Background Artist Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Who We Are

Creative Action is a community of artists and educators who believe in the transformative power of the arts. As a Teaching Artist, you are the heart of our mission, serving as the primary instructional lead for our high-quality Out of School Time (OST) and summer programs. We use creative expression to inspire youth (primarily elementary-aged) to become courageous allies, critical thinkers, and confident leaders.

Who We Want

As the heart of Creative Action’s direct service, the Teaching Artist is a highly motivated, team-oriented leader with a growth mindset and a deep passion for social justice and youth development. Responsible for a cohort of 15–20 students, you will serve as an inclusive facilitator who values diverse life experiences and uses the arts to inspire youth to become creative artists, courageous allies, critical thinkers, and confident leaders. This role requires a creative problem solver who can anticipate challenges with a positive attitude and a collaborative communicator who maintains a "can-do" spirit while building trust within a fast-paced community.

We serve schools throughout the Greater Austin area, including campuses in Del Valle, Manor, and Lockhart. Specific school placement will be determined post-hire based on staffing levels and program needs; while we do our best to accommodate requests, flexibility is key.

The schedule for this position is typically Monday through Friday, 2:30 PM – 6:00 PM when school is in session, alongside essential Friday morning training sessions from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM. This is an ideal opportunity for those dedicated to the transformative power of the arts and the mission of fostering critical thinking and leadership in the next generation.

Responsibilities

Instruction & Curriculum

• Classroom Leadership: Supervise a classroom of 15–20 students, leading all activities including lessons, snack time, outdoor play, and transitions.
• Lesson Planning: Develop daily and semester-long plans that align with Creative Action pedagogy and program goals.
• Classroom Management: Use positive behavior strategies to ensure student safety and foster a sense of community.
• Program Vision: Maintain site procedures and high expectations in collaboration with Site Coordinators.

Operations & Compliance

• Safety: Maintain strict compliance with Texas Health & Human Services (HHS) Minimum Standards and organizational safety protocols.
• Documentation: Ensure timely communication, accurate sign-in/out procedures, and on-site paperwork.
• Reliability: Maintain a consistent attendance record to provide stability for our students.
• Logistics: Travel to and from assigned program sites; accurately report hours worked (including paid prep and meeting time).

Professional Development & Community

• Growth: Attend mandatory Friday morning trainings (10 AM – 1 PM), arts cohort sessions, and online DFPS training.
• Social Justice: Actively participate in anti-racism and inclusive practice efforts, including three full-company meetings per year.
• Events: Support community showcases and festivals, such as the Youth Arts Festival.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Reliable transportation to travel to and from various program sites.
• Physical Mobility: Ability to move quickly to ensure student safety, navigate stairs/ramps, and supervise students in classrooms and playgrounds across variable weather conditions.
• Clearance: Ability to pass all required background checks and fingerprinting for HHS licensing.
• Certification: Willingness to obtain CPR & First-Aid certification prior to start (provided by Creative Action).

Qualifications

• Artistic Background: Experience in visual arts, theater, music, dance, or film (Preferred).
• Educational Experience: Prior work with youth in educational or recreational settings; knowledge of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) frameworks (Preferred).
• Skills: Strong organizational abilities and excellent interpersonal communication.
• Language: Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a significant plus.

Benefits & Compensation

• Competitive Pay: Starting at $20.00 per hour.
• Additional Opportunity: Potential for extra hours during Day, Spring Break, and Summer camps.
• Paid Preparation: We value your time; you are compensated for lesson planning and staff meetings.
• Professional Growth: All pre-service and ongoing professional development is paid.
• Wellness & Perks: Access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) via AWP for mental health resources and exclusive LifeMart discounts.
• Supportive Culture: Join a collaborative, creative environment where your ideas are valued.

Commitment to Equity & Equal Employment Opportunity

Creative Action is an equal opportunity employer. We recruit, train, compensate, uplift and promote regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law. Creative Action has a clear vision: we are an organization in which a diverse group of unique thinkers and talented people come together to want to do their best work serving our students through the Arts. We know that our company would not succeed without the dedication and hard work of our creative and passionate employees.

Creative Action believes in diversity, equity, inclusivity and belonging, and this core set of values is reflected across every department and community in which we serve. We are committed to and focused on anti-racism and anti-oppression, and fold this into our organizational foundation. We believe deeply that diversity and differences are what make us an innovative, compassionate, and forward-thinking organization. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who identify as LGTBQIA+, bilingual, Black, Brown, Indigenous and/or people of color.

Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice to meet the evolving needs of the organization.