Metals Studio Manager

Ox-Bow School of Art & Artists’ Residency (Ox-Bow) is an artist-built community dedicated to preserving time and space for arts education, research, practice, and connection for artists at every stage of their journey.

The Metals Studio Manager oversees the technical and operational aspects of Ox-Bow’s metals studio, which includes a large unheated studio with an adjoining open-air patio, featuring facilities and equipment for a wide range of metal-working and other sculptural processes, including MIG and TIG welding set-ups, blacksmithing, casting, and a range of other large and small tools. The Metals Studio hosts an average of six 2-week intensive classes each summer season, serving a total of approximately 70 for-credit and non-credit students; as well as supporting the practices of artists-in-residence, rental guests and workshop students. The Manager is responsible for day-to-day studio operations and materials management for metals and sculpture classes and studio members; as well as repairs and upgrades to equipment. The Studio Manager will ensure a quality, supportive learning environment for a range of skill levels and cultivate a community of learners. The Studio Manager is expected to build and maintain effective relationships with students, studio members, and faculty to gain their respect and trust; engage strong professionalism and communication skills; and be an enthusiastic ambassador of Ox-Bow’s mission and programming. The Studio Manager will work directly with the Campus Manager, Deputy Director, and Education Director to ensure an organized, cohesive working environment.

This is a residential position during the scheduled working season; room and board will be provided if the incumbent is not local to West Michigan. This seasonal, contract position runs from late-April through late-August, specific schedule to be determined. Schedule may include evening and weekend hours.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Physical Studio and Supply Management

General oversight of metals studio

Open and close studio at the beginning and end of the academic season

Set up equipment and studio prior to each class

Repair and maintain tools and equipment as needed

Implement and observe proper studio safety and sanitation protocols

Oversight of all tool operations

Maintain appropriate quantity of materials for each course

Reclaim appropriate leftover materials for reuse

Create and update safety and informational signage and install in studio

Make short-term studio facilities improvements and develop a vision for long-term studio facilities goals

Faculty / Student Assistance

Prior to each class, communicate with instructors about individual class needs

Order supplies for studio and classes as necessary

Orient faculty, teaching assistants, rental guests, and students on safe use of equipment, studio policies and procedures

Be available to instructors for class support

Post and maintain set Studio Manager hours

Teach private classes for rental guests

Coordinate and support private studio rentals

Administrative / Support

Manage metals studio budget

Maintain written physical inventory of all supplies and equipment

Maintain written documentation of studio processes and procedures

Act as a member of the campus studio management team, attending weekly group meetings and working collaboratively with other studio managers as necessary

Write end-of-season report assessing functionality of studio, studio budget, procedures, class success, and any recommendations for next season

Produce art items for promotional and fundraising purposes as assigned

Other project- and event-based support as determined by the Campus Manager and Deputy Director; including but not limited to office, housekeeping, maintenance, events, and hospitality support

EDUCATION/JOB EXPERIENCE/CERTIFICATIONS

BFA or MFA in metals or sculpture or the equivalent professional experience; with at least two years technician experience in a studio

Technical qualifications include proficiency in foundational metals and woodworking skills including welding and a range of basic construction

Proficiency with a range of tools and equipment

Metals studio management and/or teaching experience preferred

Must have a valid driver’s license and be comfortable driving pick-up trucks for work purposes

SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE AND QUALIFICATIONS

Strong communication, hospitality, and organizational skills

Express enthusiasm for Ox-Bow’s mission

A solid fluency in a range of foundational metals and sculpture skills

Ability to repair and maintain metals studio equipment

Keen sense of professionalism

Highly organized and reliable

A savvy multi-tasker

Finds inspiration in the distinctive or idiosyncratic

Comfortable taking creative risks

Thrives in dynamic environments

An eye for detail

Must be a team player, able to work independently as well as in a group

Must be innovative, reliable, patient, tenacious

Must be able to travel to and from Ox-Bow Saugatuck campus and/or various vendor locations in the West Michigan region

A passion for the arts and familiarity with artist communities preferred

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time and be able to move about in indoor and outdoor environments.

Operate computer, tools, and vehicles and must have the ability to use hands to move, set up, adjust, assemble, control, operate, or feel objects, tools or controls and reach with hands and arms.

Must be able to traverse uneven terrain and stairs

Constantly communicate and exchange information with team members and must be able to effectively communicate correct information

Read/comprehend, write, communicate orally, reasoning, and analytical abilities, and mental flexibility

Frequently move objects up to 50 pounds

The employee will routinely climb, bend, squat, kneel, crouch, and reach above shoulder

Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus to compare and distinguish administrative data.

Hearing ability to perceive the nature of sounds at normal speaking level with or without correction. Ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make discriminations in sound.

Work Environment:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly working in an indoor and outdoor work environment, at times in high heat and humidity.

Working environments will sometimes involve hazardous materials and loud noise

Requires wearing common protective and safety equipment

Position may involve extended work hours, weekends and holidays

Working At Ox-Bow

Ox-Bow School of Art and Artists’ Residency, founded in 1910, offers a wide range of opportunities for artists at all stages of their careers. Our campus is nestled on a peninsular interdunal wetland in Saugatuck, MI. With programs that target degree-seeking students, professional artists and those new to the field, Ox-Bow builds a supportive frame in which artists can push their practices in new directions. Ox-Bow’s community is expansive and ever-evolving. Working at Ox-Bow is a unique experience. Our staff consists of both year-round and seasonal positions. Some staff live on campus during their working months, while others commute or work remotely both within the state of Michigan and beyond. 

Working at Ox-Bow is working at the intersection of education, hospitality and culture. Together we seek to create a welcoming environment that nurtures the creative process while building community across generations, career stages, disciplines and identities. With over 100 years of arts education behind us, we have a vast community of alumni, including staff, students, resident artists, faculty, and community supporters, who love and care for Ox-Bow. Working at Ox-Bow is to become part of that community, and help sustain a historic non-profit arts organization for current and future generations of artists and art lovers. 

At Ox-Bow we have a vision to be a place where a diverse mix of talented people want to come, lend their creativity, and work in support of an evolving, yet historic, art school. We pride ourselves on thinking and acting creatively, and recognize that part of what makes us a unique place for both our staff and students, is the talent and dedication of our employees. 

Ox-Bow is committed to diversity and inclusion, we believe deeply in diversity of race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity and national origin and work to reflect that in our classrooms, programming, faculty, staff and board.

Equal Opportunity Employment 

Ox-Bow School of Art and Artists' Residency is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for its students, visitors, faculty, and staff, and to ensuring that educational and employment decisions are based on an individual’s abilities and qualifications. Ox-Bow does not tolerate unlawful discrimination based on race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or former military status, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law, in its programs and activities, public accommodations or employment practices.