Continuing Education, Pre-College Online Painting Instructor

CE Overview

RISD Continuing Education functions within the larger context of RISD, an institution with an unparalleled reputation for producing highly-skilled, successful, and internationally renowned creative practitioners. With more than 100 years of expertise nurturing critical making, thinking, and innovation in art and design we facilitate personal and professional development by engaging students in sustained exploration and learning in the creative disciplines. With a commitment to centering inclusivity, diversity and equity in executing key responsibilities, RISD Continuing Education instructors plan, organize, teach, and provide feedback to promote and direct student learning in keeping with the institutional learning-centered values and in a manner that meets essential competencies of artists and designers.

Pre-College Online Program Overview

RISD Pre-College Online is a summer art and design intensive which offers collegiate-level courses for students in grades 10–12 (or the equivalent). Students from around the world join online studio classes led by accomplished professional artists. With a commitment of two days of classes each week and flexibility to complete their assignments, students can have time to work or pursue other interests while developing skills, building a portfolio, and preparing to study art or design in college.

RISD's Pre-College Online curriculum places a strong emphasis on foundation work that builds critical thinking and making skills. We accept students regardless of their previous training, and as a result each class has students with a range of abilities. Pre-College Online students receive support with their college plans by consulting with their instructors and teaching assistants on college and career options, and they are able to attend portfolio reviews hosted by RISD Admissions. 

Job Description

RISD CE seeks a Painting instructor for summer of 2026. We welcome teaching artists of all backgrounds with ongoing studio practices and demonstrated achievements of high caliber results in their students’ work. 

Pre-College Online instructors are passionate about art and design and can nurture the interest of their students. They are approachable but maintain high expectations and are invested in their students’ success. They vary their approach using lectures, demonstrations, and more. Our instructors are plugged into the needs and interests of today’s youth, and connect the course content to the students’ lived experience and current events. They are culturally responsive and lead an inclusive learning environment. We are particularly interested in candidates whose pedagogical approach and personal studio practice can resonate with our diverse student body.

RISD Pre-College Online courses meet once per week for three-hour live sessions over five weeks. Students also have online access to their course during orientation week, for a total program duration of six weeks. Online sessions will include demonstrations, presentations, and group discussions. Instructors will prepare their courses in time for orientation week, and will facilitate the five-week course live and asynchronously.The successful candidate should be prepared to teach asynchronous online to a diverse group of students from a range of disciplines, through online content development, including recorded video demonstrations and/or lectures. For this position, we seek a candidate that can instruct the principles of painting, using acrylic paint and teaching a variety of subject matter ranging from still lifes to landscapes. Knowledge of a variety of painting techniques and color theory is a must. Our ideal candidate will be able to inspire student’s conceptual development and individual voice in addition to teaching technical skills.

Required Knowledge/Skills/Experience

• Bachelor's degree 

• Teaching experience in a collegiate and/or high school setting

• Ability to meet