Metalworking Studio Manager

Metalworking 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, materials and equipment, and oversight of studio users and operations. The Metals 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. 18 hrs/wk)

Pay: $27.50/hr.

Additional time and pay available through teaching and event opportunities

Benefits: Benefits include holidays, vacation, and sick leave, full access to the metals 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 encompass two distinct areas, functioning as the primary interface between studio users and the organization, and managing the week-to-week operations of the studio. They will include but not be limited to the following.

Studio Management

• • Supply ordering, studio setup, maintenance, safety, and general operations are essential responsibilities, explained further below.

Community Relationships

• • Build and manage relationships across the organization to support instructors, students, and studio users, including providing one-on-one guidance as time permits.
  • Assess skill level of users to determine class placement and permitted equipment use.
  • Hold regularly scheduled supervised studio time for students, beginner users and other studio users.
  • Communicate regularly with studio users about studio norms, equipment use, and operations.
  • Offer tours of the metals studio and explain the benefits of membership to prospective studio members.

Class Preparation

• • Assist Director of Education with reviewing supply lists and materials kit requests from instructors.
  • Order class supplies and prepare student kits as needed.
  • Support the needs of instructors, attend to tools and equipment needs, configure studio space as needed, stock supplies and materials requested for class sessions.
  • Check in regularly with instructors to communicate and reinforce studio and building policy and address any class issues.

Studio Maintenance

• • Keep the studio clean, organized and safe.
  • Ensure that all equipment, materials, and the studio itself are prepared for all scheduled uses.
  • Monitor consumables supply inventory and work with Admin. to restock supplies when needed.
  • Manage studio calendar and help keep metals studio user mailing and email lists current. Communicate with studio users verbally, electronically, through signage and white board.
  • Ensure proper maintenance of all equipment, either by performing the maintenance or alerting administration to need to contract with outside service providers when appropriate.

Studio Improvement

• • Evaluate equipment, systems, studio layout, and storage for potential improvements.
  • Help create and manage documents that allow LexArt to run the studio efficiently (via word processing and spreadsheet applications).

Safety

• • Create studio safety systems, including equipment and material handling.
  • Review all safety protocols including labeling, handling, and disposal of hazardous materials, equipment instructions and warnings, appropriate procedures, and review all relevant information with studio users, instructors and staff.
  • Maintain hazardous waste handling and disposal systems.
  • Maintain first aid kits.
  • Communicate and to the degree possible, enforce safety practices and protocols.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• • Strong background in metalsmithing 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 metalsmithing practitioners of every level, with the goal of leading everyone towards independent and safe studio practice.

REPORTING

The position reports to LexArt’s Executive Director. We expect that you will work 18 hours/week, but understand that depending on conditions, needs and understanding with your supervisor and other staff members, greater or fewer hours may be appropriate and may vary weekly. It is understood that the above includes a long list of duties and responsibilities that will be difficult to attend to on a weekly basis given the time allotted and expect that you will do your best to coordinate with and communicate difficulties with the Executive Director, and solicit assistance when able, from other staff and from qualified studio users.

Materials can be sent to jobs@lexart.org

Inquiries or questions can be sent to chase.jones@lexart.org

Benefits include holidays, vacation, and sick leave, full access to the metals 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.