Community Specialist - Art (Brooklyn/Staten Island)

We are currently seeking a full-time Community Art Specialist to support our day programs in Brooklyn and Staten Island. Our programs support adults with developmental disabilities. This is a Monday-Friday, 9AM-4:30PM opportunity.

Why Join ADAPT?

It's more than a job; it's a calling. It's where passion meets purpose. ADAPT Community Network, formerly United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of NYC provides a multitude of services to people with developmental disabilities. At ADAPT, we are 3,000 strong, and it takes every one of us to empower the lives of the people we support. With caring and great resources at hand, we know what it takes to help people live fuller, happier, healthier lives. Our employees show their commitment to the people we support every day, and we all deliver on our promise to provide innovative and comprehensive services to individuals with developmental disabilities.

For your next career move, apply with us at ADAPT Community Network! Wherever you work among our many locations around New York City, ADAPT offers paid training, competitive benefits, and we foster a team culture of learning, support, collaboration and career growth.

SUMMARY

The Community Specialist – Art is responsible for developing and facilitating engaging, person-centered art programming for individuals supported across Day Habilitation and community-based settings. This role promotes creative expression, skill development, and community inclusion through art instruction, exposure to museums and galleries, and opportunities for showcasing work. The specialist collaborates with interdisciplinary teams to enhance quality of life and ensure meaningful participation aligned with individual goals and interests.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties and responsibilities of the Community Specialist – Art will include but are not limited to the following:

• Design and deliver inclusive art programming, including instruction in a variety of art techniques and styles.
• Facilitate both group and individual art sessions across multiple program sites and community-based locations.
• Provide education on art history, genres, and current trends in an accessible and engaging format.
• Submits artwork and related paperwork for inclusion in art contests and community gallery shows.
• Identifies community arts and cultural organizations to collaborate with, and venues for potentially showcasing artwork created by artists.
• Assist individuals in identifying and accessing community-based opportunities to perform and share their work.
• Develop promotional materials (e.g., flyers, digital content) to highlight events and opportunities.
• Partner with program leadership to coordinate logistics, including staffing and transportation for community activities such as museum and gallery tours, art shows, and classes.
• Maintain a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment that upholds the dignity, privacy, and confidentiality of all individuals supported.
• Ensure compliance with agency policies, including universal precautions and safety procedures.
• Monitor inventory and purchase supplies in accordance with agency guidelines.
• Provide guidance and support to Direct Support Professionals during programming and community outings.
• Stay current with developments in art, adaptive technology, and best practices in creative arts programming.
• Participate in staff meetings, trainings, and professional development activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support program and organizational needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• High School Diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree in Art, Art Education, Creative Arts, or related field preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year experience teaching or facilitating art activities, preferably with individuals with developmental disabilities or diverse populations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to engage diverse populations.
• Demonstrated creativity and ability to adapt art instruction to varying ability levels.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple sites and priorities.
• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Commitment to person-centered practices and community inclusion.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment.
• Flexibility to work evenings or weekends as needed for events and performances.
• Ability to travel between program locations.
• Ability to lift, move and position the people we support in beds, wheelchairs, toilets, showers, vans, etc.
• Passion for ADAPT Community Network’s mission and the nonprofit sector.

COMPENSATION: $25.00 - $27.00/hour + Industry-Leading Benefits!

At ADAPT, we value diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging. We strive to ensure that our employees are comfortable bringing their whole, authentic self to work and that the people we support can also be their authentic selves. We value diverse backgrounds, opinions, ideas, and ways of thinking. We aim to build an inclusive and diverse workforce that is empowered and supported with leaders who create diverse and inclusive teams. We continuously seek opportunities for the organization to foster a more positive, respected, united, and collaborative culture.

ADAPT Community Network is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and is committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. Qualified candidates of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds and status are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.