Internships / Employment 
Updated 4/2008

 

MATERIALS TECHNICIAN AND RESIDENT ARTIST

Reports to:   Facilities and Studio Manager
Hours:          25 – 30 hours per week on average, on a schedule to be determined by the Studio Manager.
Begins:       Between August 21, 2008 and September 4, 2008

RESPONSIBILITIES

As Studio Support:
  • Tracking and maintaining inventory of raw materials
  • General materials maintenance including: clay recycling, glaze, stain and slip mixing
  • General maintenance and cleaning of clay mixing and glaze mixing areas
  • Loading, unloading and firing of student work
  • Other tasks as assigned

This position is a yearlong, part-time position, which can be renewed pending performance.  Pay is commensurate with experience and performance and within the constraints of the NCC budget.  Benefits include partial reimbursement of health insurance costs, vacation and sick days, a private studio (103 sq. feet), and access to Northern Clay Center facilities.  Qualified applicants will be eligible to teach classes at Northern Clay Center.  This position requires the employee to be available to work on an occasionally flexible schedule, including weekends and evenings.  Workload will vary over the course of a quarter.


QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must:
  • Have a strong background in ceramics
  • Have a demonstrated ability to work independently as well as under supervision, and must have demonstrated organizational skills
  • Have experience working with clay and glazes
  • Be able to work on a flexible schedule, to be determined by the Facilities and Studio Manager
  • Have a bachelor’s degree in ceramics

To apply, please send the following items to:

Pete Scherzer, Facilities and Studio Manager
Northern Clay Center
2424 Franklin Avenue East
Minneapolis, MN 55406
  • A current resume
  • Ten slides labeled with your name, date, dimensions of piece, and materials used, or a CD of ten digital images saved in JPEG format at 96 ppi, with a corresponding image list (for full guidelines, click here)
  • Self-addressed, stamped envelope
  • A cover letter describing how your skills and experience relate to the position’s responsibilities and objectives
All applications must be received by May 31st, 2008.
Northern Clay Center is an equal opportunity employer.

EDUCATION AND SALES GALLERY COORDINATOR

Reports To:                       Education Director and Sales Gallery Manager
Hours:                              Full-time exempt salaried position; work on some evenings and weekends will be required.  Typical schedule will be 11 am – 7:30 pm, Monday through Friday, plus occasional special events.
General Job Description:    This position at Northern Clay Center provides programming and support services for the education department, and also serves as the primary registrar and sales assistant at the front desk.  It requires demonstrated abilities to work effectively with a wide variety of people, excellent time and detail management skills, and knowledge of and interest in education and ceramics.

RESPONSIBILITIES


Education
  • Assist Education Director, which includes, but is not limited to:
  • Designing adult and child quarterly class schedule (including summer camps for children), which includes soliciting class proposals from adjunct instructors, writing class descriptions, and updating instructor biographical information.
  • Acting as primary contact for students and instructors, especially at peak usage times (early evening hours)
  • Supporting director with visiting artist workshops and lectures and all related logistical, p.r., and payment details associated with workshops
  • Scheduling clay events and artist demos for school and other groups, contracting with artists as needed
  • Acting as primary registrar at the front desk, which includes taking student registrations, tracking payments, sending confirmations, distributing information to instructors and students, handling sale of clay and tools to students
  • Distributing, collecting, and tracking student evaluations; reporting to Education Director any problems or concerns
  • Managing student bulletin boards and classroom postings
Volunteer Tour Guide Program
  • Manage the volunteer program, which includes, but is not limited to:
  • Working with other NCC staff to recruit volunteers for specific projects and programs, and for general assistance with NCC activities
  • Evaluating volunteer performance
  • Maintaining accurate records of volunteers' names, activities and ensuring that all receive appropriate acknowledgment
  • Developing and leading annual tour guide training sessions; soliciting potential tour guides; assisting with exhibition training sessions
  • Scheduling and leading tours of building
  • Sending confirmation packets to tour participants
Sales Gallery Support
  • Support Sales Gallery Manager with various tasks, including, but not limited to:
  • Serving as co-receptionist, dispensing information and directing telephone calls
  • Providing customer assistance to shop visitors, including information about all NCC activities
  • Assisting with organizing and implementing workshops, volunteer recruitment, set-up, and clean-up for the American Pottery Festival, annual Holiday Open House, and Artists of the Month receptions
  • Providing customer assistance and selling work from the current exhibition
  • Selecting and maintaining inventory of tools and book titles for re-sale
  • Assist with gallery maintenance
Other
  • Assist with exhibition openings, preparation and clean-up
  • Other duties as assigned

Salary and Benefits

This is a permanent, full-time salaried exempt position.  The starting salary range is from $25,000 to $27,000, depending on qualifications, previous experience, performance, and NCC budget.  Partial health insurance premium reimbursement is provided, along with a 403(b) plan, personal leave and other benefits.

Qualifications

Applicants should have a strong knowledge of and experience in arts education and retail, and a background in ceramic arts.  Applicants must have at least a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.  Strong management and administrative skills are required, as are excellent written and oral communication skills.  Proficiency with Macintosh-based programs (Microsoft Office) is required.  Applicants must have demonstrated excellent people skills.  Applicants must be able to lift and move up to 50 pounds.  This position requires a flexible schedule.
Northern Clay Center is an equal opportunity employer.


Internships Available

Are you a high school graduate or college student looking for an internship in the ceramic field? Northern Clay Center is always looking for clay lovers to assist with various aspects of our programming. 

2008 internship positions include:
  • Clay camp teaching assistants (over 40 positions available between June 16 and August 22)
  • Office and gallery support staff (ongoing availability)
  • Assistant librarian for NCC’s growing resource library
Interested persons should send a letter identifying their area of interest to the Clay Center.

Northern Clay Center is an equal opportunity employer. Northern Clay Center's mission is the advancement of the ceramic arts. Ongoing programs include ten exhibitions each year of work by regional and national artists; classes and workshops for children and adults at all levels of proficiency; studio space and grants for artists; and a sales gallery representing many of the top ceramic artists from the region and elsewhere.