Job Opportunities

Join our vibrant creative community in Minneapolis, Minnesota! Explore exciting opportunities with us as we seek passionate individuals to fill various positions, including roles as glass art instructors, teaching assistants, and studio attendants. Bring your talent and enthusiasm to a dynamic and self-driven environment!

Help us support Foci MCGA’s vision of creating a diverse community of dedicated makers, enthusiasts, seekers, and newcomers who feel welcomed and engaged at our glass arts center.

Admin and Program Assistant

Send a cover letter, resume and list of 3 references in PDF format with “Admin and Program Assistant” in subject line to julie.strand@mnglassart.org. Position is open until filled. 

Compensation: $18-$20 per hour, commensurate with experience Hours: 32-40 hours per week, (nights and weekends needed) Start date: as soon as possible

Reports to: Office Administrator & Executive Director

Description: This position supports Foci MCGA administrative tasks, front of house tasks, and studio tasks providing hospitality and welcome to our glass studio and gallery. The role will function as the first point of contact for the studio and will support Foci MCGA's vision of a diverse community of dedicated makers, enthusiasts, seekers, and newcomers who feel welcomed and engaged at our center. Additionally this position involves maintaining record keeping systems including renewals, rentals, and registrations.

Responsibilities 

Front of House Program Support - (50%)

  • Staff the front desk of the studio which includes greeting all visitors, students, and artists. Engage people by connecting them with Foci MCGA's resources and programming, while encouraging newsletter signups and promoting upcoming events.

  • Assist gallery shoppers, ringing up art purchases, and packaging objects.

  • Assist in monitoring the public points of contact for Foci MCGA (phone line, voicemail, and email account). This entails responding to general requests or promptly routing inquiries to the appropriate staff in a timely manner.

  • Check in students for Core Classes, Glass Discovery experiences, and Glassblowing demonstrations.

  • Check in studio users for their scheduled rental reservations in the Hot Shop, Flame Shop, Mold Room, Kiln Shop, or Classroom and ensure they have received the proper training to work safely.

  • Use the front of house POS system (SquareUp) to ring up transactions.

  • Provide occasional brief tours of our studio to curious visitors.

  • Complete Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Front of House Task Lists

  • Print front desk forms as needed.

  • Assist with occasional special events such as fundraisers or demonstrations (occasionally offsite).

  • Ensure that the front desk, gallery, classroom, and kitchen area are clean and orderly.

  • Assist in completion of daily and monthly front of house gallery cleaning and organization tasks.

  • Unlock and lock doors according to Foci MCGA procedures.

  • Maintain an awareness of accessibility accommodations for visitors and staff.

  • Collaborate with the Gallery Coordinator for gallery needs.

Studio Support - (20%)

  • Fire kiln Glass Discovery projects and examples in kilns 

  • Load and unload kilns

  • Keep kilns thoroughly cleaned and fully vacuumed out (PPE provided)

  • Collaborate with Program Coordinator on kiln, mosaic, and stained glass program needs and ideas

  • Collaborate with Studio Technician on kiln and maintenance needs

  • Clean kiln room and classroom so it is ready for classes and rental

  • Monitoring stock of glass in classrooms

  • Creating shopping lists for classroom, refilling and replenishing classroom materials for Glass Discovery and core classes, and classroom maintenance

  • New program ideation with programming coordinator

  • Cross studio collaboration and experimentation

  • Hotshop studio monitoring and basic operations

Admin and Communications (30%):

  • Answer inquiries in a timely manner (both phone and email)

  • Maintain all databases on Excel, Google Drive, Email Newsletter List and scheduling software including studio rentals, registrations, gift certificates, membership, donor, and marketing lists

  • Reconcile studio rental forms and check for payment

  • Calculate studio/barter points for staff and instructors

  • Maintains studio handouts and forms, including class handouts, and evaluation forms for instructors

  • Manage locker and shelf signups, invoicing and database

  • Manage repair/commission requests and disseminating the opportunities to our community

  • Assists with preparation of monthly newsletters and member updates

  • Maintain and schedule social media postings on Instagram/Facebook through Later.com

  • Collaborate with Gallery Coordinator on graphic design needs

  • Assist with fundraising and special events as needed

  • Check studio reservation calendars each shift and ensure spaces are prepped for classes or rental reservations.

  • Assist with processing Glass Discovery experience purchases and scheduling. Approve reservations and check for payment. 

  • Reach out to individuals who have glass projects or purchases waiting to be picked up at the front desk. 

  • Assist with compiling the Annual Stats

Qualifications

  • Experience with kilns, visual art materials, studio glass arts

  • Flexible, motivated self-starter 

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills 

  • Ability to communicate via email concisely and in a professional manner

  • Interested in efficiencies and detail oriented

  • Ability to type and to use and maintain data with accuracy

  • Ability to greet visitors with a friendly and welcoming demeanor

  • Excellent time management and problem solving skills 

  • Ability to systematically think through and handle tasks, including follow-through, to completion

  • Familiarity with social media

  • General knowledge of Google Drive, and Spreadsheets

Preferences 

  • Non-profit experience

  • Experience with hotshop

  • Knowledge and experience in studio arts or arts administration, and related business practices 

  • Postsecondary Education (Universities, Colleges, Trade and Vocational Schools) current students pursuing degrees in the arts or business are also encouraged to apply.

  • Simple digital photography and editing skills.

Work Requirements

  • Ability to work independently, without frequent oversight 

  • Ability to lift 55 pounds 

  • Ability to bend and stretch to accomplish necessary tasks 

  • Ability to sit for extended periods of time 

  • Ability to work nights and weekends 

  • Ability to arrive to work and special events at scheduled times

Glass Experience Instructors

Experience Instructors are contract positions hired as needed to teach individual and group one-day Glass Discovery experiences in our Hot Shop, Flame Shop, and Kiln Shop.

Compensation: $18-25/hr, commensurate with experience Hours: As needed. 2 hour minimum.

Requirements

  • Minimum of three years of glass experience.

  • Experience working in a public setting.

  • Experience in customer service.

  • A positive attitude, including a helpful and outgoing nature.

  • Must be able to talk in front of a crowd and be respectful to our customers.

  • Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

  • Ability to work weekends, evenings and some holidays.

  • Ability to represent Foci MCGA professionally.

Job Duties

  • Teaches Glass Discovery classes to individuals or groups during regularly scheduled hours and after hours classes.

  • Greeting customers and checking in students.

  • May on occasion be required to close the studio.

  • Remain knowledgeable on Foci MCGA programs, events, and pricing.

  • Prepares the studio for customers, classes, and events.

  • Follows all safety protocols and demonstrates all safety standards to students.

Application Procedure

Interested applicants, please send your resume, letter of interest, and several images of artwork demonstrating your glass abilities to the Program Coordinator at abbey.uffelman@mnglassart.org.

Teaching Assistant

Foci MCGA welcomes applications for Teaching Assistants for upcoming Core Classes in Glassblowing, Fusing & Slumping, Youth Camps, Kiln Casting, Hot Casting, Neon, Flameworking, Coldworking, and Visiting Artist Workshops.

Candidates should

  • possess some knowledge and experience in the area they are applying to assist,

  • be seeking to gain more knowledge and experience in the area they are applying to assist,

  • be capable of supporting the instructor and Foci MCGA’s curriculum,

  • possess strengths in time management, patience, and attentiveness.

Teaching assistants are expected to

  • attend every class for the entirety of the class, 

  • assist instructor during demonstrations, 

  • assist students in practicing what was demonstrated in class,

  • help ensure all students are working together,

  • help ensure all students are getting equal practice time and attention,

  • make sure students are cleaning up work areas before each class is over.

Perks

As a perk for being a Teaching Assistant one will receive studio access in the form of studio points to be used in any of Foci MCGA’s studios. This position does not receive monetary compensation.

Application Procedure

To be considered for a TA position, please send your resume and letter of interest to the Program Coordinator at abbey.uffelman@mnglassart.org.

Core Class, Workshop, & Private Instructors