The EFA Rep

2026-2027 Season

EFA Teaching Artists

Education for the Arts is seeking dynamic, creative, and highly-motivated part-time Teaching Artists in Dance, Music, Theater, and Visual Arts.

What Is A Teaching Artist?

“A teaching artist is a practicing professional artist with the complementary skills and sensibilities of an educator, who engages people in learning experiences in, through, and about the arts.” -Eric Booth, Lincoln Center Institute Teaching Artist

EFA Residency Programs

Teaching Artists work in one or more residency programs depending on their interests, qualifications, and availability:

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Teaching Artists work in collaboration with educators to create inquiry-based, experiential workshops in the performing and visual arts in classrooms throughout Kalamazoo County. Teaching Artists have a strong understanding of the artistic discipline in which they work and the creative process. Teaching Artists have the ability to design and facilitate individualized lesson plans that engage students in rich discussion and creative exploration.

Essential Knowledge and Qualifications

  • Teaching Artists have a minimum of six months related professional experience and/or training.
  • Teaching Artists are actively engaged in their artistic field and possess a working knowledge of the creative process.
  • Prior teaching experience with K-12 students is preferred.
  • Teaching Artists possess strong communication, organizational, and time management skills, as well as a service mindset.
  • Teaching Artists must be able to travel to schools, museums, and performance spaces across Kalamazoo County.

Additional Requirements (Training and Audition)

Alternative Arts Initiative and/or the PACE Program – Candidates applying to the Alternative Arts Initiative and/or the PACE Program are asked to present a sample 10-minute workshop focused on an element of the creative process. The workshop should demonstrate the candidate’s classroom management style, as well as their ability to guide students through experiential, inquiry-based learning.

Aesthetic Education Program – Candidates will be invited to a required five-day aesthetic education training to immerse themselves in EFA’s philosophy and practice. The 2026 training dates are June 16-18 (part 1) and August 5-6 (part 2). The trainings run 9:00 AM-4:00 PM daily. After the training, select candidates will be invited to an audition where they will present a sample 10-minute workshop to demonstrate their understanding of and ability to teach to the Aesthetic Education pedagogy.

Work Locations

Education for the Arts’ residency programs are offered to more than 100 schools within the Kalamazoo RESA immediate school district. Teaching Artists work in Kalamazoo RESA programs, such as WoodsEdge Learning Center, in private schools, and in public schools within the following local districts:

  • Climax-Scotts
  • Comstock
  • Galesburg-Augusta
  • Gull Lake
  • Kalamazoo
  • Parchment
  • Portage
  • Schoolcraft
  • Vicksburg.

Work Hours

Work is part-time, flexible, and scheduled on a per-residency basis. Teaching Artists work throughout the school year during regular school hours and, occasionally, in after school programs. Teaching Artists attend program meetings and professional development opportunities year-round that may be scheduled during the school day or, occasionally, in the evening. 

Compensation

The pay rate for the 2026-2027 school year is $33.50/hour for teaching, lesson planning, staff meetings, and professional development. EFA Teaching Artists are considered part-time employees of EDUStaff and have access to optional benefits, such as a retirement savings plan and insurance. EFA provides ongoing professional development, access to world-class works of art, and a supportive community of professional Teaching Artists.

To Apply

Please email cover letter, resume, artistic work sample, and references to kevin.dodd@kresa.org, with “EFA Teaching Artist” in the subject line. EFA is interested in both your artistic qualifications and K-12 teaching experience. Please address both in your application materials. All applications and materials will be confidential.

Candidates may apply at any time, but are encouraged to do so before April 1st for the following school year.

In the event your qualifications match our needs, EFA will contact you to schedule an interview.

Notice of Non-discrimination

It is the policy of Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency that no discriminating practices based on race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation or sexual identity), disability, age, religion, height, weight, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information (collectively, “Protected Classes”) or any other legally protected category be allowed during any program, activity, service or in employment. The following positions at Kalamazoo RESA have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy: Superintendents- Tom Zahrt & Mindy Miller.

Image: Students participating in a PACE Program workshop with Teaching Artist Laura Livingstone-McNelis at Edison Elementary through the Kalamazoo Curiosity Lab, 2024.

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