Art Employment Coach/Employment Specialist

Center for Creative Works (CCW), a Progressive Art Studio program, seeks a full time, Employment Specialist to work with our programs in Wynnewood and Philadelphia . We are a studio art program for neuro diverse artists, dedicated to the highest quality of work possible for the artists in this studio. CCW also engages the broader arts community through residencies, workshops, and other forms of collaboration and programming. Our studio provides materials and equipment for a wide range of artistic mediums as well as promotion and marketing for our artists.

The Employment Specialist CCW Employment Specialist provides direct vocational assessment, job development, and job coaching services to participants who are interested in self employment as artists and makers. The Employment Specialist will use their skills as artists to identify needed supports to overcome barriers, for our artists, to building their platform as a self employed artist. This includes assisting in skill building, strategic planning with the individual, and guiding in all aspects of building their business as an artist or maker. Employment Specialists at CCW work with individual artists with intellectual disabilities to build their small business as fine artists, artisans, or in any direction identified by the artist. This may mean identifying a product, inventory creation, quality control of production, sales platform (website, social media etc), assisting artists in understanding sales and revenue, and working with them to create and identify opportunities to sell work.

You will also be a part of a highly creative and dynamic team of unique thinkers, artists, and community focused staff working in an active art studio. You will have an opportunity to contribute on many levels to the growth of this program and our artists! Our team is passionate, inclusive and talented.

Join us!

What’s exciting about this position:

• You will be working in a very unique program advocating for and assisting talented artists with intellectual disabilities in building their careers.
• You will have plenty of opportunity to contribute and build experience on many levels as you will be an integral part in the building of this new organization.
• You will be a part of a highly creative and dynamic team of artists, and community focused staff and have an opportunity to contribute on many levels to the growth of this program and of our artists.

What’s you’ll love here:

• CCW is a program of Resources for Human Development and a values driven organization. We are committed to these values which include the empowerment of our participants and staff and to the flexibility to meet the changing needs of all of our partners and those we serve.
• On the job training. Training is available year round to our employees and CCW will carry the cost of most eligible trainings that employees may find on their own as well. RHD also offers scholarships twice yearly to help cover outside education costs.
• A lively, very engaged, joyful, family focused team dynamic.
• A management team that is also dedicated to supporting your own development.
• full benefits.

If you are interested in progressive, engaged thinking around identity, work options, creative contribution and contributing to inclusivity, we may be a match for you. If you believe that everyone has something to offer ,and neuro-diversity adds to the richness of our communities and should be celebrated, you will feel at home here.

CCW offers full benefits which include health, life, dental insurances, PTO package, and more. Join us!

Essential Duties and Functions:

• Vocational Assessment, Job Development, Job Coaching- specifically in art and art related fields.
• working with individual artists in an external studio
• Assists participants in reaching the goals identified in the ISP.
• Engage individuals in a trusting and supportive relationship, providing emotional support within professional boundaries.

Administration:

• Provides emergency on-call coverage in rotation with other team members as needed.
• Provides all forms support for individuals pursuing self-employment.
• Completes all documentation timely.
• Other duties as assigned.

CCW’s Employment Specialist is focused on Development and Coaching of artists in their work as self-employed artists. In addition to job duties listed above, job duties also include:

• Assessing for the direction and interest level of the individual.
• Developing all aspects of self employment as an artist with individuals.
• Working with individuals to develop, promote and sell their work.
• Assist in quality control of an individual’s product.
• Act as an assistant in some areas of production of the artistic product.
• Assist in organizing and accompany an individual to sales events.
• Spend time in the community with an individual to source materials, network for their business, promote their work and approach businesses to carry products.
• Work with a team to maintain the studio for SE artists.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree. Preference given to a degree in an art related field.
• 2 years experience in community based vocational work or in building and promotion of professional art and/or design practices or in building a small business.
• Knowledge of community resources, experience in consumer advocacy, and the capability of participation in a team format is essential.
• Must have a valid driver’s license.
• Must be willing to perform all job-related travel associated with this position.
• Occasional work on evenings or weekends to support artists at sales events such as fairs, etc.