1

Visual Arts Instructor Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Responsive recruiter Part-Time Studio Manager & Lead Instructor Kidcreate Studio Bethesda is ... We provide a positive, self-esteem-building environment for children to explore the visual arts.

Showing results 21-40

Visual Arts Instructor information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a visual arts instructor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Visual Arts Instructor, you need a solid background in art theory, studio techniques, and teaching methods, often supported by a degree in fine arts or art education. Familiarity with digital design tools, classroom management software, and traditional art materials is typically required. Strong communication, creativity, and adaptability help instructors engage diverse learners and foster a positive classroom environment. These skills and qualities are crucial for inspiring students, effectively delivering instruction, and supporting artistic growth.

What are some common challenges visual arts instructors face when engaging diverse student groups, and how can they address them?

Visual Arts Instructors often work with students who have varying skill levels, backgrounds, and learning styles. A common challenge is ensuring that lessons remain accessible and inspiring for everyone, from beginners to advanced students. Instructors can address this by differentiating instruction, offering individualized feedback, and incorporating a variety of materials and techniques to keep students engaged. Building a supportive classroom environment and encouraging peer collaboration also help foster creativity and inclusivity.

What is the difference between Visual Arts Instructor vs Art Teacher?

AspectVisual Arts InstructorArt Teacher
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's degree in art or education, sometimes a teaching certificationUsually requires a bachelor's degree in art or education, often with state certification
Work EnvironmentArt studios, community centers, schools, collegesPublic and private schools, educational institutions
Employer & IndustryArt schools, community programs, educational institutionsPublic/private schools, school districts
Search & Comparison IntentPeople comparing roles in art education, community art programsPeople seeking traditional school-based art teaching positions

Both Visual Arts Instructors and Art Teachers work in educational settings and require similar credentials. However, Visual Arts Instructors often focus on community programs or specialized art studios, while Art Teachers are primarily employed in K-12 schools. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find roles aligned with their qualifications and career goals.

Are art teachers in high demand?

Art teachers, including visual arts instructors, are generally in steady demand in educational institutions, especially those with strong arts programs. Employment opportunities depend on school budgets, regional demand for arts education, and certification requirements, with many positions requiring a bachelor's degree and teaching credentials.

What is a visual arts instructor?

A visual arts instructor teaches students techniques and concepts in art forms such as drawing, painting, sculpture, and digital media. They often work in schools, community centers, or art studios, and may hold certifications or degrees in art education or related fields. Their role includes developing lesson plans, providing feedback, and fostering creativity among learners.
Infographic showing various Visual Arts Instructor job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 3% Temporary, 7% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 88% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Part-Time Lecturer, Arts and Cultures Across Antiquity

New York University

Washington, DC • On-site

Full-time, Part-time

Re-posted 17 days ago


New York University rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 46 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

80th of 620 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Description
NYU's Washington, DC Academic Center is seeking a local, part-time lecturer to teach an undergraduate course, "Arts and Cultures Across Antiquity" to start in Fall 2026. "Arts and Cultures Across Antiquity" is part of the Liberal Studies Core Curriculum for first year students. It is taught in English and meets in two 90-minute sessions each week. There are 14 instructional weeks, plus a 29th session for the final exam. In addition to the time required for course preparation, classroom instruction, and assessment, the instructor is required to hold a minimum of one set 60-minute office hour per instruction day, during which the instructor will be available to meet with students.NYU is committed to providing a campus community that reflects and enacts the values of inclusion, diversity, belonging, and equity that inform academic excellence.
We seek candidates with experience in and commitment to interdisciplinary teaching or scholarship that includes different perspectives from around the world. The instructor will prepare and deliver class sessions, and grade student work. NYU DC is a unique site, and one of our main strengths is our location; instructors will use Washington, DC as a learning tool (e.g., by inviting guest speakers or planning excursions). The course is intellectually challenging in content, and rigorous student assessment is required. We are especially interested in qualified candidates who share Liberal Studies' commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and candidates who can contribute to the diversity of intellectual life in Liberal Studies and NYU Washington, DC.
Course Details
"Arts and Cultures Across Antiquity" is part of a coherent global curriculum for NYU's Liberal Studies students. It investigates the literary, musical, visual, and performing arts from around the globe, from antiquity to the early fifth century CE. The course treats cultural works in their own right, as contexts for each other, and as ways of understanding the civilizations in which they were produced, together with their trans-regional connections. Instructors give special attention to encounters between cultures, explore intercultural transmission, consider how cultures define themselves by constructing cultural Others, examine how difference within cultures relates to difference across cultures, and ask what elements of artistic expression, if any, cross outside the boundaries of culture into universally human systems of value.
The course must cover ancient modes of visual artistic expression, and the class should visit at least one local museum. It should also include readings from the Greek epic tradition, at least one foundational text from Asia, texts from the Hebrew and Christian bibles, one work of drama, and examples of lyric poetry. Instructors may include any additional works they like, and may structure their syllabus to reflect their own interests and thoughts. The successful candidate will receive support in syllabus construction, if they request it.
Link to Course Description on Website: Arts and Cultures Sequence
Curriculum Background
Liberal Studies' Core is a dynamic liberal arts curriculum that provides a global and interdisciplinary foundation for nearly 100 NYU majors. The curriculum emphasizes conceptual and spatial frameworks to trace the movement of ideas and the interconnectivity of material culture, through the study of different texts, histories, exchanges, structures and systems, languages, arts, and writing from early antiquity through contemporary times. Small seminar-style classes and close faculty-student interaction ensure the benefits of a liberal arts college.
About NYU and NYU Washington, DC
Founded in 1831, New York University is the largest private university in the United States. The University has degree-granting campuses in New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai and operates 12 global academic centers, along with research programs in more than 25 countries. NYU Washington, DC is one of NYU's global academic centers where students can participate in study away while earning credits towards their degree. To learn more about NYU Washington, DC please visit the website: https://www.nyu.edu/washington-dc.html
Qualifications
A strong candidate will have a Ph.D. or equivalent training in a relevant field, including but not limited to, Art History, Classics, Comparative Literature, Cultural Studies, or Dramatic Literature, as well as some experience teaching courses at the undergraduate level within a degree-granting program.
Application Instructions
All applications must be made online through apply.interfolio.com/182628. Applications must include a cover letter and an updated CV. In the cover letter, please highlight any relevant experience you have in teaching.
Consideration for applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Applications will be reviewed jointly by NYU Washington, DC and NYU New York. The salary will be based on equivalent and appropriate rates for the course. Terms and conditions will be discussed with the successful applicant.
Please direct any questions to Kimberly Cheng, Assistant Director for Academic Affairs, at kac780@nyu.edu.

What New York University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


New York University logo

About New York University

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Since its founding in 1831, NYU has been an innovator in higher education, reaching out to an emerging middle class, embracing an urban identity and professional focus, and promoting a global vision that informs its 20 schools and colleges. Today, that trailblazing spirit makes NYU one of the most prominent and respected research universities in the world, featuring top-ranked academic programs and accepting fewer than one in eight undergraduates. Anchored in New York City and with degree-granting campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai as well as 12 study away sites throughout the world, NYU is a leader in global education, with more international students and more students studying abroad than any other US university.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

New York, NY, US

Year founded

1831