The Director of Career Development provides counseling and guides the Academy’s students and graduates in securing a career in the art world. This includes identifying suitable galleries, applying for grants and residencies, cultivating an online presence and other skills required for artists to pursue professional success. Additionally, the Director fosters connections with gallerists, art advisors, and curators, as well as other influencers in the field.
Catherine McCormick can be contacted at cmccormick@nyaa.edu.
The Academy’s curriculum supports students in building their professional networks while providing them with the information and resources needed to succeed as a creative professional after graduation. Through Professional Practice lectures and workshops, Career Services assists students and alumni with strategies and provides the knowledge needed to plan and accomplish their goals. From determining career paths and proper positioning in the marketplace to writing a curriculum vitae and handling relationships with galleries, the Academy offers strong support. Academy graduates have exhibited in major galleries and museums all over the world. They maintain robust studio practices, curate, teach and work at art non-profits, galleries and museums.
Some of the paid and unpaid opportunities for students and alumni include:
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Continuing Studies Teaching Assistant Program
Currently enrolled graduate students in the MFA program may apply to be teaching assistants for continuing studies classes. For information please contact the Director of Student Services student.services@student.nyaa.edu.
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Off-site Teaching Assistant Program
Separate from the Academy, currently enrolled graduate students in the MFA program may apply to be teaching assistants at local area colleges. For information please contact the Director of Student Services student.services@student.nyaa.edu.
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Alumni Teaching Assistant Program
The Alumni Teaching Assistant Program provides Academy alumni with the opportunity to gain valuable teaching experience at the graduate level. In turn, Academy instructors are provided with a teaching assistant to support the tutorial component of the curriculum and the operations of the classroom. All successfully graduated alumni who are in good standing are invited to submit applications to the program. Alumni will be matched with Academy instructors, based on the application, experience in a particular discipline and other considerations.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The Alumni Teaching Assistant (TA) core responsibility is to assist the primary instructor through the reinforcement of material covered during studio sessions. TA’s assigned to classes with a studio session are required to be present at this session. Responsibilities include:
- Taking attendance at instructed, uninstructed and makeup class sessions. Presence during uninstructed studio sessions is required.
- Conducting research and gathering materials as assigned by Instructor.
- Management of props, including the checking out, setup, cleanup and storage of props and lighting.
- Set-up/take down including easel, stool, and taboret placement and return.
- Overall class management – including timing of models and working as an intermediary between the class, instructor and model(s).
- Maintain a safe, punctual and efficient work environment.
- Contributing to discussions and critiques in tandem with instructor.
Please note that additional services will vary according to the demands of individual instructors and the curriculum. TA’s will not participate in student assessment or grading which is the sole responsibility of the instructor. TA’s may not apply for or be assigned to classes in which they may have a conflict of interest. TA’s must participate in Title IX and other sensitivity training. Alumni Teaching Assistant candidates, or instructors interested in working with a specific individual, may present their request to the Director of Students Services.
WHY YOU SHOULD APPLY
Participation in the PGTA program affords alumni firsthand insight into the teaching methods of seasoned veterans of the Academy and the opportunity to teach uninstructed sessions. This credential alone vastly improves the likelihood of securing a teaching position in the future. – Peter Drake, Provost
Being a Teaching Assistant gave me very valuable experiences about being on the other side of the lecture podium and the process of teaching. It also looks good on the resume – Shawn Yu, MFA 2011.
I attended the New York Academy of Art to not only improve and grow as an Artist, but also with the end goal being to become a well-rounded instructor in my field. I found the PGTA program indispensable to that end, mostly because it not only afforded me time in the studio setting as a TA and not as a student, but also because it allowed for the study of how the material was being passed on, which is something that is easy to miss when you’re trying to learn the material as a student. I strongly encourage anybody who is interested in becoming an instructor to take advantage of what the PGTA program has to offer. –Evan Kitson, MFA 2012
EMPLOYMENT DETAILS
- Compensation: Starts at $16/hr.
- Requirements: Must have a Tax ID, work authorization, and Social Security Number.
- Application Restriction: Applicants without the required documents should not apply.
- Payment Method: Compensation is processed via W-2 and paid bi-weekly. Taxes will be deducted as required.
- Benefits: Please note that no full-time benefits are available for this position.
For more information, contact: student.services@student.nyaa.edu.
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SURP Teaching Program
The SURP Teaching Program provides rising second years with valuable teaching assistantships and recently graduated students with faculty positions in the SURP program. Additionally, the program provides successful applicants with a significant CV credential, knowledge of syllabus and lesson plan development and the opportunity to document a body of student work for future pedagogical applications.
For the participants of SURP, having instructors from the MFA program gives them insight into what it’s like to be a student at the Academy.