EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES AT MCBA:

STUDIO MONITORS

Minnesota Center for Book Arts is creating four new Studio Monitor positions, to be awarded for a one-year commitment. These Studio Monitors will supervise regular Open Studio sessions, as well as other duties. The positions are unpaid, but include free studio access and other benefits. Detailed job descriptions and benefits are listed below for each of the various studio areas.

To apply for these positions, email the following to MC Hyland, Adult Programs Manager (mchyland@mnbookarts.org) by Friday, April 30, 2010:

• Resume
• Three to five images of recent work (digital files, no larger than 72dpi)
• A brief statement detailing your training in the area you are applying for
• Three references (include contact information)

Please do not mail hard copies of your application materials. MCBA will notify applicants by May 15 of the status of their application. While current members of the MCBA community are welcome to apply, one goal of these new positions is to grow the organization, specifically by offering emerging book artists an opportunity to both teach and learn in MCBA's studios.

Studio Monitor: Letterpress

The Letterpress Studio Monitor will be responsible for supervising three to four Tuesday-night Letterpress Open Studios each month over a 12-month period which will begin June 2010 and end May 2011. After receiving training on the use and maintenance of each of the presses available in the studio, the Monitor will be expected to aid Open Studio attendees with the basic functioning and troubleshooting of these presses, as well as to perform some basic studio maintenance duties, such as oiling presses and refilling solvent bottles. The studio monitor will report any issues that arise with MCBA presses to the Artistic Programs Support Coordinator.

In exchange for this service, the Monitor will receive free training in the use and maintenance of a variety of press types; 24-hour studio access, and storage space for the one year period of the position. The Studio Monitor may also take part in paid teaching opportunities, including as an assistant in Advanced Letterpress workshops.

Desired candidates will possess:

• An intermediate or advanced understanding of letterpress printing, including typesetting, polymer plate, and various image-making techniques.
• Close familiarity with at least one type of press (preferably cylinder or platen), as well as at least basic familiarity with other types of printmaking.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills and an interest in arts education.

Studio Monitor: Screenprint and Letterpress

The Screenprint and Letterpress Studio Monitor will be responsible for supervising three to four Tuesday-night Screenprint and/or Letterpress Open Studios each month over a 12-month period which will begin June 2010 and end May 2011. The Monitor will be expected to aid Open Studio attendees with darkroom and printing setup, as well as to perform some basic studio maintenance duties, such as cleaning screens and filling solvents. In addition, this Monitor may be called upon to assist in letterpress Open Studios if screenprint open studios are not filled. The studio monitor will report any issues that arise with MCBA equipment to the Artistic Programs Support Coordinator.

In exchange for this service, the Monitor will receive free training in the use and maintenance of a variety of presses, 24-hour studio access, and storage space for the one year period of the position. The Studio Monitor may also have access to paid teaching opportunities.

Desired candidates will possess:

• An intermediate or advanced understanding of screenprinting, including printing from photo-emulsion and preparation of digital outputs for transparencies.
• An introductory or better level of letterpress printing familiarity. (Completion of Letterpress I at MCBA would meet this requirement.)
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills and an interest in arts education.

Studio Monitor: Paper and Marbling

The Paper and Marbling Studio Monitor will be responsible for supervising monthly Saturday Open Paper or Marbling Studios each month over a 12-month period which will begin June 2010 and end May 2011. Paper and Marbling Open Studios will be offered in alternating months. Supervision responsibilities for these studios include setup (including beating fiber, preparing carrageenan, and applying alum to marbling papers), supervision during the open studio day itself, and cleanup/emptying of paper drying racks in a timely fashion. In addition to these tasks, the monitor will perform some basic studio maintenance duties, such as greasing paper beaters and filling supplies. The studio monitor will report any issues that arise with MCBA beaters, hydraulic presses, or other equipment to the Artistic Programs Support Coordinator.

In exchange for this service, the Monitor will receive free training in the use and maintenance of MCBA's beaters, 24-hour studio access, and storage space for the one year period of the position. The Studio Monitor may also have access to paid teaching opportunities.

Desired candidates will possess:

• An intermediate or advanced understanding of both papermaking and marbling:
  For papermaking, this knowledge should include beater operation, sheet formation, the use of a hydraulic press, various drying methods, and studio maintenance issues.
  For marbling, this knowledge should include carrageenan mixing, application of alum to papers, use of appropriate inks, and pattern formation.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills and an interest in arts education.

Studio Monitor: Bookbinding

The Bookbinding Studio Monitor will be responsible for supervising three to four Tuesday-night Bindery Open Studios (one of which will include a Cutting Equipment Training) each month over a 12-month period which will begin June 2010 and end May 2011. The Studio monitor will supervise the use of the cutting equipment, backing press, KwikPrint and other bindery equipment, as well as assist Open Studio attendees with this equipment as needed. After receiving training on the use and maintenance of the various cutting equipment available in the studio, the Monitor will be also be expected to train others with the basic use of this equipment. The monitor will also perform some basic studio maintenance duties, such as refilling glue containers and sharpening scissors. The studio monitor will report any issues that arise with MCBA equipment (including dull blades, off-square board shears, etc.) to the Artistic Programs Support Coordinator.

In exchange for this service, the Monitor will receive free training in the use and maintenance of MCBA's bindery equipment, 24-hour studio access, and storage space for the one year period of the position. The Studio Monitor may also have access to paid teaching opportunities.

Desired candidates will possess:

• An intermediate or advanced understanding of bookbinding, including nonadhesive, case and leather bindings, and the tools appropriate to each.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills and an interest in arts education.
• Experience with bindery equipment such as the KwikPrint is desired, but not required.

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