CAE is a thriving non-profit community art center in the Bergen Park area of Evergreen, CO. Our small but mighty staff works hard to “keep the arts alive” across our mountain community. Each team member is relied upon to be a leader and champion of their work and is celebrated in their identity. All staff members at CAE are expected to be creative thinkers and independent problem solvers.

Employees are empowered to use their creativity and unique perspective to forge roles that not only improve our organization but also offer in return a sense of satisfaction and fulfillment. Each person working with us has the freedom and responsibility to meaningfully contribute. We feel empowered to be creative and confident to take risks because we support each other. We strive to create a workplace where mutual trust helps employees feel safe to try and succeed together.

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Direct Supervisor: Director of Education  

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Ceramics Studio Manager, working closely with the Director of Education and Outreach, is responsible for managing the operations of the CAE Ceramics Studio, including operation of the kilns, maintaining glazes, reclaiming clay, identifying studio maintenance, cleaning, and organizing the ceramics facility, restocking supplies, ensuring studio safety, and generally ensuring that the overall studio is in top working order, and other duties as assigned.  

The Ceramics Studio Manager can also act as a Teaching Artist, leading 2-6 ceramics classes per quarter. These classes can include beginning wheel, hand building, youth ceramics, workshops, and other intermediate and advanced ceramics classes based on experience and expertise. Teacher compensation is paid separately (at a 60%/40% split of tuition after supplies), as an independent contractor. 

As a part of CAE’s Education program, the Ceramics Studio Manager works with CAE staff, board, studio members, students, and teaching artist team. The Ceramics Studio Manager will help inspire and expand the CAE Ceramics Studio community and increase interest in the medium by being a community representative of CAE.  

Hours are flexible, 10-20 hours per week. The hours must be evenly distributed throughout the work week (Monday-Saturday), aligning with current studio needs and upcoming ceramics projects. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Maintaining organization, cleanliness, and tidiness of CAE Ceramics Studio.  
• Teaching ceramics classes: 3-6 classes per quarter. These classes can include beginning wheel throwing, hand building, youth ceramics, Clay Dates, workshops, and other intermediate and advanced ceramics classes based on the Ceramic Studio Manager’s experience.  
• Facilitate open studio 2-3 times per week and manage volunteers and schedule, including management and administration of PunchPass system. 
• Communicating and enforcing CAE’s Ceramics Studio Policies (safety, cleanliness, etc.). 
• Managing studio supplies and equipment.  
• Maintaining and growing CAE glaze program (mixing glazes, maintaining chemicals, and dry materials). 
• Maintaining the studio’s stock of recycled clay by operating pug mill. 
• Independently loading, unloading, and firing kilns for bisque and glaze loads in electric and gas kilns.  
• Maintain and monitor kiln operation including shelf maintenance (cleaning/grinding and applying kiln wash), maintaining logs for each kiln, and making/monitoring witness cone packs.  
• Glaze maintenance assistance (mixing, testing, and chemical upkeep).  
• Lead monthly studio orientations for new students and serve as a resource to students with questions while present in the studio and facilitating open studio.  
• Assisting Education Director in recruiting ceramic studio volunteers and interns. 

REQUIREMENTS  

• Thorough knowledge of ceramics equipment and processes  
• Diligent cleaning habits. Examples and training provided.  
• Knowledge of running/firing electric kilns  
• Knowledge of running/firing gas and raku kilns (preferred) 
• Ability to travel to the studio to perform duties as needed (open studio hours, workshops, kiln firings, etc.) 
• Demonstrated time management and flexibility as this position can require operation changes to meet deadlines  
• Computer proficiency, including email, Outlook, Google Drive/Docs.  
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal).  
• Organized, detailed, disciplined, and process oriented.  
• Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 50lbs.
• Must be able to stand for long periods of time.
• Must be able to work while wearing PPE and masks for extended periods of time.  
• Willingness to work together with volunteers to grow the CAE Ceramics Program.  
• Knowledge of basic glaze-making (preferred)  
• Candidates with degree in ceramic arts as well as teaching experience will be preferred  

EDUCATION 

Preferred, but not required: Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts in Art or BFA in Ceramics.  

Considered: Equivalent experience in ceramics. Applicants who have completed college-level classes in the ceramics medium and/or 4+ years of practical experience in ceramics. Applicants should describe their experience in detail in their resumé. 

SALARY

Part-time, non-exempt, $22-24/hr, approx. 10-20 hrs/wk  

PERKS & RESOURCES

• Unlimited studio access during CAE’s operating hours (Tues-Sat 9-5) 
• Free glazing and firing at the studio for personal work (not for production use) 
• Training in studio operations including firing and operating electric kilns, glaze spray booth, pugmill, and a reduction gas kiln  
• Opportunity to teach ceramics classes, youth break camps, workshops, and teen ceramics at 60/40 tuition split 
• 40% discount on all CAE art classes and gift shop 
• Opportunity to show work in CAE member exhibition 
• Opportunity to perform outreach work at $50/hr 
• Networking with artists in CAE’s artist community 
• Opportunity to sell work in CAE’s Art Markets  
• Opportunity to learn about festival production through working as staff CAE’s annual festivals including Summerfest, Winterfest, and concert series

HOW TO APPLY

Send a cover letter detailing your interest in the position and any relevant experience to the duties required along with a resume, 3 photos of your work, and Instagram or Facebook page via email to [email protected] with the subject “Ceramics Studio Manager.” 

Open until filled. 

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Look over our teaching procedures and fill out our Teaching Application. Submit your completed application with a brief class proposal to the applicable contact person listed below to get the discussion started.

PLEASE DIRECT INQUIRIES TO:

Emiko Martinez – Education Program Manager  |  [email protected] or leave a message at 847.409.7619

CAE has facilities for ceramics, painting, drawing, and a variety of other media.

Please review the following policies and documents:

• Employment forms must be submitted for each teacher:
  • Application for Teaching Position (currently being updated – check back soon)
  • W9
  • Resume/CV
  • Email completed PDFs to [email protected]
• Familiarize yourself with our policies & procedures:
  • Teacher Guidelines (Updated 2022) – Please read before submitting a class proposal
• Class Contract must be submitted for each class:
  • This is where you enter all the details of your class for publication
  • Scheduling will be finalized with CAE representative after submission
  • Classes must be scheduled at least 30-45 days in advance of first meeting

Fill Out Adult Class Contract Here

Youth classes include Art Camps and workshops on-site at CAE, and an Art After School program that travels off-site to local elementary and middle schools.

All youth teachers must attend mandatory quarterly Youth Education planning meetings.

Please review the following policies and documents:

• Employment forms must be submitted for each teacher:
  • Application for Teaching Position (Updated 2022)
  • W9
  • Resume/CV
  • Email completed PDFs to [email protected]
• Additional mandatory requirements for all instructors working with children eighteen years of age and younger:
  • Asset Control (background check)
    • Asset Control Instructions
• Familiarize yourself with our policies & procedures:
  • Teacher Guidelines (Updated 2022) – Please read before submitting a class proposal
  • Colorado Academic Standards for Visual Arts
• Class Contract must be submitted for each class:
  • Summer Art Camp Contract
  • Youth Class at CAE

Fill Out Youth Class Contract Here

We have volunteer and limited paid opportunities for students and/or adults who are interested in being summer art camp teaching assistants. Submit a teaching assistant application to get the conversation started.