Camp teaching artists, working collaboratively with other team members to supervise and build relationships with our campers and create a safe, fun and caring camp environment. In addition, the Arts Coordinator works closely and collaboratively with the Site Supervisor to ensure all arts programming at camp runs smoothly.

This includes:

Morning Art Activities: Helping to plan and set up our open-ended morning art activities when the campers arrive. All activities are outdoors in the park under the canopy of mature sycamores — with the Art in the Park community art center as our anchoring facility.

Big Art Projects: Working with our Camp Supervisor, and other Teaching Artists, facilitating and instructing campers in the weekly Big Thematic Art Project that all campers work on. These projects are part of the camp curriculum and may include large-scale assemblage of found objects, large paintings, papier mache animal masks, poetry book making, collage projects, costumes and more.

Art during “Choice Activity Time”: Learning and then leading our “skill building” El Rio de Cosas art projects during our afternoon choice activities. Teaching other staff how to facilitate these projects. Developing new, engaging art and craft projects based on your experience and interests — use of non-toxic and non-extractive compostable materials is our main guideline. Experience in weaving, lashing techniques using rattan and other fibers is preferred.

Managing materials and projects: On a daily basis, keeping camp art materials and camper artwork organized and accessible. Ensuring all campers take home their artwork by the end of each week.

Our Ideal Arts Coordinator:

– has experience working with kids: Easily and warmly connects with kids; genuinely likes being with 5-12 year-olds, is empathetic and patient, has a sense of humor, and can be authentic and real with kids- as well as silly and fun.

– has experience teaching and/or facilitating art projects with children/youth: Knows how to create an informal lesson plan and how to explain and instruct children in a developmentally appropriate way. Is passionate about guiding and encouraging kids on their creative journey.

– has an arts practice and likes working in different art media: Is experienced working in the arts. Can quickly and comfortably dive into our thematic mixed-media art projects, and learn new art-making techniques on the spot; thrives in an experimental and improvisational environment.

– loves being out in nature: Our camp is almost 100% outdoors in a beautiful park setting. Each day we visit the Arroyo Secco and there will be times when you will be walking and making art on the trail with the kids.

– is fun, flexible, open minded and creative. You have a sense of humor, and can easily adapt to changing plans. You have a natural curiosity and can make even ordinary moments EXTRAordinary.

– is a caring and hardworking team player: Can work closely and collaboratively with a small team, take initiative, communicate well, are self-directed and see summer at El Rio de Cosas as an opportunity to learn together, work hard, build community, and have each other’s back.

– is responsible, self-directed and safety-minded. You are eagle-eyed to keep kids safe, and can stay calm when there are challenges. You are able to take initiative and resolve conflicts when needed. All staff need to be certified in CPR and first aid and will be provided with an online course prior to the start of camp.

– is bilingual. You are fluent in Spanish and English, able to communicate warmly and effectively with mono-lingual campers

– is available, committed and reliable: Camp runs four weeks in Hermon (Highland Park-adjacent) (July 10th-Aug. 8th). There is to be a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on the Saturday following the last day of camp (August 9th). For the Arts Coordinator position we prefer someone who can commit to working all of the 4 weeks + 3 days of prep + 1 day of River Clean Up before the start of camp and 1 day after the close of camp for the Ribbon Cutting. Our location is accessible by bicycle, public transportation and automobile. There will be paid staff training/ camp curriculum prep for 2 days prior to the start of camp (July 6-7th).
A one day clean up along the LA River may occur on Sunday June 16th, so that families of campers can meet each other and pitch in to clean debris out of the river — and find “treasures” that may be used in the making of the large public art work at the camp.

Camp hours are 8:30am – 3:30pm Monday – Friday. Salary range is $150-200 per day.

NOTE: Before applying please check the commute time/distance on your navigation system and determine if this is a reasonable daily commute. Our Hermon address is 5568 Via Marisol Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90042, If this position at El Rio de Cosas Public Art Camp sounds intriguing, please send a cover letter and resume to jenna@lariverpublicartproject.org.
DEADLINE: APRIL 28, 2023