Who We Are
Founded in 1978, Mingei International Museum collects, preserves, and exhibits “art of the world, art of the people,” including folk art, craft, and design from all eras and cultures. Located in San Diego’s iconic Balboa Park, our highly respected Museum offers stunning exhibitions and diverse educational programs to more than 200,000 visitors each year. The Museum is a nonprofit organization.
Mingei has a deep commitment to creating a space where people are inspired to see their own world through new eyes and, in turn, rediscover, embrace and nurture their own creativity. The recently transformed Museum is a place where all are welcome, where the community can gather, and where individuals can rest and find creative inspiration.
At Mingei we strive to offer a memorable and meaningful experience to our audience, and this is only possible with the hard work and dedication of a passionate and creative team. Our commitment to equity, inclusion and accessibility is reflected in the work we do. As an organization that champions “art of the people,” our goal is for the Museum’s staff, board, volunteers and audience to represent diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity and national origin.
Position Summary
Mingei International Museum is seeking a Summer Camp Artist to design and execute one craft-focused weeklong projects that will be repeated twice during Summer at Mingei, Mingei’s summer camp for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. Summer at Mingei is designed to eliminate barriers to participation in the arts by offering weeklong project-based camps free of charge for San Diego Unified School District students. The artist will develop a theme for the program inspired by the museum’s current exhibitions and incorporate professional craft art forms and techniques. The artist will conduct approximately 4 hours of instruction per day for 10 instructional days.
Primary Responsibilities
Develop a unique, engaging theme for the session that aligns with the exhibitions on view.
Design and lead one craft-based art project inspired by the chosen theme.
Foster a supportive and inclusive learning environment for students ages 8-11.
Guide students through various artistic techniques and project development during the week.
Collaborate with Mingei staff to ensure smooth daily operations.
Assist with the planning and execution of the student art show.
Participate in a mandatory training session for camp staff (June 30 - July 3, approx. 2 hours).
Qualifications
Strong background in craft-based art techniques and hands-on project facilitation.
Ability to develop an engaging, thematic curriculum inspired by museum exhibitions.
Classroom management skills and the ability to foster a positive learning environment.
Strong organizational and time management skills to structure daily lessons effectively.
Ability to adapt teaching methods to accommodate various learning styles and skill levels.
Strong communication and collaboration skills to work with museum staff, students, and caregivers.
Schedule and Salary
Summer at Mingei lasts for two weeks, from July 7th to July 18th, running Monday to Friday. The job hours are 4 hours each day: 10 AM - 3 PM, with a 1-hour lunch break between 12 PM - 1 PM. Before camp starts, a training for camp staff will take place between June 30 - July 3 for about 2 hours. This is a contract position with total compensation of $3,000.