Division or Department: Visual Arts Department 

Discipline: 2D- Drawing and painting

Level or Grade : Secondary Education

Position or Type (hrs) : .6 FTE

Reports to : Chair of Visual Arts

Salary / Pay range : Commensurate with experience

Start date: August 4, 2025

The position will remain open until filled.

General Position Description: 

The ideal candidate is an accomplished 2D/Visual Arts Educator with an aptitude to design and facilitate pre-professional training for high school students with advanced creative talents. Has the ability to partner with students and parents of all social and economic backgrounds to successfully meet or exceed program objectives. Demonstrates an innovative, creative spirit that is willing to go the extra mile and has imagination, vision, and deep-rooted passion for spanning traditional boundaries among arts and academic disciplines.  Has an enthusiasm for working in a dynamic, fast-paced environment that is characterized by continuous growth. Fully supports NOCCA’s vision of prioritizing an emphasis on the arts as well as academics with the intent of placing students in top colleges and conservatory programs within the country with multiple scholarships and grants as much as possible.

The 2-D program begins with a strong foundation in translating the 3-D (“real”) world onto the 2-D page. In the Level I program, students hone their observational skills– learning to look carefully and discern relationships between components of what they see (ratios, angles, positive/negative space relationships). They also learn compositional strategies and to effectively use and care for art making materials– a variety of dry media (drawing) and wet media (painting). Level II scaffolds upon these technical skills but focuses on students' development of conceptual artwork– art that expresses individual voice and raises/answers big questions. Artist statements are created to accompany artwork. The Level III program continues the conceptual focus and development of a personal artistic practice begun in Level II. In all Levels, the artwork of Contemporary and Art Historical artists is used to introduce projects, and to expand student awareness of art that has been, and is being, created.

Performance Standards

We aspire to create an educational community that nurtures and challenges young people to become more curious, kind, empathetic, engaged, and willing to grapple with complex problems in order to create a just, sustainable, and joyful world. 

We expect faculty to:

• Collaborate with your peers/faculty to provide world-class, pre-professional arts education

• Lead by example, acting with decency, honesty, and regard for the NOCCA community

• Help promote a safe and equitable environment for the NOCCA community

• Practice and encourage accountability for students and peers

Faculty at NOCCA are expected to introduce students to a particular discipline with the serious assumption that students will participate in that discipline in the future. NOCCA does not follow a traditional education model as 

such, but rather an initiation model. An initiation model is a powerful one – it forms the foundation for the seriousness and respect present in faculty/student and peer relationships, which in turn provides a sense of safety for all, extending the degree to which students can be pushed to both understand and produce their best work.

Job Duties:

• Collaborate with the Department Chair and faculty to create a comprehensive departmental work schedule. 

• Set individual course objectives, plan and organize lessons based on technique specific skills and materials used based on benchmarks set by the department for student Levels I-IV, and teach as scheduled.

• Creates a learning community using the NOCCA DNA that encourages positive social interaction, active engagement, professional commitment, life-long skills, and self-regulation for every student.

• Develops and implements classroom procedures and routines that support high expectations and values for achieving success in the arts.

• Engage students in rigorous classroom activities, ensuring that students are actively on task.

• Provide clear assessment and feedback for students to nurture and encourage consistent growth.

• Monitor student progress for improvement and award grades following the established policies.

• Collaborates with other faculty in support of curricula improvement to promote students' success and mastery of course and program competencies, i.e. student performances, review & feedback, workshops/auditions.

• Facilitate the development of positive and respectful student-teacher, teacher-teacher, sand tudent-student relationships.

• Ensure students adhere to school protocol - reinforce positive behavior, and address negative behaviors. 

• Assist in monitoring hallways/restrooms as assigned.

• Maintain student accountability and facilitate students’ development of a strong work ethic. 

• Mentor students and assist with external field trips, contests, audition preparation, and letters of recommendation.

• Collaborate with students, parents, and counselors for successful program completion and life after NOCCA.

• Assist with the production and preparation of student portfolios and exhibitions (both inside and outside of school).

• Attend/Facilitate/Supervise NOCCA events - Orientation, Open Studio, Auditions, Grade Nights, Parent/Teacher Conferences, Senior Saturday, Homecoming Events, Graduation, Celebrations, Parent Night, Student Shows and Presentations, and Professional Development days.

• Help foster community relationships - higher education institutions, non-profit, business, and industry partners.

• Participate in and contribute to weekly departmental meetings and bi-weekly committee meetings.  

• Works within department constraints of fiscal matters as appropriate.  

• Participates in professional growth opportunities as both an artist and an instructor and incorporates learning as appropriate.

• Uses instructional time effectively to maximize student achievement.

• Adheres to board policies, school procedures, and contractual obligations.

• Demonstrates professional and ethical conduct as defined by the state law and NOCCA policy.

• Contributes to efforts to achieve school-wide and department-specific goals.

• Demonstrates an understanding of and respect for all learners and faculty/staff.

• Demonstrates consistent leadership in the classroom and commitment to mentorship of the students in the Visual Arts department.

• Performs other relevant responsibilities as requested.

Qualifications:

• Strong background in 2D and Visual Arts.

• The focus in the 2-D program is on solidifying a strong Studio Art Portfolio for submission to universities and art institutes. 

• Specific areas of mastery for this job must include (but is not limited to) strong observational drawing skills, proficiency with additive and subtractive drawing methods, painting (acrylic and oil, studio and plein-air), portraiture (both realistic and expressive), mixed media, and installation.

• Dry media competency such as: graphite, charcoal, oil pastel, and colored pencil.

• Wet media competency such as: acrylic, tempera, and oil paint. 

• Various roles of the 2D faculty include coordination between the other 2D faculty to create cohesion among the various rotating classes and to coordinate the purchasing of needed inventory and supplies.

• A personal and professional commitment to creating an atmosphere of quality instruction.

• A demonstrated history of working effectively with diverse individuals. 

• Ability to communicate well, both orally and in writing. 

• Strong organizational skills and a commitment to excellence.

• Working knowledge of both Contemporary and Historical artwork/artists.

• Knowledge or experience utilizing technology and innovative pedagogy to deliver exceptional teaching and learning desired. 

Education:

• College Degree in discipline with extensive experience, or equivalency in professional work.

• 5 or more years work experience of professional and/ or university/ secondary school BFA or MFA in Visual Arts experience and comparable education, or combination. 

Benefits:

This is a position that includes all benefits afforded to Louisiana state employees including a choice of one of five medical benefit plans with options of additional supplemental insurance plans. Employees receive ample time off surrounding holidays and extended weekends when the school is closed for instruction. 

NOCCA is committed to fostering a fair and inclusive environment with a diverse faculty, staff and student body.  We especially welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please submit CV/ resumé, cover letter, and contact information for three references by filling out this GOOGLE application form .

OR

Mail documents to:

NOCCA - VISUAL ARTS FACULTY

ATTN: Human Resources Department

2800 Chartres Street

New Orleans, LA 70117

The position will remain open until filled.

NOCCA Vision

We believe in the transformative power of the arts. We aspire to create an educational community that nurtures and challenges young people to become more curious, kind, empathetic, engaged, and willing to grapple with complex problems in order to create a just, sustainable, and joyful world.

NOCCA Mission

NOCCA’s mission is to provide a world-class, pre-professional arts education for every young person in Louisiana with the curiosity, creativity, talent and motivation to pursue a life in the arts as they realize the best possible versions of themselves and their futures.