Art Cart Leader – Summer 2025
Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) is Madison’s public recreation provider. MSCR offers a wide variety of athletic, recreational, arts and enrichment activities and classes for all ages in an accessible, inclusive setting. Programs include swimming instruction, MSCR on the Move, arts & enrichment classes, youth summer camps, sports camps & clinics, adult & 50+ fitness, adult sport leagues including pickleball, softball and tennis, and a wide variety of outdoor pursuits including paddling sports, pontoon trips, camping, orienteering and challenge courses.
As a department of the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD), MSCR also provides afterschool enrichment activities, clubs and sports as well as summer programming in Madison elementary, middle and high schools, Allied Learning Center and Meadowood Neighborhood Center. Afterschool clubs and sports include: arts & enrichment, homework/academic clubs, drama, dance, skiing, soccer, basketball, volleyball, cross country and much more!
Program Description:
Art Cart, a traveling art program, was founded by MMoCA’s Art League in the early 1970s with the vision of bringing art and art experiences to children throughout Madison. Since 1975, Art Cart has been a collaboration between the MMoCA and MSCR. MMoCA and MSCR maintain Art Cart as a free public program benefiting a broad range of Madison neighborhoods. Art Cart brings a lively spirit and participatory art experiences to Madison children who may otherwise not have access to such opportunities. In Madison, Art Cart travels to two parks per day, Monday through Friday, from mid-June to mid-August.
Job Description and Duties:
Looking for an engaging, creative individual to complete our Art Cart team! Candidates must have formal experience or training in visual art, as well as lesson planning and facilitating art projects. Work with your co-leader to provide creative, outdoor art-making experiences for young children and their families. Utilize the outdoor nature of the program as an impetus for conceiving art activities, encourage the creative use of materials, especially found and recycled materials. Make art accessible to all Madison families throughout the summer by driving the Art Cart to two parks per day M-F. Candidates must be flexible as they will be outside for the vast majority of this position. They must have the ability to adapt art projects to a wide range of conditions, both in terms of participants and of external conditions.
Responsibilities:
- Drive 15 passenger van to up to 10 Madison parks each week
- Collaborate with co-leader to plan and implement daily projects which are in line with the Art Cart philosophy and purpose. Predetermined are Friday afternoon plaster casting at beaches; painting of the Vilas Park shoe slide. Design projects to include both large group, collaborative and individual projects.
- Assemble and organize supplies, finding recycled materials, and soliciting donated supplies; follow approved purchasing procedures.
- Maintain Art Cart vehicle during season: keep gas levels up, park in safe areas, report any malfunctions to supervisor immediately.
- Be flexible in adapting projects to large ranges of ages, including pre-schoolers through middle school age children.
- Adapt to weather conditions, varying interest levels and time spent on projects, and unpredictable numbers of participants.
- Maintain daily records of attendance and other data
- Pre-season inventory and post-season, clean truck and re-store leftover materials.
- Maintain professional and appropriate attitudes, attire and behaviors at all times; observe all MMSD and MSCR and MMoCA policies and procedures.
- Create an encouraging, inclusive environment – all are welcome!
Program Dates:
- Mandatory staff training will be scheduled in May/June based on staff availability
- Regular Art Cart schedule runs 6/16-8/13, M-F
- Pre-season and weekend events 5/10, 6/7, 6/12, 6/14 or 6/21, 7/27, 8/10
Location:
Various parks in Madison
- Locations Varies
- Start Date 05/12/2025
- End Date 08/22/2025
- Hours a Week:
40 hours / week
- Work Hours:
Monday – Friday, 8:30 am-8 pm depending on the day (one day will be 8:30 am-4:30 pm, the next will be 12:30 pm-8:00 pm generally). Additional somewhat flexible planning hours necessary pre-season.
- Pay Rate:
$17-$23 per hour based on experience
- Minimum Qualifications:
- Must be able to work outside in various weather conditions
- Must be creative and flexible
- Must be outgoing and able to engage with a diverse population ● Must be proven to be reliable and able to work independently
- Educational background in visual arts
- Minimum of 2 years leading or teaching youth.
- Must be comfortable driving 15 passenger van
- Must have valid driver’s license and clean driving record.
- 2+ years planning experience
- Preferred Qualifications:
- Past experience working with diverse populations preferred.
- Ability to speak Spanish a plus.
- experience planning projects for small and large groups
- 2+ years planning experience
- 2+ years demonstrated experience planning creative and engaging art projects with limited supplies
- Other Information:
Only friendly, creative and well-organized applicants should apply. Please upload a current resume and cover letter to your application. Contact (608) 204-3031 or sazahn@madison.k12.wi.us with questions.
If contacted for an interview, applicants must bring a copy of their resume and a sample art activity. Art activity must be adaptable to a wide range of ages and abilities.
