Writer needed to assist with "We Are Richfield - A Community Art Project"

Job Titles: 
Photographer (1-2 positions)
Writer (1-2 positions)
Teaching Artist (1 position)

Position Type:
Contract/freelance (1099 issued)

Hourly wage range: 
$35 - $50/hr, commensurate with experience

Dates of project: 
June – August 2020, with an exhibit opening and reception in October

How to apply:
Please e-mail a statement of interest, resume, 2-3 references, and a portfolio or examples of your work to [email protected] by 8:00 a.m. on Monday, March 30th.

If you have any questions, feel free to call the library at 612-543-6200 and ask for Alison or Amanda.

About the project:
The Augsburg Park Library in Richfield is hiring a photographer, a writer, and a teaching artist to assist with a city-wide community art project during the summer of 2020, funded by a Legacy grant from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. We want the residents of Richfield to share personal stories through art. The library will host several programs at various places in the city where participants will create or demonstrate a form of art (such as quilt squares for a community quilt, self-portraits, family recipes, or music and/or dance) and then share a story behind their work.

A photographer will document these programs and the resulting photos will be displayed in the library and other city venues along with the community art. The photos will also be included in a book about the project. A writer will assist participants in telling a short story about their creation, and these stories will also be included in the book. A celebratory reception and exhibit will take place at the library in the fall.

Our ultimate hope for this project is that folks from diverse groups will bond over similarities, thereby strengthening the community of Richfield and making it an even more welcoming place to live.

Job descriptions:
We are hiring for the following positions:

One or two photographers to document the programs and take pictures of participants with their finished works. One photographer will need to be present at each of the workshops, which will take place on various days at various locations within Richfield so that they are accessible to as many residents as possible. The photographer(s) will be responsible for giving digital copies of the photos to library contacts in a timely manner. Due to the candid nature of this project, we do not require heavy editing and, in fact, prefer the raw aesthetic of street photography. The photographer(s) should feel comfortable making small talk with people as they work. Anticipated time commitment – a total of 40 – 50 hours of work (including editing.)

One or two writers to assist participants in telling the story behind their art – why they created their piece the way they did and what it represents. One writer will need to be present at each of the workshops, which will take place on various days at various locations within Richfield so that they are accessible to as many residents as possible. The writer(s) will be responsible for helping participants articulate their thoughts, capture them on paper, and provide the stories to library contacts. The writer(s) should be comfortable using a variety of writing styles in order to feature the personalities of each participant. Anticipated time commitment – a total of 20 hours of work.

One teaching artist with painting and/or drawing experience and the ability to guide participants through the process of creating a painted or drawn self-portrait over the course of a 2-3 hour workshop. We plan to host two or three workshops over the course of the summer at various locations in Richfield. The teaching artist will be responsible for leading the workshop, encouraging participants to reflect on what they want to convey in their self-portrait, and then help them manifest that desire onto the canvas. Anticipated time commitment – 6-8 hours of work.

Qualifications:

• experience with the medium related to the position for which they are applying (all applicants)
• experience in leading writing or art workshops to a variety of ages (writer and teaching artist applicants)
• flexible availability (some days, evenings, and weekends) in June – August 2020
• cultural competency to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• dependable, strong organizational skills, timeliness, and reliable transportation
• experience working with the public and/or community art projects (preferred)
• Richfield residency or other connection to Richfield (preferred)
• members of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color or LGBTQIA+ communities encouraged to apply