Studio Programs Technician

The mission of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is to welcome all to celebrate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist and arts patron Alice Walton, Crystal Bridges is a public non-profit charitable organization. Job Description: Position Title: Studio Programs Technician Position Type: Full-time FLSA Classification: Exempt Division: Learning & Engagement; Department: Public Programs Reports to: Studio Programs Manager Date Reviewed: July 15, 2025 About Crystal Bridges & The Momentary: Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American heritage and artistic possibilities. Founded by Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission. The Momentary is a contemporary art space that opened to the public on February 22, 2020, in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas. The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a ‘living room’ where community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. You belong here: make the most of this moment. Position Summary: The Studio Programs Technician is responsible for the day-to-day operation, maintenance, and safety of the ceramics and digital tool studios while also supporting the broader studio programs across disciplines. This position plays a vital role in ensuring that equipment, tools, and materials are well-maintained and ready to support a wide range of classes, workshops, and open studio use. In addition to overseeing ceramics processes—including clay preparation, glaze mixing, kiln operation, and studio upkeep—the Technician helps monitor and maintain other shared studio spaces and equipment as needed. The Technician also serves as a teaching artist, regularly leading classes and workshops for a variety of audiences. This role also includes managing the digital tool studio, which houses 3D printers, a laser cutter, and other specialized printers. The Technician ensures these tools are properly maintained, calibrated, and safely operated, while supporting users in their creative and technical exploration. Responsibilities include troubleshooting hardware and software issues, maintaining consumables and materials, and developing safety protocols and user guidelines for digital fabrication processes. Success in this role requires embracing innovation, a growth mindset, and collaboration, along with a keen understanding of studio practices for all audiences and awareness of cultural trends. The role champions inclusivity and community engagement, encouraging joyful learning, diverse perspectives, and social connections. Close collaboration with internal colleagues, artists, volunteers, and community partners is crucial, and flexibility to work evenings and weekends is essential for program scheduling. The ideal candidate is skilled in ceramic practices, experienced in community or educational settings, and committed to creating a safe, welcoming, and inspiring environment for hands-on learning. Principal Responsibilities: Maintain and monitor the organization, safety, and functionality of all studios, with an emphasis on day-to day operations, equipment, and materials in the ceramics and digital tool studios. Ensure all digital fabrication tools are properly maintained, calibrated, and safely operated; manage consumables and troubleshoot hardware/software issues as needed. Supervise teaching artists presenting select programs in Crystal Bridges studios. Develop and teach select programs on the museum’s roster of studio programs. Collaborate with the Manager of Studio Programs on planning artmaking engagements for large parties and festivals, as needed. Develop engagement activities to activate CBMO spaces and drive consistent guest traffic when programming is not occurring. Work closely with the Community Engagement team on co-hosted partner programs that encompass artmaking. Work closely with the Studio Program Manager on both informal and formal assessments for all programs. Draft marketing copy for assigned programs. Additional Responsibilities: Collaborate with other entities across Art & Wellness Enterprises, as needed. Work with guest artists and consultants. Supervise work study students, interns, and volunteers as required. Assist with preparation of budgets for Studio Programs operations. Perform additional duties as assigned. Qualifications and Skills: Bachelor’s degree in ceramics or studio art. Ability to teach ceramics and studio-based classes in visual arts (beginner to advanced level). Experience in planning and presenting public educational programing for large groups in a museum, academic, or community setting. Knowledge of the visual arts and museum pedagogy; knowledge of or willingness to learn about nature, education, and architecture. Highest ethics as they relate to all aspects of museum practices and confidentiality. Excellent verbal and written communication skills. Outstanding customer service skills. Ability to work independently, as well as within a team. Ability to work frequent weekends, occasional evenings, and some holidays as needed. A good sense of humor and calm demeanor under pressure. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications. Ability to use or willingness to learn museum applications including Asana. Valid driver’s license with clean driving record; willing and able to travel for program development and facilitation. Physical Demands and Work Environment The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Physical Demands: Regularly, while performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to travel independently regionally and in communities served. The position requires working at a desk and utilizing a computer and a telephone, good eye/hand coordination, bending and stretching, standing and sitting, and the ability to move around galleries, studios, and throughout the museum. The employee must be able to lift objects weighing 50 pounds and travel on outdoor trails. Visual acuity to review written materials is required. Work Environment: Work will be performed in an office environment, art studios, museum galleries, outdoor trails, and in communities served. Some evening and weekend hours are required. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the museum work environment is typically low to moderate. All offers of employment are contingent on your successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, you will need to provide proper identification verifying your eligibility to work in the United States. Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. Art and Wellness Enterprises (AWE) provides professional support services in the areas of campus management, communications, finance, human resources and technology for these non-profits founded by Alice Walton: Alice L. Walton Foundation is a grant-making institution working to enhance the quality of life for individuals by providing access to offerings that improve well-being and create diverse and inclusive communities. Alice L. Walton School of Medicine is a four-year, medical degree-granting program that builds on foundational sciences and clinical practices with a compassionate, inclusive, and whole-person approach to care. Pending accreditation, the school will welcome its inaugural class in 2025. Art Bridges Foundation works to get great works of American art out of storage and into communities. Through partnerships with museums of all sizes across the United States, it creates and supports arts programs that educate, inspire, and deepen engagement with local audiences. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art is a museum offering free admission to a world-class collection of American art, stunning architecture and five miles of sculpture and walking trails. Momentary is a satellite contemporary art space to Crystal Bridges. This adaptive reuse project turned a decommissioned cheese factory into a place for visual and performing arts, festivals, artists-in-residence, culinary experiences, and more. Heartland Whole Health Institute is a non-profit that addresses physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being by working with health systems, employers, and communities to redesign health care delivery. 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