Art Department Studio Assistant (Part-Time)

About North Park
Founded in 1891, North Park University is a Christian university affiliated with the Evangelical Covenant Church of over 3,200 students from around the country and the world. Located for over 125 years on the land of the Miami and Potawatomi tribes in what is today Chicago’s northside, NPU has recently been designated a Hispanic Serving Institution and is committed to serving diverse populations. Elevating North Park University’s core distinctives of Christian, city-centered, and intercultural, NPU values diversity among its Faculty and is committed to building a racially and culturally diverse intellectual community, and strongly encourages the nomination and candidacies of persons who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color regardless of gender.

North Park University is located in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago, one of the most ethnically diverse zip codes in the United States. It is nine miles from downtown Chicago. The North Park campus has often been referred to as an oasis in the heart of the city – a place where students from urban, rural, and suburban backgrounds alike can call home. And all of this within the major metropolitan backdrop of Chicago: one of the world’s largest and most diversified economies, renowned for its museums and music, and voted best large city in the U.S. for four years in a row by Condé Nast Traveler.

Mission

The mission of North Park University is to prepare students for lives of significance and service through education in the liberal arts, professional studies, and theology.

Vision

Building on our core institutional identity—Christian, city-centered, intercultural—our vision is to create a university of uncommon character and enduring excellence, where faith, learning, and service meet.

Position Summary

The studio assistance provides faculty and student support for the woodshop, sculpture, printmaking and painting areas in Wilson Hall. The technician will support faculty’s curricular needs and provide safety training for the use of wood shop equipment, art making tools, and kiln. This position is subject to change based on curricular needs and scheduling. The weekly schedule is flexible but does require mainly evening and weekend availability. Compensation is $30 an hour, approximately 10 hours a week.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Supervise and mentor students during regular open studio hours and scheduled studio appointments. (min of 8 hours per week)

• Instruct students in safety programs and procedures to ensure the proper use of tools, equipment, and machinery during open studio hours.
• Assist with the organization and inventory of studio supplies
• Coordinate with faculty to support students needing additional assistance outside of traditional class instruction time, including students with accommodations.
• Support faculty with student retention and success.
• Provide assistance with student gallery installations as needed.

Required:

• MFA in Studio Art or relevant work experience will be considered.
• One to three years of experience in a variety of woodworking, model making, and art processes.
• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Able to work effectively with a diverse student, staff and faculty populace of varying abilities.

Desired:

• Experience working with kilns.
• Previous experience teaching or assisting in an education or arts setting
• Previous experience in an academic setting

Physical Demands:

This position is very active and requires standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling and climbing all day. Must be able to climb ladders. The employee must frequently lift and move items over 50 pounds.

Not Applicable