Specialty Arts Instructor (Fall 2026)

Job Summary

Our team is seeking Specialty Arts Instructors for specialized arts programs. The successful candidate will be responsible for the instruction of a comprehensive specialty arts program(s) as outlined by the City of Mississauga to meet the needs of participants and to ensure adequate safety while facilitating the activity.

Under the direction and supervision of the Program Supervisor, this position supports the delivery of specialized arts programs to children, youth, families and/or adults in one or more mediums: 

• Woodworking (furniture design, fine woodworking, carving, cabinetry, butcher’s block, wood sculpting)
• Glass (glass blowing, flame-working, fused, cast glass, stained glass)
• Jewellery  (silver-soldering, saw cutting and piercing, metalworking and finishing, gemstones,“cold” jewellery making - wire, chain bead and stone working)
• Ceramics (hand-building techniques, glazing and finishing techniques, wheel throwing, Raku clay throwing and firing processes)

Duties and Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of specialized arts program(s) for children, youth, families and/or adults including demonstrations of proper techniques, use of materials and equipment and coaching of participants in the completion of high quality artwork or functional products.
• Prepare and deliver lesson plans in the arts in a manner appropriate to the audience.
• Work with groups of up to 15 participants.
• Orient and monitor participants and class activities to comply with the security, health and safety and studio policies and operating procedures.
• Train, test, monitor and oversee participant’s knowledge and use of materials, tools and equipment including but not limited to:
  Woodworking - the use of personal protective equipment, power and hand tools, wood handling, sculpting tools and knives and dust collection. 
  Ceramics - wheels, rollers, hand tools, glazes and finishing tools and Raku kilns. 
  Glass - the use of personal protective equipment, glass and gas handling, cold working and hot glassblowing tools and procedures, annealers, kilns, gas equipment and tools, glass cutting, fitting and finishing processes and monitors for proper procedures.
  Jewellery - the use of personal protective equipment, tumbler, rolling mill, saw, hammer, soldering, annealing and model making.
• Support the finishing of participants’ work due to course time considerations and/or experience as required.
• Work as part of an instructional team including co-instructors and assistant instructors as required.
• Initiate studio preparation and clean-up of materials, equipment and studio environment consistent with accepted standards and procedures. For Glass this also includes turning on/off the glory holes, charging furnace as required, preparing gas tanks and fittings, within accepted standards and operating procedures. For Woodworking this also includes emptying the dust collector as per the studio schedule. For Ceramic Instructors, liaise with Ceramic technician for ceramic firing and glazing requirements for program delivery including preparing firing requisitions.
• Communicate in an effective and timely manner in writing or voicemail with the Program Supervisor all aspects related to facilities, staffing, participants, equipment, supplies or anything that would impact the quality and safe delivery of the program.
• Complete facility program safety checks before each program starts and report any concerns to the Supervisor.
• Responsible for the safety and well-being of all registered participants throughout the program.
• Policy and procedure adherence and provide quality customer service and information to participants and other staff.
• Advise program supervisor of any difficulties with participants regarding behaviour, registration, class lists, program content or any other related issues.
• Studio and equipment management, including ensuring program materials have been cleaned and properly put away as required at the conclusion of each program.
• Incorporate and model the HIGH FIVE® Principles of Healthy Child Development in program delivery where appropriate. Perform other related duties as required.
• Note: Hours are not guaranteed. Hours are dependent on sufficient program registration

Skills and Qualifications

• Post-Secondary Education / Training or equivalent in Ceramics, Glass, Jewellery and/or Woodworking.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience working in Ceramics, Jewellery, Glass and/or Woodworking as well as the techniques, materials and practices for instructing in those media/subjects.

• Working knowledge of and experience in a studio environment including equipment, materials as well as health and safety practices relevant to specific art genre.
• Knowledge of and experience in teaching
• Ability to develop lesson plans with emphasis on skill development in the completion of high-quality projects.
• Must be confident teaching various age groups and skill levels.
• Practicing artist in craft or artistic medium an asset.
• Must hold by employment start date:
  • A valid and current Basic First Aid or Emergency First Aid with CPR C & AED from a recognized WSIB-provider at the employee’s expense.
  • HIGH FIVE® Principles of Healthy Child Development certification at the employee's own expense.
• A Vulnerable Sector Check (Level 3) will be required of the successful candidate, at their own expense, to verify the absence of a criminal record for which a pardon has not been granted.
• Minimum 16 years of age or older at the start of the employment.