Studio Faculty, Ceramics
National accessArts Centre
Compensation: $24.45/hr
The National accessArts Centre is seeking a ceramics facilitator for a short term, one month contract position, with the possibility of extension.
This role is ideal for someone with a solid understanding of clay, the ability to fire a kiln, and an interest in building hands on teaching experience. You’ll be working in a fun, fast paced studio environment alongside a dynamic team of artists.
This position involves supporting and collaborating with artists with disabilities, offering a meaningful opportunity to develop experience in accessible arts practices, adaptive facilitation approaches, and inclusive studio support.
It’s a wonderful fit for an emerging ceramics practitioner who is passionate about community-engaged artmaking and cultivating a welcoming, barrier conscious creative space.
Tasks & Responsibilities
All studio faculty positions work closely with the director, visual arts and with each other as peers to understand and support the artistic/creative needs of our participants. The director, visual arts relies on the studio team to help implement a program plan that looks at the advancement of each of our artists through self-directed studio sessions, media-specific training and creation programs, and artists-in-residence initiatives.
Studio Operations & Administration
- Ensure that artists are equipped with the necessary tools and supplies specific to their creative goals.
- Assist and provide inspirational resources to artists developing ideas and respect their autonomy over their creative process.
- Identify possible areas for artist skills training; facilitate skills training for artists as required.
- Ensure the studio is well equipped and ready to meet the needs of our artists and their projects by assisting teammates with:
- Proper set-up, tear down, and clean up of tools, supplies, chairs/tables at the end of each
- session.
- Identification of areas that need further clean-up from janitorial staff reported to the coordinator, artist services.
- Stock appropriate supplies, and re-stocking/ sourcing/ ordering supplies as needed within the boundaries of the studio budget; ensuring artists have what they need to execute their projects.
- Report safety concerns to the safety officer or the manager, operations.
- Work with volunteers and practicum students to keep studio storage, supplies, and common workspaces clean and well organized; supervise volunteers and practicum students in the delivery of day-to-day studio sessions and report progress to the administrator, artist services.
- Diligent and careful storage of finished artworks and works in progress.
- Accurately and fairly valuate the cost of materials and present to the coordinator, artist services to process project payments.
- Ensure all processes and tasks within the ceramics department are executed within a reasonable timeframe (project tracking, mixing glazes, firing regular kiln loads, equipment maintenance, mitigating dust, etc.); report any setbacks to the director, visual arts immediately.
- Support other members of the studio faculty team by actively engaging in shared studio tasks (general cleaning/ organization, daily announcements, studio progress or ISP notes, etc.).
- Uphold and adhere to all direct service polices and procedures and studio processes and protocols.
- Assist in the planning and implementation of exhibitions and other social and fundraising events.
- Provide minimum three days’ notice for anticipated absences; in consultation with the director, visual arts actively support finding studio coverage for all absences.
- Advocate for the agency and equitable treatment of NaAC artists; be able to hold difficult conversations with various stakeholders when NaAC values and artists’ rights are compromised or at risk.
- Stay up to date on current artistic trends and practices, especially as they pertain to artists living with disabilities.
Artists
- Engage artists in all elements of the artistic cycle including:
- Conduct annual meetings with assigned artists to identify their goals and professional aspirations; thoroughly document meeting notes and report to the administrator, artist services for PDD reporting; submit documents within a minimum of two days post-completion.
- Assist in conceptualizing and realizing new artworks.
- Assist/ instruct/ facilitate the creation of artworks.
- Coordinate proper framing or display of artists’ finished works.
- Provide input to initial artist assessments and complete weekly tracking of goals/objectives for artists.
- Advocate artists’ right to autonomy over their artwork.
- Report any suspected mental or physical health challenges faced by artists via Contact Note or Incident Report to the director, visual arts immediately.
- Report any behavioral concerns that negatively impact the artist and other surrounding participant artists to the director, visual arts immediately.
Exhibitions and Other Event Assistance
- Assist with all National accessArts Centre exhibitions and other events as requested. Tasks may include:
- Planning, including the determination of placement of art pieces.
- Event set up and tear down.
- Hanging of art pieces.
- Other tasks specific to the event at hand
Expected Behaviours
- Adhere to the NaAC’s Code of Conduct at all times; behave respectfully and without discrimination.
- Actively support and participate in the NaAC’s initiatives to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- Take initiative to learn about the NaAC, its goals, and its artists.
- Demonstrate willingness to adapt communication and teaching style to meet unique and individual needs.
- Demonstrate a commitment to artists’ autonomy over their creative decisions.
- Actively attend, engage, and participate in meetings as required.
- Respond to all organizational email correspondence in a timely manner.
- Complete all mandatory training on time.
- Participate in team-building events.
- Respond to NaAC surveys and requests for information.
- Demonstrate a positive attitude; be willing to resolve conflicts respectfully and in a timely manner.
Qualifications
Required Skills + Abilities
- Formal training in the visual arts. Relevant experience can be also considered.
- 2-5+ years in a facilitator, mentor, collaborator role in the arts.
- Ability to speak and write effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.
- Demonstrable attention to detail.
- Basic skills in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and online meeting platforms.
Additional Skills + Abilities Considered Assets
- Experience working with individuals with physical and/or developmental disabilities.
- Exemplary verbal and written communication skills.
Required Personal Characteristics
- Patience.
- Passion for helping artists achieve their goals in all elements of the artistic process.
- Mature attitude and ability to work autonomously in a collaborative environment.
- 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.
- Proactive, positive, and solutions‑oriented, with a willingness to take initiative.
Please email cover letter and resume to Christine McGrath christine.mcgrath@accessarts.ca
