We are a community of creative and collaborative people encompassing a range of ages, artistic expressions, and global interests.  Grace Art Camp is dedicated to encouraging awareness of the world through art, culture, and story in a joyful and process-oriented environment.

Each summer, over 115 experienced staff members and volunteers of many ages and  backgrounds contribute to the overall success of Grace Art Camp by fostering an inviting and encouraging environment for children ages 4 1/2 – 12 years old. Positions range from Studio Artists and Camp Counselors to Counselors-in-Training, Volunteers and day-to-day operational and administrative support. If you are interested in volunteering, click here!

Applications for Counselors and Counselors in Training are now closed and assignment weeks are emailed in early thru Mid-April from Amy Gray, Camp Director. Thank you for your patience as this puzzle process takes quite a bit of time.

SUMMER SEASONAL POSITIONS

We begin accepting applications for seasonal summer Counselor positions in February. If you’re interested in working this summer, please be sure to read the descriptions of camp roles below.  These positions are held from late June to mid-August. Assignments are based on expected weekly enrollment and are subject to change at the discretion of Grace Institute.

General Qualifications:
Attend the required and crucial Grace Art Camp orientation and hands-on Training 9am-2:30pm, Saturday, June 17, 2023 (this is paid training for all hired Counselors and lunch is also provided for everyone). There will be additional enhanced training dates/times as that programming is developed in the spring.

Available to work at least 2 consecutive weeks.

Because camp is organized into weekly sessions, attendance for the full week assigned is required unless special permission is granted ahead of time. Please include in your application possible conflicts with the camp schedule.

Have experience caring for younger children, and passion in one or more artistic areas of interest via high school or through other lessons or curriculum.

Communicate directly with Grace Institute hiring staff during the application, training, assignment, and performance process.

Are 16 years of age and older, authorize a background check, and are Covid-19 vaccinated. Health & safety for all our staff are our highest priority.

Counselors and Leadership Support Staff

Grace Art Camp’s Counselor Leadership Program is designed to offer high school and college students opportunities in a collaborative community, building leadership skills in working with younger children and the arts. Successful counselors are energetic, enthusiastic, and willing to learn and contribute to the community. They are paid an hourly rate determined by current minimum wage and incrementally increases with experience.

Please read the position descriptions located at the bottom of the page before downloading the application. Counselor applications received after the March 5, 2023 submittal deadline and March 26, 2023 for CITs, are consideration as staffing needs arise.

Counselors-in-Training (CITs) are volunteers at camp that help guide campers and provide a welcoming atmosphere. Many of the counselors begin as counselors-in-training and are vital to the ongoing training and development of our youth counselor program.  Visit our CIT page here to learn more.

Color Counselors work in teams of 3-4 counselors/CITs and are assigned to a “color group cohort” consisting of ~22 campers of a particular age range. This position allows counselors to form a rapport with the campers in their groups; they are with their color group during drop-off, pick-up, assemblies, and studio rotations. During studio time, color counselors support their group in the specific studio rotation.

The youngest color group is the Orange group (also called POD). This group is unique because it has a home room and different schedule than the other color groups. Counselors and CITs who wish to work with the Orange group should have a desire to work with very young children and possess good techniques for working with 4-5 year olds.

Studio Counselors are assigned to a specific art studio that they work in all week and provide campers with a bridge between the individual studio and the rest of camp. They have previously worked with and are skilled in the medium of their studio. A Studio Counselor’s primary function is to assist the artist leading the studio including prepping materials, helping campers during studio time, and keeping the studio tidy.

Extended Hours Counselors monitor and engage with campers who stay after once the camp day ends. Extended Hours counselors typically work Monday-Friday from 2:30 until 5:00 or 6:00pm. For counselors who wish to work extended hours in addition to a regular week at camp, hours are 3:00 to around 5:30pm but can vary based on your availability and staffing needs.

Security Counselors (ages 18+) are the face of camp, possessing great energy, enthusiasm, related experience, and the ability to engage positively with children and families. Security counselors ensure the safety of campers and the campus facilities, lead and monitor camper recess. This includes ensuring that the camp premises are free of any disturbances, nuisances, or hazardous materials on an ongoing basis; readying the campus each morning and closing the campus down each afternoon. Security counselors possess the ability to be firm and diplomatic with strangers who approach the campus before, during, and after camp hours. Hours run between 38-40 hours per week and may encompass all weeks of camp.

Administrative Assistant works closely with the Registrar and Business Manager to make sure the “behind the scenes” side of camp is running smoothly. Jobs assigned to the Admin Assistant often include registration assistance, copying, making name buttons, data entry, proofing, and other tasks related to the daily and weekly organization of camp. The Admin Assistant usually work up to nine weeks including the weeks before and one week after camp.

Assistant Studio Artist (ASA) is an experienced artist assistant (college-level) in a studio or medium in which they have demonstrated skills and previous work experience. The ASA positions are generally only needed in the Glass, Ceramics or Fibre Arts studios. Please indicate on your application or highlight your resume the qualifications that directly relate to this unique position.

A note on Senior Leadership, Senior and Junior counselor placement:
Junior counselors (ages 16-17) usually work between 2-4 weeks depending on level of experience, past performance evaluations, and camp needs. The starting pay for junior counselors is current minimum wage and goes up with experience for senior counselors and beyond. Senior counselors (ages 17+) are generally seniors in high school and college students who possess strong leadership and mentoring capabilities, and who go above and beyond the needs of camp. Senior counselors are selected based on demonstrated experience and skill, as well as past performance evaluations. Senior counselors are usually selected to work 4-7 weeks of camp. Senior Leadership counselors (ages 18+ and prior experience at GAC) are college students with prior Art Camp experience and who possess strong leadership and mentoring capabilities, and often go above and beyond the needs of camp. Senior and Senior Leadership counselors are often selected to work 5-7 weeks of camp.

JOB DESCRIPTIONS

Professional Artistic Staff

Guest Artists are an essential part of creating the camp community as they generously share their experiences and knowledge of the summer’s cultural focus. Guest artists are welcomed into the life of camp on a regular once-a-week basis by performing or giving a presentation for the entire camp and/or a particular studio. Oftentimes, Guest Artists lead 4- or 5-day studios throughout the whole summer. These positions are sponsored in part through community grants and are commensurate with experience and expertise. Click here for detailed information.

Studio Artists are professional working artists who enjoy and are comfortable sharing their artistic and technical skills with children, ages 5-12. Studio Artists are flexible, energetic, enthusiastic, creative, and able to think on their feet while working with a large mixed aged group of kids at any one time. Studio Artists have a keen ability and interest in global cultural awareness and share their own creative process with others, as well as provide mentoring for our younger developing leaders. Studio Artists must be comfortable leading, be diplomatic, possess excellent communication skills, and present a welcoming presence to all campers, counselors, and fellow staff members. Artists are paid a salary rate commensurate with experience and expertise. Click here for full Job Description.

Grace Art Camp Art Studios typically include Animation Arts, Ceramics & Sculpture, Collage, Drawing & Illustration, Fibre & Textile Arts, Fused & Mosaic Glass, Music & Dance, Paper & Book Arts, Printmaking, Theatre, T-Shirt Design, and more depending on what individual artists may bring from their own skills, culturally specific art processes, and areas of expertise.

Storytellers help set the tone each day during morning assemblies through the sharing of the week’s story–alongside the daily ritual of singing songs. Storytellers may have other artistic areas of interest and sometimes lead a studio during the week. “The role of the storyteller is to awaken the storyteller in others.”   –Jack Zipes

For more information about the above positions, please contact our Camp Director Amy Gray via e-mail at amyg@grace-institute.org or call 503.331.8155 X101. Thank you for your interest in working at Grace Art Camp!

Statement of Non-Discrimination
Grace Institute does not discriminate in its programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, socioeconomic status, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, military or veteran status, and any other marginalized characteristics protected under applicable federal, state or local law.