Job Description

About SAIC

For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.

About the Department

The Department of Painting and Drawing at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is home to a diverse range of conceptual and material approaches to art-making. It is an open, pluralistic community where experimentation and the study of historical and cultural discourses are foregrounded. The Materials StudioLab is the School’s central hub for painting materials and technical study where students research historical techniques and dive into modern painting. StudioLab houses a pigment library to create unique paints and a historic materials archive.

Under the direction of the Assistant Director of Painting & Drawing Facilities, maintain the Painting & Drawing Department’s facilities including the Materials & Techniques StudioLab. Provide technical support to PTDW community and advise on associated materials and resources on a day-to-day basis including material safety best practices.

Responsibilities

Staff Administration

• Hire, train, supervise, and provide leadership for student employees working in PTDW StudioLab in coordination with the Assistant Director of Painting & Drawing Facilities. Submit work authorizations and approve timesheets.
• Coordinate student worker schedule to maintain open lab hours for authorized students and enforce best safety practices.

Equipment and Facilities Management

• Support PTDW Department facilities with a focus on PTDW StudioLab upkeep and daily functionality.
• Maintains safety standards and provides oversight to ensure that safe material handling and studio conduct are enforced at all times.
• Manage inventory of StudioLab materials and recommend purchases to support class demonstrations. Maintain inventory and circulate tools and resources using IRFM departmental protocols.
• Monitor and maintain technical equipment and facilitate repair and maintenance of assets in PTDW facilities.
• Create and maintain content for PTDW StudioLab social media sites.

Curricular Support

• Learn, understand and perform necessary recipes and procedures to prepare materials for faculty demonstrations and student use.
• Coordinate with faculty to ensure equipment and materials are prepared and ready for use in class demonstrations.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree with study in visual art or BFA preferred
• 1–2 years of relevant experience in a visual arts studio, university art department or similar environment preferred
• Knowledgeable about material and chemical safety issues in contemporary painting
• Strong communication and organizational skills, attention to detail

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift 40 lbs.
• Must be able to stand 70% sit 30%
• Must work occasional evening and weekend hours

Compensation & Benefits

Please click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Hiring Range: $45,000 - $53,690

The expected hiring range is an estimated amount for positions based on the grade. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

• Benefits
• PTO Overview
• Job Classification: Exempt
• Employment Category: Full time
• Grade Level: 6

If you are accessing this listing from a third party, not all links to salary and benefits information may work. Please visit our career page at saic/artic.edu/employment for complete information

Application Instructions

Please submit your resume and cover letter to be considered for this position.

Union

This position is part of a bargaining unit represented by AFSCME Council 31.

Accessibility

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page:

Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at apply_help@artic.edu