Creative Arts Instructor

About Maven TechLab

Maven TechLab is a Vancouver-based education company delivering hands-on STEM, coding, robotics, AI exploration, maker, and creative arts programs for children ages 5–13.

We partner with schools and community organizations across Vancouver to deliver after-school enrichment programs and seasonal camps during Winter, Spring, and Summer.

Our programs are designed to encourage creativity, curiosity, problem-solving, and hands-on learning.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Creative Arts & Cultural Crafts Instructor who is passionate about visual arts, handcrafts, and creative education and enjoys working with children in a hands-on learning environment.

This role is ideal for someone who is confident leading small groups of children, developing engaging art projects, and introducing students to a variety of artistic techniques, materials, and cultural craft traditions.

We are especially interested in candidates with knowledge or experience in traditional Chinese arts and crafts, including Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage (中国非物质文化遗产 / 非遗) crafts, who can help us incorporate meaningful cultural art experiences into our creative arts curriculum.

Examples may include traditional paper cutting, Chinese knotting, lantern making, weaving, clay arts, printmaking, folk painting, shadow puppetry, traditional decorative arts, or other culturally significant handcraft techniques.

Responsibilities

• Teach after-school and camp-based visual arts, handcraft, and cultural arts programs to small groups of children
• Design and develop age-appropriate creative arts curricula and projects
• Introduce students to a variety of artistic materials, techniques, and creative processes
• Where appropriate, incorporate traditional arts, cultural crafts, and heritage-inspired projects into the curriculum
• Plan and prepare lessons, including materials, tools, demonstrations, and activity flow
• Create sample projects or prototypes to support lesson delivery
• Deliver engaging and structured lessons while encouraging creativity, experimentation, and self-expression
• Foster a positive, supportive, inclusive, and respectful learning environment
• Adapt activities for different ages, abilities, and learning styles
• Demonstrate foundational art and craft techniques in a clear and child-friendly manner
• Ensure safe and appropriate use of art materials, tools, and equipment
• Manage classroom setup, organization, and cleanup
• Communicate respectfully and proactively with students, parents, school staff, and Maven TechLab team members
• Maintain professionalism, punctuality, and preparedness for all teaching sessions
• Support after-school programs and seasonal camps as scheduled

Qualifications

• Experience teaching, mentoring, coaching, or working with children, particularly ages 5–8
• Strong interest in visual arts, handcrafts, maker activities, and creative education
• Background in art, fine arts, design, crafts, education, or equivalent practical experience
• Ability to develop engaging, age-appropriate art projects for children
• Strong communication and classroom management skills
• Patient, energetic, creative, and comfortable leading hands-on activities
• Reliable, punctual, organized, and able to work independently
• Able to travel to school and program locations within Vancouver
• Fluent in English with the ability to communicate clearly and engage young learners
• Successful completion of a Vulnerable Sector Criminal Record Check is required

Strong Assets

We would especially love to hear from candidates with experience in one or more of the following:

• Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage (非遗) arts and handcrafts
• Traditional Chinese folk arts or cultural crafts
• Chinese paper cutting (剪纸)
• Chinese knotting (中国结)
• Traditional lantern making
• Weaving, textile, embroidery, or fibre arts
• Clay, pottery, or sculptural crafts
• Printmaking or traditional decorative arts
• Shadow puppetry or traditional storytelling crafts
• Mixed media, painting, drawing, sculpture, or craft-based projects
• Developing original art curriculum for children
• Teaching art programs in schools, camps, studios, or after-school settings
• Degree or diploma in Fine Arts, Design, Art Education, Education, or a related field
• Experience working with students from diverse cultural backgrounds
• Access to a vehicle for travelling between program locations or transporting materials

Knowledge of Chinese language is an asset but not required.

What We’re Looking For

Beyond technical art skills, we are looking for an instructor who genuinely enjoys creating with children.

The ideal candidate can take an artistic concept or traditional craft and transform it into an engaging, achievable, and age-appropriate experience for young learners.

We value instructors who can bring new ideas, cultural perspectives, and creative projects to our growing Creative Arts program.

Job Type

• Part-time
• Seasonal
• Fixed-term contract
• Internship / Co-op opportunities may also be available

Programs may include weekday after-school classes as well as Winter, Spring, and Summer camps.

Benefits

• Training and curriculum support provided
• Opportunity to contribute to and develop new Maven TechLab Creative Arts curriculum
• Opportunities for additional teaching hours during seasonal camps
• Casual dress
• On-site parking available at select locations

Job Types: Part-time, Fixed term contract, Internship / Co-op

Pay: $23.00-$26.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Casual dress
• On-site parking

Work Location: In person