Join our Team!

The Iowa Ceramics Center and Glass Studio, established in 1976, is a dynamic nonprofit organization committed to fostering creativity, education, and community through ceramic and glass arts. Located in the historic Cherry Building in the NewBo Cultural District of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  We offer 11,000 square foot state-of-the-art facilities and diverse programs, including classes, workshops, summer camps, artist-in-residence program, and mobile outreach initiatives. Serving 25,000 individuals annually, we engage with underserved communities, schools, support emerging artists, and create meaningful connections through creativity. As an integral part of the Cultural Corridor, the Center is a committed to sustaining our mission through earned income, grants, donations, and community partnerships.  Our Summer Camp program is a well defined and staple program of the center, with over 15 years of summer programming for kids.

Position Summary

The Summer Camp Head Instructor is a seasonal leadership role responsible for conducting daily instruction, customer service, studio operations, and intern supervision for our established summer camp program. 

This position runs Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM (with a break from 11:30-12:30) for the full duration of the summer.  This position is ideal for an educator with a strong art/ceramics background who thrives in a hands-on studio environment working with kids in groups of 12 or less.

In addition to leading instruction and studio processes, this role plays a key part in building trust with parents and guardians, helping ensure strong camper retention and repeat enrollment throughout the summer.

The Head Instructor serves as coordinator with Summer Camp interns. Serving as a key partnership working classroom to deliver a high-quality and enjoyable camp experience. This position includes five paid days, prior to camp, to set up classroom, training, reviewing curriculum, aligning on program goals, and discussing expectations with the Program Director and Intern team.

Core Responsibilities:

Instruction & Classroom Leadership

• Lead daily ceramics instruction for youth camps

• Plan, adapt, and deliver engaging, age-appropriate lessons

• Demonstrate techniques clearly and safely

• Maintain a positive, inclusive, and well-managed classroom environment

• Set the tone for professionalism, creativity, and care in the studio

• Instruction should balance clarity, patience, and efficiency, ensuring campers feel successful while maintaining a smooth classroom flow

Camper & Family Relationships

• Serve as a visible, approachable presence for parents and guardians during drop off and pick up

• Communicate confidently and positively about student experiences and progress

• Support enrollment retention by encouraging repeat participation across sessions

• Represent the Center’s Summer Camp programs with warmth, friendliness, professionalism, and enthusiasm

Studio & Technical Responsibilities

• Load, fire, and unload kilns safely and efficiently with coordination with the Studio Manager

• Label, track, and manage student work throughout the firing process

• Mark, organize, and package completed projects by camper and session

• Oversee Summer Camp clay inventory as well as reclaim processes, and material use

• Maintain clean, organized, and functional studio space

Communication & Escalation Protocols

• Communicate any camper-related concerns (including behavioral challenges, illness, injury, or safety issues) directly to Program Director

• Work collaboratively with Program Director to determine appropriate next steps with weekly check ins on expectations and program numbers

Intern Mentorship

• Mentor 3-4 High School Interns as your assistants in class by delegating daily tasks and provide clear expectations

• Support interns in developing teaching, studio, and professional skills

• Communicate staffing needs or concerns to Program Director

Program Operations

• Support daily camp schedules, transitions, and logistics

• Perform setup and cleanup before and after camp sessions

• Ensure all safety protocols are followed

• Serve as a consistent on-site leader during camp hours

Cancellations & Program Structure

Please note that camp sessions with fewer than five enrolled students may be canceled at the discretion of the Program Director. In the event of a cancellation, all communication with families and staff will be handled by the Program Director. The lead instructor will not report to the center during any cancellation.

Required Qualifications

• Excellent organization, communication, and time-management skills

• Experience teaching children in a structured educational or camp setting

• Background in ceramics and hands-on studio practices

• Experience with loading, firing, and unloading kilns

• Comfortable working with and delegating tasks to interns 

• Ability to work full-time, Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM for the summer duration

• Ability to lift up to 25 lbs. and stand for extended periods

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in education, art or equivalent professional experience working with children

• Previous experience as a lead instructor or program supervisor

• Familiarity with youth development or experiential learning models

Schedule & Compensation

• Full-time seasonal position (June 1st–August 7th)

• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–4:00 PM

• Compensation: $640/week when full time

• Potential opportunities for future teaching or year-round work as an Instructor

Why Join Us

• Work in a fully equipped ceramics and glass studio with access to summer classes and workshops, and open studio time. 

• Play a key leadership role in mentoring emerging artists and educators

• Be part of a mission-driven non-profit organization that values education and community