Teen Lounge at Fleisher Art Memorial is now accepting workshop proposals for our Fall 2026 term from September to November until Friday, July 3 at 11:59 PM.  

Call for Workshop Proposals: Teen Lounge at Fleisher Art Memorial

Teen Lounge is a free, drop-in after-school arts program designed for young people ages 13 to 19. The program offers teens a chance to connect, create, and collaborate with professional Philadelphia-based artists in a welcoming and inclusive environment. Past workshops have included topics such as sewing plush monsters, rug tufting, Nerikomi ceramics, character design, figure drawing, and more. We welcome diverse artistic approaches, and experimental proposals are strongly encouraged.

Workshop Format: 

• Schedule: Workshops meet once a week for four weeks 
• Days/Times: Tuesdays or Wednesdays, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM 
• Location: Fleisher Art Memorial
• Compensation: $595 stipend for teaching artists 

Artists will have access to Fleisher’s full studio facilities, including printmaking, ceramics, and jewelry studios. Proposals should be designed to engage teens through an exciting theme or medium that resonates with their interests and experiences. Please note: Teen Lounge is a drop-in program, so participant attendance may vary each session, with some teens only attending 1 of the 4 sessions. Plan your workshop with flexibility in mind to accommodate a range of artistic experiences and group sizes (typically 15–20 teens per session). Proposal Review & Selection: After submitting your proposal, up to 15 artists will be invited to present at a mandatory Proposal Fair:

• Date: Thursday, July 16 
• Time: 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM 
• Location: Fleisher Art Memorial 
• Compensation: $25 gift card for participation 

During the Proposal Fair, you'll meet Teen Lounge students, share your workshop idea, and answer questions. The teens will vote to select which proposals are offered as future workshops. Selected artists will be notified no later than Monday, August 3rd.   Questions? Contact: Rachel Hsu Manager of Children & Youth Education 📧 cy@fleisher.org We look forward to seeing your ideas!

Fleisher Art Memorial and Teen Lounge are committed to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and accessible environment. We welcome proposals from artists of all backgrounds and lived experiences, and encourage submissions from individuals of color, women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and others whose perspectives and voices are underrepresented in the arts.  

Position Title: Children and Youth Teaching Artist (Mandarin-speaking)   

Reports to: Manager of Children and Youth    

Position Classification: Part-Time Faculty    

Wage Classification: Hourly, Non-Exempt    

Start Date: Saturday, September 16th, 2026   

End Date: Saturday, November 21st, 2026 with potential future opportunities      

Position Summary     

Fleisher Art Memorial is seeking a Mandarin-speaking lead teaching artist to teach two Drawing Fundamentals classes to 6th – 8th grade and 9th – 12th grade in our Young Artists Program. Additional Saturday and future teaching opportunities may become available.      

Who You Are      

You are a passionate and experienced arts educator with a strong artistic foundation and a commitment to inclusive, community-centered teaching. You have experience developing and delivering engaging, age-appropriate curriculum for middle and high school-aged students, and you bring warmth, flexibility, and creativity to your classroom. You are excited about the opportunity to be part of a new initiative that expands access to the arts for Mandarin-speaking children and families.       

Essential Duties and Responsibilities (Duties include, but not limited to): 

• Design and implement a developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive curriculum 
• Maintain clear and timely communication with Fleisher staff regarding supply needs, lesson planning, and scheduling updates. 
• Arrive 15–30 minutes prior to the start of class to complete setup and prepare the studio environment. 
• Guide and encourage students to participate in cleaning and resetting the studio space at the end of each session. 
• Foster a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming classroom environment that supports the learning and creative expression of all students. 
• Communicate any schedule changes, delays, or absences to the Manager of Children and Youth to ensure continuity and coverage.  

 Qualifications: 

• Fluent Mandarin speaker with the ability to lead instruction and effectively communicate with students and families in Mandarin. 
• Demonstrated experience teaching and creating thoughtful, fun, and culturally relevant art to middle and high school-aged students. 
• Ability to develop and deliver thoughtful, engaging, and age-appropriate visual arts lessons. 
• Comfortable teaching in diverse and dynamic classroom environments 
• Strong communication, time management, and organizational skills 

 Teaching Artist must have, or obtain, prior to September 16th, the following clearances: 

• Pennsylvania State Police Criminal Record Check (PSP) 
• PA Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance 
• FBI Fingerprint-Based Criminal History Clearance 
• Child Abuse Mandated Reporter Training Certificate 

 Compensation and Benefits: 

• $35 per hour, including 1 additional paid hour per teaching day for class prep and cleanup 
• One free Fleisher class per term 
• Participation in Fleisher’s Annual Faculty Exhibition 
• Digital PMA ID granting free access to many area museums 
• Discounts on other Fleisher programming for you and your immediate family 

 Application Process: To apply, please submit the following materials via Submittable: 

• Cover letter and current résumé 
• Up to 12 images of current artwork 
• Up to 12 images of student artwork (if available) 
• Three professional references 
• (Optional) Course descriptions, curriculum outlines, and/or evaluation materials from previous teaching experiences 

 About Fleisher Art Memorial      Founded in 1898, Fleisher Art Memorial is the nation’s oldest community-based art center, dedicated to making art accessible to everyone, regardless of economic means, background, or artistic experience. Located in Southeast Philadelphia, Fleisher provides affordable studio art classes, exhibitions, and community-based programs designed to inspire and empower. 

  Fleisher Art Memorial is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression), disability (physical or mental), genetic information, citizenship status, ancestry, veteran or military status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. 

Rooted in our mission to make art accessible to all, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, and we encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, especially those from historically underrepresented groups, to apply. 

ColorWheels is Fleisher’s mobile art studio, launched in 2012 and delivering creative experiences directly to community members in neighborhoods throughout Philadelphia.

The van is equipped with the tools and supplies needed for Fleisher’s teaching artists to guide community members in hands-on, culturally inspired mini-workshops, collaborative public art projects, and demonstrations of art techniques.