Children’s Book Illustrator Lead (Volunteer)
Mentor A Promise, New York, NY, United States
Children’s Book Illustrator Lead (Volunteer)
Organization:
Mentor A Promise
Location:
Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed
Type:
Volunteer (Unpaid, Senior Creative Leadership Role)
About Mentor A Promise
Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability in New York City. Through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression, MAP creates safe, consistent, and joyful spaces where young people can grow, imagine, and thrive.
Story and illustration are central to how MAP reaches children—especially those who have experienced trauma, displacement, or instability. Our children’s publishing work focuses on warmth, dignity, representation, and emotional safety.
Role Overview The
Children’s Book Illustrator Lead
oversees the visual development of MAP’s children’s books and illustrated storytelling projects. This role shapes the artistic direction of MAP’s publishing efforts—ensuring illustrations are
trauma-informed, culturally responsive, emotionally safe, and developmentally appropriate
for children who have experienced housing instability.
This is a senior creative leadership role that blends artistic vision, mentorship, and editorial collaboration.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the visual direction for MAP’s children’s books and illustrated content
Develop illustration standards that reflect trauma-informed and child-centered design
Ensure visual storytelling aligns with literacy, SEL, and cultural sensitivity goals
Review and guide artwork from illustrators, interns, and volunteers
Collaborate closely with writers, editors, and educators
Provide creative feedback and mentorship to junior illustrators
Ensure consistency of characters, environments, and visual tone across projects
Support production-ready files and coordination with publishing workflows
Qualifications
Professional experience in children’s book illustration or visual storytelling
Strong understanding of child development, emotional safety, and visual literacy
Ability to lead creative direction and give thoughtful, constructive feedback
Experience working collaboratively with writers and editors
Alignment with MAP’s equity-centered and trauma-informed mission
Preferred Skills
Experience illustrating for diverse or underserved communities
Familiarity with publishing formats (print and digital)
Background in education, literacy, or SEL-informed media
Experience mentoring artists or managing creative teams
Commitment
Volunteer leadership role
Approximately 5–10 hours per week
Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
Fully remote with optional NYC-based collaboration
What You’ll Gain
Creative leadership experience in nonprofit children’s publishing
Opportunity to shape stories that directly support children in crisis
Collaboration with writers, educators, and mission-driven creatives
Professional recognition and letters of recommendation
A lasting legacy in books that bring comfort, imagination, and hope
How To Apply Interested candidates should
apply directly through Idealist . Please add your resume and cover letter.
Help bring stories to life for children who need them most—through art that heals, welcomes, and inspires.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Organization:
Mentor A Promise
Location:
Remote with NYC-based collaboration as needed
Type:
Volunteer (Unpaid, Senior Creative Leadership Role)
About Mentor A Promise
Mentor A Promise (MAP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting children and youth ages 5–18 experiencing housing instability in New York City. Through mentorship, literacy, social-emotional learning, and creative expression, MAP creates safe, consistent, and joyful spaces where young people can grow, imagine, and thrive.
Story and illustration are central to how MAP reaches children—especially those who have experienced trauma, displacement, or instability. Our children’s publishing work focuses on warmth, dignity, representation, and emotional safety.
Role Overview The
Children’s Book Illustrator Lead
oversees the visual development of MAP’s children’s books and illustrated storytelling projects. This role shapes the artistic direction of MAP’s publishing efforts—ensuring illustrations are
trauma-informed, culturally responsive, emotionally safe, and developmentally appropriate
for children who have experienced housing instability.
This is a senior creative leadership role that blends artistic vision, mentorship, and editorial collaboration.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the visual direction for MAP’s children’s books and illustrated content
Develop illustration standards that reflect trauma-informed and child-centered design
Ensure visual storytelling aligns with literacy, SEL, and cultural sensitivity goals
Review and guide artwork from illustrators, interns, and volunteers
Collaborate closely with writers, editors, and educators
Provide creative feedback and mentorship to junior illustrators
Ensure consistency of characters, environments, and visual tone across projects
Support production-ready files and coordination with publishing workflows
Qualifications
Professional experience in children’s book illustration or visual storytelling
Strong understanding of child development, emotional safety, and visual literacy
Ability to lead creative direction and give thoughtful, constructive feedback
Experience working collaboratively with writers and editors
Alignment with MAP’s equity-centered and trauma-informed mission
Preferred Skills
Experience illustrating for diverse or underserved communities
Familiarity with publishing formats (print and digital)
Background in education, literacy, or SEL-informed media
Experience mentoring artists or managing creative teams
Commitment
Volunteer leadership role
Approximately 5–10 hours per week
Minimum 6-month commitment preferred
Fully remote with optional NYC-based collaboration
What You’ll Gain
Creative leadership experience in nonprofit children’s publishing
Opportunity to shape stories that directly support children in crisis
Collaboration with writers, educators, and mission-driven creatives
Professional recognition and letters of recommendation
A lasting legacy in books that bring comfort, imagination, and hope
How To Apply Interested candidates should
apply directly through Idealist . Please add your resume and cover letter.
Help bring stories to life for children who need them most—through art that heals, welcomes, and inspires.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering with our organization. At this time, volunteer opportunities are limited to individuals based in the United States due to legal, safeguarding, data-privacy, and programmatic requirements. We appreciate your interest in our mission and your understanding of these constraints.
#J-18808-Ljbffr