2026 Center for the Arts – 4th Grade Tour Leader
Every fall, Wesleyan’s Center for the Arts (CFA) hosts fourth graders from all of Middletown’s eight elementary schools for fun, educational, arts-immersive field trips. The children play the Javanese gamelan in World Music Hall and explore exhibitions in Zilkha and South Galleries, guided by small teams of Wesleyan students. Specific gallery content is still being determined for the 2026 program! We are seeking enthusiastic, energetic tour leaders who love art and enjoy working with children to help design and lead these tours in small teams.
Application Instructions
Apply via Handshake and submit a cover letter and an approved resume. NOTE: We will be hiring on a rolling basis. DO NOT WAIT TO APPLY!
Please note: background checks are not required, as there will be accompanying teachers with the children at all times.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities:
- With support from CFA staff and gallery curators, Tour Leaders will design an age-appropriate engagement for each gallery exhibition, including discussion of specific exhibition concepts and artworks and a hands-on activity to support learning.
- Order and organize all needed activity supplies.
- On field trip days, welcome children to galleries, orient them to the work on display, guide hands-on activities, and facilitate lively engagement in two, back-to-back, 40 minute tours.
- Set up and clean up all workshop supplies.
Desired Skills and Qualifications:
- Enjoy working with children and facilitating creative experiences for others.
- Must be dependable, punctual, cooperative, and professional
- Previous experience working with children is preferred but not required
- Interest/experience with studio art/art history is preferred but not required
Schedule and Availability:
- Start date: September 8 or when the team is fully hired
- Engagement design, 4-6 hours total, to be scheduled with the group in the first three weeks of September
- Exhibition/gallery training: 1 hour in mid-September, time to be determined by CFA staff
- Eight tour dates (still TBD) between Sept 17 and December 3, on Tuesdays and Thursdays: 10 am-11:45am
Department location: In person at the Center for the Arts
Supervisor(s): Rani Arbo, Campus and Community Engagement Manager
Contact name: Rani Arbo, rarbo@wesleyan.edu
Performance Evaluation:
Brief review with supervisor at the end of the engagement.
