Summer/Fall 2027

The Denver Art Museum (DAM) seeks creative educators to develop and instruct Creative Classes for adult audiences for the Summer/Fall 2027 semester. Both experimental and traditional approaches that speak to the breadth of creative practice may be explored—to widen and ignite the creative perspective of DAM visitors and develop connections with exhibitions and collections. As access to exhibitions and galleries are a unique component of classes at the DAM, it is required that educators connect their classes to artwork on view and plan visits into the galleries during class sessions. 

Current Creative Classes include topics such as: meditation and painting, drawing, non-traditional weaving techniques, collage, wet felting, and papermaking. Our motto is “everyone is creative”, and we work to create a class schedule and class content that will spark the interest of a wide audience with both traditional approaches and mediums as well as non-traditional and experimental classes.

We are open to all creative pursuits in the Visual Arts that can educate an adult audience in learning new techniques and developing a deeper understanding of creative practice. For Summer/Fall 2027 we are specifically interested in the following focuses (among others!) to round out our offerings:

 

Latin American art practices; practices and content focused on identity; content focused on image and meaning; figure drawing

Educators will be expected to:

• Develop adult-focused course/workshop curriculum in collaboration with DAM staff.
  
  • Highlight their own creative expertise and practice.
  • Connect course content to DAM exhibitions and/or collections.
  • Take students into the galleries for real time viewing and discussion of artworks.
  • Utilize media appropriate for available facilities and equipment.
• Provide a detailed materials list with website links.
• Complete the contracted hours and instruct each class/workshop session as scheduled.
• New educators must attend a teacher training session.
• Provide a biography, headshot, and high-resolution images of personal or student work for promotional purposes.
• Complete a feedback form to help the DAM evaluate and further develop the program.

The DAM will provide:

•  Classroom/workshop facilities and equipment
  • All classes are held in the DAM's Bartlit Learning & Engagement Center. The Ruby Red Workshop and Sky Blue Workshop are meant for artmaking. The workshops are stocked with limited studio art equipment and basic teacher supplies. You are welcome to create a mess as long as it can be cleaned up by the end of the class session. Please avoid processes that require use of toxic materials. (Contact mdebakker@denverartmuseum.org with questions regarding materials usage or equipment in the workshop space.)
• Student materials OR supply list
  • 6-week & 4-week classes: Students will purchase all their own materials. DAM will provide students with a materials list with items specified by the artist educator. The DAM partners with Meininger Art Supply to offer class kits for accessible, local shopping.
  • 2-week classes & 1-day workshops: The DAM will purchase all student materials. An additional materials studio fee will be added to the price of the class for students at a rate of $30/60/90 dependent upon cost of materials.
• Online registration and check-in
  • DAM staff will create and manage the online registration system for all classes/workshops, and will assist with checking-in students at class time. A roster of students will be provided to educators following the close of online registration for each course.
• Access to galleries and exhibitions
  • All educators will have access to the galleries and exhibitions included in general admission. Educators are expected to take their students to view artworks within the museum during class time for inspiration, historical context, and technical examples. To access a ticketed exhibition, an additional fee will be included in the student Studio Fee.
• Promotional materials
  • The DAM will create a course catalog and other promotional materials. Our Communications and Marketing teams will also schedule social media posts and website updates for advertisement.

Qualifications:

• Currently active creative/artistic practice in Colorado
• Desire to share your creative expertise with others
• Experience teaching a wide age range of adults
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field OR equivalent experience

 

*The museum serves as a platform for creative expression and community well-being by collecting and presenting work by artists from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences, including those communities that have been historically underrepresented in museums. We give space to a wide range of artist voices by sharing the work of and collaborating with artists and creatives from all races, backgrounds, and identities.

 In order to do this, we aim to create a working environment where creatives are included from the beginning as essential collaborators and empowered to show up as their full selves in those collaborations. It is our intention to work with a wide range of creatives in the development of our programs and spaces. We strive not only to maintain relationships, but also to spread connections and opportunities across the creative community.*

Upload a Word document or PDF with the following information:

• A brief description of the course or workshop you would like to teach. Include information regarding media and necessary equipment.
  • Note the duration of the class (4-week, 6-week, 2-week, or 1-day workshop).
  • You may propose more than one class or workshop.
• How your class/workshop will connect to DAM collections and exhibitions. What galleries/collections will students view? See the DAM website for upcoming exhibitions and current collections.
  • Note that your connection to work in the DAM collections does not need to be purely academic in nature, no need to feel like you’re giving a tour or lecturing. The connection can be based on content, technique, medium, color study, etc.
• The impact this class will have on students. What do you want students to get out of the class?
• Provide a full materials list for each course or workshop you are proposing.
  • 6-week & 4-week classes: provide a dollar range that students can expect to pay for materials, i.e. $50-100.
  • 2-week & 1-day workshops: choose a studio fee to cover materials for each student, $30/60/90.
• A copy of your current Resume/CV.
• Link to your creative website.
• Contact information for two professional references who can speak to your expertise as a creative and educator.

 

Things to consider in your class proposal:

Easy entry points: Your students will largely be at a beginner level. We look for content that has easy entry points for beginners, but also room to expand for experienced students.

Wide age range: While DAM audiences lean toward older adults, you can expect students to have a wide age range. We look for classes and teachers that can accommodate this variety (16-96), as we work to have a greater diversity of ages in classes.

Museum connection: It is required that educators connect their class content with exhibitions and/or galleries at the museum. A free admission code will be given to teachers to allow them to visit the museum any time during business hours.

Materials for students:

• 6-week & 4-week classes: Lean into materials that are more easily accessible for the general public and can be found at most art stores. You will be asked to provide a dollar range for materials that the average student can expect. The high end of this range should not exceed $100. The DAM partners with Meininger Art Supply for materials kits and local shopping options for students.
• 2-week & 1-day workshops: The DAM will purchase all class materials and provide individual packets to each student. Most of our materials are purchased via Blick and Amazon. You will be asked to choose the appropriate studio fee for your workshop: $30, $60, or $90.

Materials restrictions: While we can accommodate most materials, ventilation is still a challenge. Please consider materials and techniques that require little ventilation.

Onsite: Creative Classes are held onsite at the DAM. As of now, our program cannot accommodate classes that are held in alternative locations or are field trip based.

Summer/Fall 2027

Creative Classes will be scheduled during the following periods of time for the Summer/Fall 2027 semester. Total number of classes for the semester schedule to be determined at a later date.

Classrooms are reserved for 30 minutes prior to the start time of each class/workshop. Creative Classes teachers are paid at a rate of $30-32/hour (dependent on experience) for time instructing the class, developing the curriculum, and class prep.

Compensation:

• 6-week class, $1185-$1376 dependent on experience
• 4-week class, $810-865 dependent on experience
• 2-week class, $640-672 dependent on experience
• 1-day workshop, $420-450 dependent on experience

*If a class is cancelled due to low registration, the DAM will pay the teacher 1/3 of the contracted honorarium.

Please select all dates/times that you are available to teach your class below.

• Request for Proposal due: November 15, 2026 (11:59 pm MST)

• Review of proposals: November 16 – 20, 2026

• Virtual interviews: December 8 & 9, 2026

• Selected teachers notified: December 11, 2026

• Class schedule finalized: December 14 – 17, 2026

• Contracts sent to teachers: December 18, 2026

• Signed contracts due: January 15, 2027

• Syllabus and promotional information due from teachers: January 22, 2027

• Summer/Fall 2027 semester registration open: beginning of May 2027

• Classes begin: August 2027

Questions?

Contact Mia DeBakker, Creative & Public Engagement Coordinator

mdebakker@denverartmuseum.org