Art and Art History Ceramics Technical Assistant

The student employee will assist in, monitor, and help maintain the Grinnell College Department of Art Ceramics Studio (BCA 25) approximately 6 hours per week for the 2026-27 Academic Year. The employee assists the instructor of ART 240 Ceramics as instructed. In addition to BCA 25, the student employee may at times also be asked to assist Ceramics students in the Computer Lab (BCA 222), Digital Studio (BCA 128B), or BCA 54 for specific ceramics assignments involving digital tools.

The student assistant will monitor general studio supplies, resupply, and organization, and, if time allows, be available to consult with Ceramics course students as they develop their projects in the studios. The assistant will also help the Ceramics instructor with various tasks in the ceramic studio, including preparing demonstrations, firing kilns, moving greenware, bisqueware, and glaze ware, and lifting multiple objects weighing approximately 50 pounds.

The student employee will communicate with the faculty instructor on supply needs, work schedule, and student usage. This position has the potential to be held for the full academic year. Students may reapply for the position each year.

Applicants who have taken ART 240 Ceramics previously are encouraged to apply, but other students currently taking ART 240 and/or with other ceramics experiences or 3D experience (including digital 3D) are also eligible. Priority is given to Art Majors.

The monitor must be proficient or willing to gain proficiency in the ceramic materials, processes, and techniques taught in the ART 240 Ceramics course. This may include hand-building techniques, preparing/recycling clay, making slip, mixing plaster molds, various mold- making and casting techniques, various surface treatments, loading, firing, and unloading kilns, use of VR, 3D modeling, 3D printing, etc. The ideal applicant is interested in sculptural ceramics and aware of some approaches to contemporary ceramic art. The applicant must be able to communicate effectively and professionally with students and be able to assist students with problems while keeping appropriate boundaries for who is producing the work. At times, the student employee may be asked to help move heavy supplies such as equipment, clay, and plaster.