Kids Dance Outreach Seeks Dance Teaching Artists
Posted: May 15, 2023
Kids Dance Outreach seeks Part-Time Dance Teaching Artists to join for the 2023-2024 school year.
About Kids Dance Outreach (KDO)
The mission of Kids Dance Outreach (KDO) is to positively impact the lives of all children through joyful dance programs that inspire excellence, instill confidence, encourage teamwork, and applaud persistence. Since 2012, more than 19,000 children have experienced the transformative power of the arts through KDO’s high-quality dance programs. As an innovative dance and arts education model, KDO provides equity and access to the community – programs are FREE to participating children and their families.
“What style of dance does KDO teach?” KDO’s movement vocabulary is not based on one specific style but focuses on providing a high-energy, inspiring, accessible dance class where all children can succeed! All KDO classes are accompanied by professional musicians with the use of live music. Various themes and other curricular content can sometimes drive choreography that celebrates and is influenced by specific techniques – honoring diversity and culture while remaining accessible to all.
About the Dance Teaching Artist Position
Limited positions available
Responsibilities:
Uphold KDO’s mission and values, furthering access, equity, and themes of diversity and inclusion through KDO’s innovative arts education model.
Learn, train, and immerse themselves in KDO’s pedagogy, i.e., teaching techniques, movement vocabulary, co-teaching in Teams, teaching with live music, and incorporating the Musician’s role in the classroom.
Connect their background and expertise with KDO’s teaching techniques to engage and inspire diverse groups of children.
Work collaboratively as part of a Team of Teaching Artists and Musicians to deliver high-quality dance and arts education across KDO programs, including In-School, Advanced Scholarship, Dancers with Disabilities, and other community programs.
Utilize strong classroom management skills (encouraging, inspiring, and inclusive) to uplift and motivate children to excellence.
Foster a safe environment where each child can reach their full potential.
Respond to and adapt programming and instruction in diverse and dynamic environments.
Utilize technology and systems provided by KDO to maintain effective communication with other Team members, Program Coordinators, and Administrators to coordinate and define their schedules and programming assignments.
Participate in ongoing professional development and training opportunities provided by KDO and other partners.
Collaborate with colleagues, educators, families, and community partners to ensure KDO programs meet the wider community’s needs.
Advocate for and advance equitable arts education in Indianapolis.
Kids Dance Outreach is an equal-opportunity employer. KDO celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all. KDO serves children of all races, backgrounds, religions, and abilities. KDO firmly believes in and has witnessed the power of the Arts as a catalyst for change. KDO continues to seek innovative ways to effect change in the community and the world through their mission and strives to be part of that change. KDO invites and strongly encourages teaching artists from diverse backgrounds to apply.
Attributes:
Strong alignment with KDO’s purpose, mission, and values.
Committed to life-long learning, improvement and growth, and collaboration.
Passionate about children’s well-being and giving them the highest quality experience with joy, purpose, and empathy.
Self-motivated yet able to thrive as part of a team.
Adaptable, resilient, and persistent – creative problem-solver.
Ability to be responsive to an ever-changing, evolving environment.
Willing to explore dance and movement beyond the confines of traditional techniques.
Empathetic leader and mentor to children and colleagues.
Embrace the potential and opportunities as a member of a fast-growing organization.
Believe in the power of dance, arts, and education to positively impact individuals and communities and advance social justice.
Professional dance performance and/or training and choreographic experience are a plus.
Experience working with musicians is a plus.
Desire to positively contribute to the Indianapolis community through the arts and education.
Qualifications:
High-energy, active, and dynamic mover.
Experience as a dancer, teacher, choreographer, or other practicing artist who uses movement to connect people through a dynamic experience.
Well-rounded in various styles of movement and/or performing arts (i.e., ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, street dance, hip hop, stepping, commercial dance, ballroom, movement choir, group fitness instruction, dance/movement therapy, cultural dance, musical theatre, etc.).
Understanding of musical phrasing and strong musicality.
Strong communication skills.
Willingness to have one’s perspective of dance & movement challenged.
Maintain a fundamental belief that all individuals have the ability to move and experience the joy of dance, regardless of their background – embrace everyone’s potential.
Must be dependable, responsible, focused, and punctual.
Reliable transportation within Indianapolis and Marion County.
Available during the school day (9:00 am – 3:00 pm) at least (2) days a week for the entirety of the school year (August-May)
Must be currently authorized to work in the United States for any employer.
Employment is contingent upon a successful background check.
Compensation:
Teaching Artists in Training – $23/hr stipend
Teaching Artists In-Training must complete professional development and training in the KDO methodology prior to full employment with KDO.
Training period: (75-100) hours total, over (10-12) weeks, (3) hours weekly average.
First-Year Teaching Artist – $30 – $40/hr
First-year KDO Teaching Artists are hired on a seasonal, hourly basis and compensated at $30-$40/class, depending on their teaching experience. Classes typically run for 45 to 60 minutes, with an average of 3-5 teaching hours per week.
Additional compensation for evening, weekend, and other community engagement-related events and/or performances, including but not limited to KDO Event of the Year.
New Teaching Artists will be paired with Master Teaching artists to shadow and co-teach.
All KDO programs are offered in the Fall (August-November), Spring (February – May), and Summer (June-mid July).
Scheduling based on availability and programming schedule.
Eligibility for a pay increase following one year of continuous employment.
Paid ongoing professional development.
Application Process:
Interested candidates must apply by June 9th, 2023.
For full consideration, all interested candidates will be required to attend one of the Experience a KDO Class workshops at the Athenaeum on 401 E. Michigan St. Indianapolis, IN 46205, either on Tuesday, June 13th, 5:00-6:00pm or Saturday, June 17th from 11:00am – 12:00pm.
Following participation in the Experience a KDO Class! workshop, KDO will invite select candidates to observe KDO programming and participate in a short series (1-3 days) of introductory training sessions in the KDO methodology, including a one-on-one interview with members of the KDO Team. Final candidates will be offered Teaching Artists In-Training contracts beginning August 2023 and receive a stipend of $23/hour.
Teaching Artists In-Training must complete professional development and training in the KDO methodology prior to full employment with KDO.
Training period: (75-100) hours total, over (10-12) weeks, (3) hours weekly average.
Once training is successfully completed, first-year KDO Teaching Artists are hired on a seasonal, hourly basis and compensated at $30-$40/class, depending on their teaching experience. Classes typically run for 45 to 60 minutes, with an average of 3-5 teaching hours per week.
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