Jobs
AIANY and the Center for Architecture is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and existing employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy (including childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), national origin, citizenship status, age, physical and mental disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information (including characteristics and testing), military and veteran status, or any protected category prohibited by local, state or federal laws.
Freelance Design Educators [Updated 6/10/2025]
Reports to: School Programs Manager
Organization: CFA
Department: Education
Effective Date: July 2025
Classification: Contractor
The Center for Architecture is seeking freelance Design Educators to teach in our K–12 architecture and design education program, Learning By Design; a multi session residency offered during the school day. Programs typically run for 6–10 weeks, serving multiple classes with weekly 90-minute classroom workshops on a program theme. Our programs use hands-on, project-based design activities to enrich classroom studies, build students’ understanding and appreciation of architecture and the built environment, and develop their design sensibilities and critical thinking skills.
Candidates must be willing to travel to program sites throughout the city and to collaborate with partner teachers to develop age-appropriate, sequential lessons that integrate architecture and design into classroom studies.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Education/Experience:
• Bachelor's or master's degree in education and/or arts education, architecture, design, engineering;
• Minimum two years’ experience leading hands-on art/design projects with K-12 audiences in a school, museum, or community setting;
• Excellent classroom management skills and ability to work with students of varying abilities;
• Familiarity with NYC Public Schools curriculum, NY State Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts and curriculum standards, including the Social Studies and Science Scope and Sequence;
Qualified candidates will be asked to provide sample lessons plans based on topics provided by the Center for Architecture and to lead a design-based activity for CFA staff. Design Educators accepted for employment must be fingerprinted by the New York Public Schools before taking on a program in an NYC public school. The CFA will reimburse the fingerprinting fee.
Compensation: Design Educators are paid on a per program basis as independent contractors at a rate of $165/90-minute classroom session with students. Additional compensation is provided for planning meetings, curriculum research, and other training and meetings as required.
Application Instructions: To apply, please send a cover letter and resume in PDF format to lmazzola@centerforarchitecture.org. Please put the job title and your last name in the subject line of your email. No phone calls, please.
About the Center for Architecture: The Center for Architecture is a leading cultural venue for architecture and the built environment in New York City. The Center for Architecture shares a home with the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter and has the unique advantage of drawing upon the ideas and experiences of practicing architects to produce thought provoking exhibitions, informative public programs, and engaging design education experiences for K-12 students, teachers and families. It also leads New York City’s annual month-long architecture and design festival, Archtober. The Center for Architecture’s aim is to educate a broad audience about the built environment and the value of contemporary architectural practice in urban life.
Organization: CFA
Department: Education
Effective Date: July 2025
Classification: Contractor
The Center for Architecture is seeking freelance Design Educators to teach in our K–12 architecture and design education program, Learning By Design; a multi session residency offered during the school day. Programs typically run for 6–10 weeks, serving multiple classes with weekly 90-minute classroom workshops on a program theme. Our programs use hands-on, project-based design activities to enrich classroom studies, build students’ understanding and appreciation of architecture and the built environment, and develop their design sensibilities and critical thinking skills.
Candidates must be willing to travel to program sites throughout the city and to collaborate with partner teachers to develop age-appropriate, sequential lessons that integrate architecture and design into classroom studies.
Duties/Responsibilities:
Education/Experience:
• Bachelor's or master's degree in education and/or arts education, architecture, design, engineering;
• Minimum two years’ experience leading hands-on art/design projects with K-12 audiences in a school, museum, or community setting;
• Excellent classroom management skills and ability to work with students of varying abilities;
• Familiarity with NYC Public Schools curriculum, NY State Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts and curriculum standards, including the Social Studies and Science Scope and Sequence;
Qualified candidates will be asked to provide sample lessons plans based on topics provided by the Center for Architecture and to lead a design-based activity for CFA staff. Design Educators accepted for employment must be fingerprinted by the New York Public Schools before taking on a program in an NYC public school. The CFA will reimburse the fingerprinting fee.
Compensation: Design Educators are paid on a per program basis as independent contractors at a rate of $165/90-minute classroom session with students. Additional compensation is provided for planning meetings, curriculum research, and other training and meetings as required.
Application Instructions: To apply, please send a cover letter and resume in PDF format to lmazzola@centerforarchitecture.org. Please put the job title and your last name in the subject line of your email. No phone calls, please.
About the Center for Architecture: The Center for Architecture is a leading cultural venue for architecture and the built environment in New York City. The Center for Architecture shares a home with the American Institute of Architects New York Chapter and has the unique advantage of drawing upon the ideas and experiences of practicing architects to produce thought provoking exhibitions, informative public programs, and engaging design education experiences for K-12 students, teachers and families. It also leads New York City’s annual month-long architecture and design festival, Archtober. The Center for Architecture’s aim is to educate a broad audience about the built environment and the value of contemporary architectural practice in urban life.
Volunteers
AIA New York and the Center for Architecture often seek volunteers to support a wide variety of programming. Check back here for updates.
K-12 Summer Program Volunteers
About our Summer Programs:
Summer Programs give curious kids the opportunity to dive into specific interests in architecture and test out their own ideas. Each program explores a different theme through art and building activities, design challenges, guided investigations of architectural examples, and field trips. Programs are taught by CFA Design Educators
and are grouped by age: elementary school (grades 3–5), middle school (grades 6–8) and high school (grades 9–12). Each program culminates with students presenting their week’s design work to family and friends. Programs are held at the Center for Architecture and at an offsite location on Bryant Park and will run July 7–August 22, 2025.
Responsibilities/Requirements:
Volunteers are asked to commit to full program weeks, so they can see the project from start to finish and be fully integrated into the program as assistants. Volunteers work directly with our Design Educators in the classroom and assist with all program activities and field trips. Typical tasks include working one-on-one with a
student to help them finalize their ideas or figure out how to get their drawing to the right scale; cutting cardboard for younger students; providing encouragement to a student who is having difficulties; and assisting with class management on a field trip. You will not only develop your teaching skills but also learn more about architecture and design in the process.
The hours are 8:30 am–4:30 pm, Monday–Friday, with an hour break for lunch. Candidates should have experience or interest in working with children, and have knowledge of and interest in architecture, design, and hands-on art making.
How to Apply:
Please complete our Summer Volunteer Application (download below) and send that along with your resume to k12education@centerforarchitecture.org. Please visit centerforarchitecture.org/summer for further information about the programs being offered this summer.
About the Center for Architecture
The Center for Architecture shares a home with the AIA New York Chapter and has the unique advantage of drawing upon the ideas and experiences of practicing architects to produce thought provoking exhibitions, informative public programs, and quality design education experiences for K-12 students. It also leads New York City’s annual month-long architecture and design festival, Archtober.
The Center for Architecture’s aim is to further public knowledge about New York City architecture and architects, foster exchange and collaboration among members of the design, development, building, scholarly, and policy sectors, and inspire new ideas about the role of design in communities by presenting contemporary and practical issues in architecture and urbanism to a general audience.
Summer Programs give curious kids the opportunity to dive into specific interests in architecture and test out their own ideas. Each program explores a different theme through art and building activities, design challenges, guided investigations of architectural examples, and field trips. Programs are taught by CFA Design Educators
and are grouped by age: elementary school (grades 3–5), middle school (grades 6–8) and high school (grades 9–12). Each program culminates with students presenting their week’s design work to family and friends. Programs are held at the Center for Architecture and at an offsite location on Bryant Park and will run July 7–August 22, 2025.
Responsibilities/Requirements:
Volunteers are asked to commit to full program weeks, so they can see the project from start to finish and be fully integrated into the program as assistants. Volunteers work directly with our Design Educators in the classroom and assist with all program activities and field trips. Typical tasks include working one-on-one with a
student to help them finalize their ideas or figure out how to get their drawing to the right scale; cutting cardboard for younger students; providing encouragement to a student who is having difficulties; and assisting with class management on a field trip. You will not only develop your teaching skills but also learn more about architecture and design in the process.
The hours are 8:30 am–4:30 pm, Monday–Friday, with an hour break for lunch. Candidates should have experience or interest in working with children, and have knowledge of and interest in architecture, design, and hands-on art making.
How to Apply:
Please complete our Summer Volunteer Application (download below) and send that along with your resume to k12education@centerforarchitecture.org. Please visit centerforarchitecture.org/summer for further information about the programs being offered this summer.
About the Center for Architecture
The Center for Architecture shares a home with the AIA New York Chapter and has the unique advantage of drawing upon the ideas and experiences of practicing architects to produce thought provoking exhibitions, informative public programs, and quality design education experiences for K-12 students. It also leads New York City’s annual month-long architecture and design festival, Archtober.
The Center for Architecture’s aim is to further public knowledge about New York City architecture and architects, foster exchange and collaboration among members of the design, development, building, scholarly, and policy sectors, and inspire new ideas about the role of design in communities by presenting contemporary and practical issues in architecture and urbanism to a general audience.
K-12 Volunteers
Volunteering at the Center for Architecture is a great way to contribute to the community, learn new skills, and have fun! We currently need volunteers for the following:
Family Programs: Weekend public programs for children ages 5-13 and their parents.
Vacation Programs: 3-day thematic programs for children grades 3-8.
Summer Programs: 5-day thematic programs for children grades 3-12.
For more information, download the volunteer application form below!
Family Programs: Weekend public programs for children ages 5-13 and their parents.
Vacation Programs: 3-day thematic programs for children grades 3-8.
Summer Programs: 5-day thematic programs for children grades 3-12.
For more information, download the volunteer application form below!