Studio Facilitator, Fibre/Ceramics
This is a permanent full-time opportunity, 30 hours per week, on site.
Position start date is January 2, 2024.
Who We Are
The National accessArts Centre (NaAC) is a fun, fast-paced, dynamic work environment where we collaborate to provide artistic training, creation, exhibition and presentation opportunities for artists living with disabilities. As a creative hub for artists living with disabilities, so often limited in their opportunities and choices, we blur the lines between professional artists, disabled artists, entrepreneurs, innovators and storytellers by sharing their work internationally and re-shaping how the world views and appreciates their talents and place in our communities.
Who You Are and What You Will Do
A highly motivated creator with an established technical skill set in ceramics and/or fibre arts, and a desire to work with the disability community. You are passionate about helping artists achieve their goals in all elements of the artistic process. You demonstrate a commitment to ensuring that the creative decisions made by our artists are theirs alone. You will support the artists’ learning of specific mediums or styles while accounting for their unique abilities and access needs. As part of our creative team, you will demonstrate initiative; assist with the development of facilitation while ensuring proper safety protocols; participate in team planning sessions; and support the National accessArts Centre at events and community programming.
Reporting to the manager, studio, you will work as part of a team committed to the advancement of our artists in our self-directed studios and seek to deliver outstanding opportunities.
Artist Support: Participate in artist assessment; goal planning; skill development; understand and support artists’ needs; guide artists to identify goals and conceptualize new works/styles; assist with individualized artist training plans.
Studio Operations: Share the responsibility of ensuring a clean and safe studio equipped to meet the needs of our artists and their projects or practices; ensure any suspected mental or physical health challenges are appropriately reported.
Assist with Exhibitions & Events: Provide the necessary support for NaAC exhibitions and events, including set up/tear down; hanging art works; set prep, etc.
Technical Demonstrations: Be able to provide technical demonstrations that will support NaAC artists in learning foundational artistic skills.
Experience and Skills You’ll Bring:
- Formal education in the visual arts; established creative skill set in ceramics and/or fibre (knowledge of both is
ideal); or other relevant experience. - Exemplary verbal and written communication skills in English; attention to detail.
- Mature attitude; ability to work autonomously in a collaborative environment; demonstrable initiative.
- Experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities (asset).
- Strong team player, able to adapt to the differing needs of the environment and think outside the box to meet the needs of NaAC artists.
- Basic skills in Microsoft Outlook and Word. Zoom facilitation.
Desired Personal Traits:
- Patient and mature attitude and ability to work autonomously in a collaborative environment.
- Passion for helping artists achieve their goals in all elements of the artistic process.
- Desire and ability to work as part of a team — collegial attitude towards working on a team; conflict management
resolution; committed to no conflict but not avoiding — instead resolving as it comes up. - Desire and will to support artists’ learning of specific mediums or styles while accounting for their unique abilities and access needs.
- Curious about hearing or learning from others as well as sharing ideas.
- Able to think beyond the scope of what is known (e.g. creative solutions to adapting tools to different physical/ sensory challenges).
- Highly organized and capable of following up on assigned duties in a timely manner.
- Energetic and positive approach to tasks; seeks to take initiative without waiting to be told what to do.
Pay Rate & Working Hours:
- $22.40/hour
- Full health/dental benefits (75% paid by NaAC); TFSA/RRSP matching; paid time off
- Monday–Friday; 9am–3:30pm; possible evenings/weekends
- Eligibility
All candidates must be legally entitled to work in Canada and Alberta.
Diverse & Inclusive Work Environment
The National accessArts Centre is an equal opportunity employer and prides itself on offering a sincerely diverse and inclusive workplace, free of discrimination and harassment. We invite all qualified and eligible persons to apply. Decisions will be based on qualifications.
To Apply
Please apply by email. Submit your resume and a cover letter to Raewyn Reid at raewyn.reid@accessarts.ca no later than November 12, 2023. This job posting will remain open until November 12 or until we hire a qualified candidate, whichever occurs sooner. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their resumes as soon as possible.
The NaAC facility is 100% accessible. We will endeavour to offer additional reasonable accommodations to interviewees, as required, with notification provided at the time an interview is booked.
Our Interview Process
We employ a two step interview process for this role. Initial interviews will be conducted with our Manager, Studio. Second interviews will be conducted as peer interviews, with NaAC Studio Facilitators who will further explore qualifications, experience.
Tips for a Great Application & Interview
Make sure you include a cover letter with your resume! A cover letter is a one-page letter addressed to the person accepting resumes and signed by you. Its purpose is to introduce yourself, make clear that you know what the NaAC is about (you can research us at www.acccessarts.ca); showcase the experience and qualifications outlined on your resume; distinguish you from other candidates; and let us know why you want to work at the NaAC. It should be enthusiastic and no more than one page.
Address your submission to the person indicated.
Ensure all spelling is correct (be sure to check our website to be sure you spell our name correctly!).
Send your resume and cover letter as a single PDF
If you are contacted for an interview, come prepared to answer questions that explore your qualifications, experience and personal traits, ask questions of your own, and demonstrate that you’ve explored our website to understand who we are.
Please note that we are unable to grant all applicants an interview and will select candidates based on the completeness of their application and their qualifications. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
