Ceramics Studio Manager

SUMMARY

The Lexington Arts & Crafts Society, Inc. (dba LexArt) seeks an artist/technician to maintain and manage one of our five equipped shared studios/makers spaces. This is a multi-part job that includes maintenance of studio operations, materials and equipment, and oversight of studio users. The Ceramics Studio Manager will work closely with a team of three other part-time studio managers and a small administrative staff that manages the operation of our organization and 11,000 sq. ft. facility.

About LexArt: LexArt is a non-profit artisans’ collaborative - community arts center with a rich history, dedicated following and new leadership, located near Lexington (MA) Center. We're dedicated to bringing joy, enrichment and building community through the practice, teaching, and sharing of art and craft. Our facility houses a newly renovated gallery and fully equipped ceramics, woodworking, weaving & fiber arts, metalworking and painting studios, along with adaptive space for other studio crafts. We continue to diversify and expand our programs, our membership and the communities we serve.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Type: part-time (approx. 30 hrs/wk)

Pay: $25/hr.

Additional time and pay available through teaching opportunities

Benefits: Benefits include holidays, vacation, and sick leave, full access to the ceramics studio and all other makers spaces. Time off and financial support for training and professional development as budget permits. LexArt is not at present able to offer health insurance coverage.

Schedule: Flexible, but the position requires a combination of daytime and weekday evening and weekend hours.

Location: LexArt is located at 130 Waltham Street, Lexington, MA.

Start: When available, immediately.

POSITION

Duties and responsibilities entail managing the day-to-day and week-to-week operations of the studio, including but not limited to supply ordering, studio setup, studio safety, and general operations, explained further below.

Studio Maintenance and Operations

• Keep the studio clean, organized and safe throughout the year.
• Ensure that all equipment, materials and the studio itself are prepared for all scheduled use.
• Monitor and restock consumables supply inventory such as glazes, clay, cone packs, wax resist, saggar materials and associated supplies like gloves and dust masks.
• Monitor shelves to make sure clay-works are being fired, assess work for thick bottoms, overglazing, and types of clay bodies to prevent kiln accidents
• Establish and maintain a system to manage bisqueware build up.
• Load, unload and fire kilns. (studio maintains three electric kilns, one propane-fired Bailey reduction kiln, propane-fired outdoor raku kiln and two barrel kilns, and fires cone 6 and 9 oxidation and cone 10 reduction.) Experience in reduction firing is preferred but not required.
• Mix glazes and fire test tiles.
• Create and manage equipment maintenance systems. Ensure proper maintenance of all equipment, either by performing the maintenance or contracting with outside service providers when appropriate.
• Hold regularly scheduled supervised studio time for students, beginner users and other studio users, including providing one-on-one guidance as time permits.
• Communicate regularly with studio users about studio norms, equipment needs, and operations.

Education Program

• Work with administrative staff regarding budgeting and planning for materials orders.
• Work with the Education Coordinator to develop and grow the education program, schedule classes, order materials and review enrollment.
• Help research, identify and engage class and workshop instructors
• Coordinate with instructors to ensure studio is prepped for classes and workshops

Safety

• Create studio safety systems, including equipment and material handling.
• Review all safety issues including labeling, handling, and disposal of hazardous materials, equipment instructions and warnings, appropriate procedures, and review all relevant information with studio users and onsite staff at monthly meetings.
• Maintain hazardous waste handling and disposal systems.
• Check first aid kits periodically during each session to assure that the kits are available and up to date. Order first aid supplies as needed.

Studio Improvement

• Evaluate systems, set-up, and storage for potential improvements.
• Help create and manage documents that allow LexArt to run the studio efficiently (via word processing and spreadsheet applications).
• For subcontracted repairs or maintenance, secure proper purchase authorizations and follow established procedures for submitting bills to be paid or for reimbursements.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong background in ceramics with a broad set of skills that are required for running a studio.
• Adaptability, analysis, collaboration, dependability, safety awareness, and organizational sensitivity are characteristics central to this position.
• Enjoy supporting ceramics practitioners of every level, with the goal of leading everyone towards independent and safe studio practice.

Benefits include holidays, vacation, and sick leave, full access to the ceramics studio and all other makers spaces. Time off and financial support for training and professional development as budget permits. LexArt is not at present able to offer health insurance coverage.