Job Title: Youth Summer Programs Teaching Assistant
Status: Temporary
Dates: June 22nd – September 4th, 2026 (with possible extension during academic year)
Hours: up to 40 hours/week
Salary: $21.30/hour
Location: Gage – South Lake Union: 2107 Westlake Ave 98121
Department: Youth Programs
Reports To: Youth Programing Manager
Supervises: N/A
Coordinates with: Youth Instructors, Youth Teaching Assistants, Youth Programming Manager, Youth Programming Coordinator
About Gage’s Youth Programs:
Gage is committed to building a vibrant visual-arts community in the Northwest through programs that educate, enrich, and engage artists and the public.
Gage Youth Programs offer practical art instruction in drawing, painting, digital, and 3-D design for students aged 6 to 18. The curriculum encourages students to explore new materials and techniques, develop creative problem-solving skills and to celebrate self-expression. Gage Youth Programs strive to provide engaging, age-appropriate classes that enable young artists to be seen and heard.
Teaching Assistants provide Gage youth instructors with overall classroom support to create a positive, supportive, and engaging art experience for kids & teens ages 6-18 during summer camp programming.
Drawing on our Legacy, Shaping Our Future
At Gage Academy of Art, we believe that artists are made, not born, and that high-quality art education is an essential part of a strong, flourishing community.
GAGE MISSION:
Gage Academy of Art strives to educate, enrich, and engage artists and the community in the visual arts. Gage offers instruction in principles of drawing, painting, and sculpting and is dedicated to helping students of all ages and skill levels realize themselves as artists in contemporary society.
WHO YOU ARE:
- You are a Community Advocate who loves to share the school’s mission and objectives.
- You are a Collaborator who likes to be part of a small, cohesive program staff and nurture team members’ talents and knowledge to help advance the organization.
- You are Creative, thinking of innovative approaches to youth art instruction.
- You know the Impact of Arts Learning because, either personally or professionally, you have experienced how the arts can enhance social, emotional, and cognitive development at any age.
- You believe that Art is Essential to thriving cities and should be Accessible for All.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Set up & break down studios daily
- Create a clean environment where kids and teens can safely enjoy themselves
- Supervise youth artists to ensure positive and safe learning atmosphere
- Provide instructors with hands-on classroom support
- Assist instructor with overall classroom management
- Manage online classrooms through zoom and other online platforms
- Provide one-to-one assistance & feedback to students, as needed
- Mediate/solve in-classroom conflicts (e.g. disruptive behavior)
- Work cooperatively with instructors & other teaching assistants
- Create an inclusive environment for all
- Maintain a professional relationship with students, parents, & Gage staff
- Manage, gather, and organize supplies for instructor daily; monitor supply and materials usage
- Provide structured activities for the Creative Care program, Monday – Friday from 8am-9:15am OR 3:30pm-5pm
QUALIFICATIONS:
We place a high value on commitment, trustworthiness, diversity, and a growth mindset coupled with professional experience.
Required
- Experience working with youth.
- Ability to lift heavy objects (up to 50 lbs.) (tables, easels, model stands, etc.), sweep and mop floors, empty trash, and other clean up duties as assigned.
- CPR/First Aid certified – Gage will provide reimbursement
Preferred
- Artistic background with knowledge of art materials a plus
- Ability to engage youth in art-making activities
- Knowledge of Zoom, Padlet, and other distance learning tools – For Teen online camps only.
- Team player & problem-solver with ability to balance competing priorities
- Detail-oriented, fun and creative, energetic, warm, a good planner, and self-starter, loves working with teens or kids!
GAGE’S COMMITMENT TO EQUITABLE HIRING PRACTICES
At Gage, we embrace our team’s diverse experiences and perspectives, and we strive to be reflective of the community we serve. We empower our team to be their authentic selves and always be open to learning from one another. We foster an inclusive and equitable environment where all members of our community – including staff, students, faculty and a broad spectrum of Gage supporters – are treated with dignity and respect. Our hiring practices are reflective of these values: As an equal opportunity employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or neurodiversity, disability status, or genetic information.
Data shows that women and BIPOC candidates more frequently do not apply to a job because they don’t feel that they meet all the qualifications listed.
We strongly encourage applications from people with diverse backgrounds and lived experience, even if you have most but not all the qualifications listed above. If you feel passionate about our mission and believe that you have the skills to contribute to the growth of our organization, we want to hear from you.
HOW TO APPLY: Please send a cover letter and resume to Youth Programs Manager, Kathryn Jones, at jones.k@gageacademy.org.
Priority application review will be given to candidates who submit their application by April 19, 2026.
