BAI WRITING COACH

About Arts for Learning Maryland

Arts for Learning Maryland (formerly Young Audiences of Maryland) is devoted to enriching the lives and education of Maryland’s youth through educationally and culturally diverse arts programs. Through Arts for Learning, professional teaching artists from all disciplines partner with educators, schools, and school districts to provide—on average—over 300,000 hours of learning in, through, and about the arts to more than 185,000 Maryland students annually.

Arts for Learning is a mission-driven organization that values community, innovation, and passion. Staff, board members, and teaching artists share a commitment to advancing equity in education by generating opportunities for students to imagine, create, and realize their full potential through the arts.

About the Bloomberg Arts Internship

The Bloomberg Arts Internship (BAI) was launched by Bloomberg Philanthropies in 2012 as a pathway for public school students to access college and career opportunities in the arts. The program includes three core components:

• A paid internship placement at an arts or cultural organization

• Exposure to local arts organizations and artists through site visits and field trips

• Professional development focused on college and career readiness

Arts for Learning Maryland is entering its tenth year administering the BAI program in Baltimore. In Summer 2026, we will support 70 rising seniors from Baltimore City Public Schools, divided into two cohorts of 35 students.

THE INTERNSHIP

BAI is an 8-week, full-time, paid summer internship designed to provide students with meaningful work experience, exposure to arts careers, and structured support as they prepare for college. The program runs from June 15 through August 15, with required asynchronous and in-person trainings beginning in May.

Interns are divided into two cohorts with staggered start dates and professional development days. Writing Coaches are assigned to one cohort and collaborate closely with other coaches supporting that group.

Additional details about the intern experience can be found ON OUR WEBSITE and in this INFORMATION SHEET.

Job Description

Writing Coaches play a central role in supporting BAI interns as they develop two core written pieces: an artist statement and a draft college essay. Coaches collaborate to design and facilitate engaging writer’s workshops that help interns build writing stamina, discover their voices, and embrace revision as an essential part of the creative process.

Each Writing Coach works closely with a small group of 7–8 interns, offering verbal and written feedback through workshops and Google Docs. Weekly blog posts provide interns with additional opportunities for reflection and creative expression in a supportive, imaginative space. Writing Coaches also share student drafts with external evaluators to support program learning and continuous improvement.

Writing Coaches work collaboratively when planning workshops, facilitating sessions, and making decisions about individual interns. We honor process over product, ensuring interns lead their work and share their authentic voices. One Lead Writing Coach per cohort supports alignment across workshops and creates space for shared learning and best practices.

Writing Coaches report to the BAI Program Director and collaborate closely with staff.

Detailed calendars and schedules can be viewed HERE.

Key Responsibilities

Writing Coaches will:

• Collaboratively design and facilitate writing workshops for interns

• Support interns in developing artist statements and college essay drafts

• Provide verbal and written feedback through workshops and Google Docs

• Monitor student progress, set goals with interns, and help identify and mitigate barriers

• Collaborate with fellow coaches to publish student work to the BAI Blog on a weekly basis

• Share student drafts with external evaluators to support program learning and improvement

• Travel with assigned groups on in-person field trips and help facilitate discussions

• Support program staff in preparation for the culminating event

• Collaborate with staff throughout the program to adapt supports and ensure student success

Qualifications

While no one candidate will meet every qualification listed, successful Writing Coaches typically bring many of the following:

• Experience facilitating writing workshops or teaching writing in group settings

• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and facilitation skills

• Proactive, detail-oriented, and responsive to student needs

• Ability and desire to collaborate deeply and engage vulnerably with colleagues

• Understanding of the needs, strengths, and capacities of high school students

• Commitment to holding students to high expectations while individualizing support

• Practice of prioritizing humanity over agenda with both students and staff

• Demonstrated commitment to equity, inclusion, and anti-racist practice in education

• Passion for working with high school students and creating joyful, supportive learning environments