The Community Art Collaborative (CAC) AmeriCorp program at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) was created in 2004. Since 2004, about 130 CAC members have worked with 40 different host sites. Their service expands the ability of their host sites to reach more Baltimore residents and engages thousands of neighbors in community art projects. In particular, CAC helps youth participants achieve in school by fostering creativity and critical thinking.
The Community Art Collaborative will begin accepting applications for the 2019-20 Program Year starting on March 20, 2019. The priority deadline for submitting applications is May 10, 2019, and applications will officially close on May 31, 2019. More updates about our application process will be coming soon! If you have any questions, please feel free to email CAC Program Manager Sarah Edelsburg, at [email protected] or visit www.mica.edu/cac.
About Being a CAC Member
CAC Members will be placed in year-long residencies at community arts organizations in Baltimore City. Members will develop curriculum, teach classes & workshops, and assist in the evaluation of classes and programs. Members will provide outreach to potential program participants, publicize opportunities & events, and incorporate ongoing feedback from children served in program planning. Members will also assist in increasing volunteers and resources. They will have the opportunity to design and implement community & service learning projects that can include students and other members of the community. Members are required to have experience teaching art to youth in order to be considered.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities that CAC is looking for:
- Teaching Experience - At least one year of experience in either teaching youth (K-12 students) in a community setting, or working on community projects that incorporate youth.
- Experience in volunteer service projects and/or community organizing for events or projects.
- Excellent communication skills (verbal & written) and in general - an ability to stay in communication with the program throughout the year.
- Solid writing skills, for writing lesson plans, monthly report reflections, and potential grants.
- Organizational and time management skills, attention to detail, and strong work ethic.
- Some experience in data and information management.
- Ability to be a strong team player.
CAC-AmeriCorps Requirements:
- CAC Members serve at their Host Sites for around 35-40 hours per week. That time includes: planning, meeting with Site Supervisors, training workshops, and leading/teaching programs.
- Filling out bi-weekly AmeriCorps timesheets and Monthly Reports (using an online website)
- Participating in a Program Evaluation that is required for every AmeriCorps program each year:
- Tracking some areas of interest at your sites - For example: how many students you work with, how many volunteers you recruit, what partnerships you might form… etc.
- Handing out Pre- and Post-Surveys to your students at the beginning and end of the program year
- Attending CAC group meetings and CAC training workshops - typically once a month, periodically twice a month, on Fridays.
- Meeting with the CAC Program Manager for check-in meetings and observations at your site.
Benefits of the CAC-AmeriCorps Program:
- A living allowance of $14,500 for the whole year (paid in bi-weekly amounts)
- Health coverage for the program year (includes medical, dental, and vision)
- Also available: Partial reimbursement for childcare (AmeriCorps childcare benefits)
- An Education Award from AmeriCorps of $5,920 upon successful completion of your service year, which can be used to pay eligible student loans or other eligible educational expenses. (One standard service year is 1700 hours of service)
- Tons of ongoing professional development training - in curriculum development, classroom management, grant writing, community organizing, non-profit management, and much more!
- Valuable work experience that can help propel your career forward after AmeriCorps.
- Access to a vibrant network of local arts organizations in Baltimore, and to the national AmeriCorps network, for future opportunities and general networking.
Being part of a community arts team of colleagues that you can collaborate with and learn from!
Details to Note
- Finalists will be asked to do some research on our Partner Organizations in preparation for an interview and should be available for an interview in person, by phone or by video conference in June.
- The AmeriCorps Service year commitment would begin the last week of August 2019 and run through August 14 of the next year (August 2020).
- CAC's program year is contingent on approval of funds from the Corporation for National and Community Service.