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)
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 senior creative leadership role blends artistic vision, mentorship, and editorial collaboration, ensuring illustrations are trauma‑informed, culturally responsive, emotionally safe, and developmentally appropriate for children who have experienced housing instability.
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
In Summary: Children’s Book Illustrator Lead oversees the visual development of MAP's children's books and illustrated storytelling projects . This is a senior creative leadership role that blends artistic vision, mentorship, and editorial collaboration . The position is a volunteer leadership role with a 6-month commitment preferred .
En Español:
MAP es una organización sin ánimo de lucro dedicada a apoyar a niños y jóvenes de 518 años que experimentan inestabilidad en la vivienda en Nueva York. A través del asesoramiento, la alfabetización, el aprendizaje social-emocional y la expresión creativa, MAP crea espacios seguros, consistentes y alegres donde los jóvenes pueden crecer, imaginarse e prosperar. Este papel da forma a la dirección artística de los esfuerzos editoriales de MAP para garantizar que las ilustraciones estén informadas sobre el trauma, sean culturalmente sensibles, sean emocionalmente seguras y se adapten al desarrollo de los niños que han experimentado inestabilidad en vivienda. Es un rol de liderazgo creativo senior que combina visión artística, tutoría y colaboración editorial. Responsabilidades clave Liderar la dirección visual de los libros infantiles y contenido ilustrado del MAP ?? Desarrollar estándares de ilustración que reflejen directamente el diseño informado sobre el traumatismo y centrado en el niño Asegurar que la narrativa visual esté alineada con los objetivos de alfabetización, SEL y sensibilidad cultural Revisar y guiar el trabajo artístico de los ilustradores, pasantes y voluntarios Colaborar estrechamente con escritores, candidatos e instrucciones Creativas Proveer retroalimentación y orientación a los autores más jóvenes Encuentros creativos y mentores MAP Cómo ayudar a los redactores profesionales a desarrollar una experiencia profesional y apoyo a través de proyectos educativos y trabajos basados en el conocimiento o aprendizaje Por favor, agregue su currículum y carta de presentación. Ayude a dar vida a las historias para los niños que más las necesitan a través del arte que cura, da la bienvenida e inspira. Gracias por tu interés en ser voluntario con nuestra organización. En este momento, las oportunidades de voluntariado se limitan a individuos basados en Estados Unidos debido a requisitos legales, de salvaguardia, privacidad de datos y programación. Apreciamos tu interés por nuestra misión y tu comprensión de estas restricciones. #J-18808-Ljbffr