Raleigh Arts seeks a creative, organized, and knowledgeable Ceramic Studio Manager to join the Raleigh Arts team and oversee the operations of the City’s ceramic studios at Pullen and Sertoma Arts Centers. The Ceramic Studio Manager will be responsible for the maintenance and technical aspects of the ceramic facilities, program planning, managing employees and artists, and building community in the studios.

Pullen and Sertoma Arts Centers are dynamic arts and craft education facilities and maker spaces with studios, galleries, and classrooms. The centers support visual and craft artists of all ages and levels of experience through classes, workshops, exhibitions, and community events.

About The Arts Center
Pullen Arts Center features two large professionally equipped ceramics studios. Roughly 4,800 square feet, Pullen’s ceramics studios include 20 wheels, three slab rollers, three extruders, seven electric kilns, one gas kiln, eight clay bodies, and 60 unique glazes.

Sertoma Arts Center features one large professionally equipped ceramics studio. Nearly 3,000 sq ft, Sertoma’s ceramic studio includes 13 wheels, slab roller and extruder, five electric kilns, one gas kiln, eight clay bodies, and 61 unique glazes.

These spaces are available year-round for independent use by member artists and for educational use. The ceramics program offers workshops, studio intensives, and classes in handbuilding, wheel throwing, and glazing techniques at a range of entry points. Youth, teen, adult, and family studio-based programs are designed and led by professional teaching artists.

In 2022, Sertoma Arts Center was included as a project in Raleigh’s Parks Bond Referendum. This allocated funds to significantly renovate and expand the facility, including the addition of a second ceramics studio with expanded programming. The Ceramics Studio Manager will play a key role in the design of the ceramic studio and technical areas, consulting with the design team to reimagine functionality and accessibility of the spaces.

About You
The ideal candidate for this position will be an energetic, creative, self-motivated, organized, customer service-oriented artist with extensive knowledge of ceramic equipment and community arts education.

Successful candidates will be ceramicists/artists with current and significant experience with studio processes, materials, and technology and a commitment to maintaining an open, accessible, and safe learning environment. Raleigh Arts is looking for a creative, collaborative and hands-on team member with experience working with artists, supervising employees, and the ability to complete administrative duties essential to creative studio programming.

Successful candidates will also have a professional level knowledge of contemporary art theory and history, artistic media, and arts program administration, be skilled in research, analysis, evaluation and proficiency in software applications including Microsoft and Google platforms.

While this position primarily works daytime shifts, some night and weekend work may be required. Flexibility in schedule to meet the needs of the studio is required.

• Oversee operations for all ceramics studios at Pullen and Sertoma Arts Centers.
• Responsible for procuring and maintaining equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Manage kiln firing schedules and ensure work is fired for membership artists, classes, and workshops.
• Oversee all artmaking equipment across all ceramic (pottery) studios including pottery wheels, extruders, slab rollers, electric and gas kilns.
• Cultivate a welcoming studio environment for students and members, engaging both visitors, students, and more than 700 artist members.
• Plan and implement a comprehensive studio arts program for all ages and abilities that includes classes, camps, workshops, special activities, and events.
• Develop educational studio programming for both Arts Centers, working with Center directors to build new programs like workshops, artist residencies and partnerships, and identifying opportunities to bring the ceramics studio out to the community.
• Research and assess community needs and evaluate programs and activities to provide recommendations for program or process enhancements.
• Build partnerships with teaching artists and studio artists to create classes, workshops, and events for artists of all levels and build pathways to support artists in skill progression from beginner through professional capacity building.
• Responsible for the preparation of chemicals and equipment for use in classes and studios. Develop training programs and ensure that PT teaching artists, recreation leaders, and studio staff have appropriate training on the use of chemicals and equipment. Manage communications about safety and practices through trainings, staff meetings, orientations, and tours. Identify opportunities for training in SRIS and DEI matters to make sure the studios and programs are spaces of belonging for all participants.
• Develop and manage safety protocols for the more than 800 studio-specific art-making chemicals.
• Ensure equipment is in good working order and oversee routine safety inspections. Implement and update studio member and student safety procedures. •
• Prepare and submit program budget requests, tracks expenditures and manage procurement card usage.
• Perform administrative management support related to assigned area which may include: updating and maintaining scheduling information; assisting with program registrations; planning and implementing program curriculum or itineraries; monitoring expenditures, financial records and budgets; processing payments; monitoring vendor contracts; maintaining program or facility-related files and information.

Education and Experience
Bachelor's degree in Parks and Recreation or directly related field and up to one year of related experience may be preferred.

OR

An equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation.

Licensing/Certifications

• Valid North Carolina Class C Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record.
• Within 2 months of starting, candidate must successfully complete First Aid/CPR training and chemical spill training (training provided).

Preferred Education/Experience

• Five years of experience working in ceramics in a community studio
• Three years teaching ceramic classes
• Two years of supervisor experience
• Master's degree in the arts or arts education and considerable experience programming and managing studio ceramics programs

The position requires:

• Extensive knowledge of kiln programming, utilization, and maintenance of the following equipment: electric wheels, clay extruders, slab rollers, Skutt electric kilns, gas kilns.
• Extensive knowledge of ceramic studio materials and chemicals. • Supervisory and communications skills.
• Skill and knowledge of DEIA practices, Universal Access and Universal Design. Professional-level experience managing a community ceramics studio and maintaining an open, accessible and safe learning environment.
• Experience with arts education across a broad range of skill levels.
• Thorough knowledge of the ceramics and fine craft fields.
• Proven time-management skills, organizational skills, attention to detail, the ability to multitask, coordinate current and long-range projects and meet deadlines.
• Experience with and knowledge of contemporary ceramics processes including: Loading and firing electric and gas kilns
• Mixing clay and glazes
• Wheel throwing, handbuilding and slip casting techniques
• Glazing and surface decoration techniques