WHO WE ARE:
SkyART is a permanent fixture in the vibrant cultural landscapes of Chicago’s South and West Side communities. Founded in 2001 with a mission to provide youth with an accessible, safe place to participate in quality visual arts programs at no cost, SkyART continues to fulfill its mission by reaching over 3,000 young people a year through our three pillar programs: SkyWAY, Project 3rd Space and Project Impact. Driving our mission is a deep understanding of the transformative power of art and its capacity to enhance intellectual, emotional and social development.
WHO WE SERVE:
The communities where SkyART works and the young people we serve exemplify the resilience and the beautiful diversity of our city. Our free programs are open and accessible to youth from communities that have been impacted by historic marginalization, generational trauma and systemic racism, and who may lack access to cultural programming that affirms their identity and places them front and center as creators of their own futures. The majority of Black and Brown youth we serve are impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) which can negatively impact their ability to be successful in relationships, school, higher education or the workplace. Many are directly impacted by violence, incarceration and/or the foster care system. For all these reasons, SkyART prioritizes the wellbeing and healing of our participants using art as a platform for self exploration, reflection and Social Emotional Learning (SEL).
WHAT WE DO:
Founded by an Art Therapist, SkyART uses art to communicate, to connect and to heal. Through interdisciplinary, process-based projects, skill-building workshops and large-scale collaborations, SkyART encourages critical thinking and inspires creative expression for youth ages 7 to 24. In our studios youth work collaboratively with therapists or teaching artists in an atmosphere of mutual esteem and shared curiosity. SkyART has provided limited art therapy for our entire 20-year history. Building on that experience, during the initial phases of the Coronavirus pandemic in 2020, we formalized our therapeutic programs by creating Project Impact to directly respond to the mental health needs of our young people with individual and group art therapy. We believe and research shows that art making facilitated by a trained therapist can play an instrumental role in improving wellbeing, connection, self-esteem and empathy for others.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide individual and group creative or expressive art therapy sessions to meet organizational outcomes for SkyART participants that are impacted by an array of experiences.
- Collaborate with the SkyART program team to provide SkyART Project Impact therapeutic services to youth in-schools, such as Chicago Public Schools and charter schools, or in-community partner organizations, such as those in our Just-Us detention facilities, family shelters, or other environments.
- Assess participants’ needs, using drawing, music, painting, sculpting, theater, movement or other expressive processes based interventions.
- Conduct creative or expressive art therapy sessions providing guided self-expression experiences to help participants feel an increased sense of wellbeing, connection, improved self-esteem and empathy for others.
- Use SkyART care plan, wellness assessments and case notes to analyze or synthesize narrative and observational data to better support participants with their goals.
- Maintains accurate, complete and timely client records as required by SkyART.
- Establish therapeutic goals or objectives for creative or expressive art therapy sessions in consultation with the Youth Support Manager, Project Impact Coordinator and Project Impact clinical team.
- Request purchase or gather materials for in-studio for sessions.
- Actively participates in SkyART Programs team professional development workshops, Project Impact clinical training and case consultations.
- If skilled, conduct workshops on techniques of using art in therapeutic relationships in Teaching Artists, interns, volunteers and staff or partner organizations.
YOUR BACKGROUND INCLUDES:
- Education/Experience
- Minimum requirement of a Master’s Degree in Art Therapy, Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or another human services related field.
- Minimum of three years of experience providing trauma-focused process-based therapy to young people.
- Demonstrated awareness of multiple cultures and cultural impact on the delivery of service is a must.
- Strong problem solver, detailed-oriented with excellent communication, organizational, interpersonal and writing skills
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with SkyART Programs team and other contractual therapist and teaching artists
- Practicing artists encouraged!
- Bilingual (Spanish/English) strongly preferred
- Certificates/Licenses Required:
- Must be eligible to receive LCPC, LCSW license or PsyD.
- Creative art therapy certification preferred or in the process of acquiring (ATR, MT, DMT, DT, REAT)
WHAT WE OFFER: SkyART offers $35-$75/hour for this part-time and contractual role, based on experience and license.
HOW YOU APPLY:
Please submit a cover letter with your resume by email to Projectimpact@skyart.org with “Creative Art Therapist” in the subject line. Do not mail or fax.
COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION:
SkyART is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.
BIPOC, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ people are strongly encouraged to apply.
If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact our Operations Department at Hr@skyart.org.