Instructor of Creative Writing - Worldbuilding (Summer)

Job Description

Job Description

Experience an unforgettable summer at Interlochen, where creativity thrives in the heart of nature! Join our vibrant community for Interlochen Arts Camp 2026, where passionate individuals come together to make art, make friends, and make lifelong memories. In the serene and rustic setting of northern Michigan, you'll inspire the next generation of artists while embracing the beauty and challenges of wilderness living. Embrace the magic and make a lasting impact!

Position Overview

Join the Creative Writing Faculty at the Writing House this summer! Help us continue the legacy of fostering creativity, nurturing talent, and celebrating the individual artistic journey at Interlochen. We are seeking an imaginative, student-centered Creative Writing faculty member to design and teach an engaging course in Worldbuilding for intermediate-level campers (ages 11-13). This course will invite young writers into the expansive possibilities of speculative storytelling—guiding them in the creation of original worlds through narrative, visual, and conceptual design.

The successful candidate will design and teach four sections of Worldbuilding, meeting five days per week over two three-week camp sessions (6/28/26 - 8/9/26), and will contribute to a vibrant, interdisciplinary arts community dedicated to nurturing creativity, curiosity, and artistic risk-taking.

Course Overview

The Intermediate Worldbuilding course introduces students to the foundational elements of speculative and imaginative writing. Through a blend of writing exercises, collaborative activities, and visual/conceptual design, students will explore:

• Speculative fiction fundamentals (fantasy, sci-fi, surrealism)
• Creation of original worlds (geography, ecosystems, cultures, rules)
• Character and creature design
• Mythologies, origin stories, and narrative frameworks
• Visual storytelling elements (maps, diagrams, symbolic systems)
• Collaborative storytelling and shared-world exercises

The course culminates in a portfolio of creative work, which may include stories, maps, illustrated concepts, and/or collaborative projects.

What You Get To Do

• Design and implement a rigorous, age-appropriate curriculum in Worldbuilding for middle school writers
• Teach 4 daily class sections (50 min. per section; up to 10 students per section)
• Design and lead one Creative Writing Forum (e.g. a 50 min master class for for a large group of rising 6th - 12th grade writers; it can be a craft talk, generative writing exercise, educational game, interdisciplinary activity, or something involving literary professionalization)
• Foster an inclusive, supportive, and imaginative classroom environment
• Attend special events and performances such as Collage, Les Préludes, open mic, short play festival, Visiting Writers Series events
• Participate in one Faculty/Staff reading each session (a 7 minute evening reading of your own work for Creative Writing students and faculty)
• Participate in one Writing Life Q&A per session (a panel discussion with all Writing House faculty/staff answering student questions about writing, publishing, educational journeys, editorial work, professionalization, etc.)
• Help assemble student submissions for anthologies published at the end of each session
• Assist director with organizing and hosting student readings at the end of each session
• Provide substantive written feedback to students (and their families) via Camp Student Reports at the conclusion of each session

What You Get

• Compensation: $3,600
• Meals and on-campus lodging
• 10% tuition discount for Discovery Camp or 50% Interlochen Arts Camp for dependents
• 20% discount for tickets to most summer concerts.
• 15% discount on merchandise from Scholarshop and food/beverages from Melody Freeze

What You Need

• Availability 6/27/2026 - 8/10/2026
• Prepared to live in a private residence hall room or nature cabin. While we offer accessible housing accommodations, please note that due to the rustic nature of our camp, these options are limited.
• MFA in Creative Writing required, with a concentration in Fiction
• Strong background in speculative genres (fantasy, science fiction, surrealism, or hybrid forms)
• Demonstrated experience teaching creative writing to middle school or early high school students
• Ability to translate complex creative concepts into accessible, engaging instruction for younger writers
• Interest in interdisciplinary approaches (visual art, mapping, performance, collaborative storytelling)
• Excellent communication, organization, and classroom management skills
• Enthusiasm for working in a residential arts camp environment

Preferred Qualifications

• Publication record in fiction and/or speculative writing
• Experience designing original curricula or creative programming
• Familiarity with worldbuilding across media (literature, games, film, graphic narratives)
• Experience working in arts camps or immersive educational environments

Required Items to Upload on Your Application:

• CV/Resume
• Cover Letter: Please indicate in your cover letter which position you want to be considered for. In the event that you would like to be considered for more than one position, please make that clear. Be yourself in your letter! Tell us about your own writing and literary interests. Tell us about any experience working in camp environments or classrooms. Tell us what kinds of prompts and activities you would like to share with our talented young writers.
• Writing sample, or links to writing online

W hat to Expect about Camp Life

• Rustic Living: You'll be living in a dorm or nature cabin setting, surrounded by the beauty of northern Michigan. Wi-Fi and air conditioning are not provided in the nature cabins, encouraging a true disconnect from the digital world and a deeper connection with nature and those around you.
• Embrace the Outdoors: The camp is nestled in a wilderness area, so expect to encounter wildlife and insects as part of the experience. Embracing the natural environment is key to enjoying your time here.
• Outdoor Work Environment: Many of your duties will involve working outdoors, often for extended periods, so being comfortable in various weather conditions is important.
• Community and Camaraderie: You'll be part of a tight-knit community where collaboration, creativity, and support are at the forefront. The connections you make here will be lifelong.

About Interlochen

Interlochen Arts Camp has been a haven for creative talent for nearly a century. Our summer camp is a vibrant, transformative experience where young artists from diverse backgrounds come together to explore, learn, and grow. We offer a range of programs spanning music, visual arts, theatre, dance, creative writing, film & new media, and interdisciplinary arts, providing a platform for every artist to thrive.