Visual Arts Studio Assistant Fiber Arts Instructor

Who We Are

Since 1996, Interact Center for Visual and Performing Arts’s mission to create art that challenges perceptions of disability has opened doors for artists with disabilities and audiences eager to experience their work. Artists might never have seen the arts as a life choice, but now see the arts as essential to their humanity. With over 100 artists working in theater and studio arts, Interact is multi-cultural, intergenerational, and embraces the entire spectrum of disability labels.

Why You’ll Love Working Here

We were the first – and remain the only – combined visual and performing arts organization nationally or internationally to offer the full-time, daily practice of professional level theater and visual arts to support the creative growth of artists with disabilities. Our work is acclaimed for being challenging as well as entertaining, and we are the go-to place for theater and gallery audiences who come for our mission and come back again for the quality of our work.

Wages

$22.00 - $23.00 per hour depending on qualifications and level of experience

Benefits

•  Paid vacation and sick time
•  12 paid holidays per year
• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Long-term disability insurance – the employer pays the premiums
• Employer-paid basic life insurance with the option for additional coverage paid by the employee
• Voluntary benefits: Accident, hospital indemnity, critical illness, short-term disability insurance
• Interact offers a retirement plan for its employees where employees can make contributions to their account.

Because Interact is a member with Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities (MACC) who partners with St. Mary’s University, Interact employees and their spouses are also eligible for the following benefits at St. Mary’s University:

• Discounted tuition for Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctorate programs
• Professional development opportunities
• Access to advancement (internships, job placement, field practice)

Schedule

This is a regular, full-time position that will be fully in-person. The schedule will be primarily on weekdays with occasional evenings and weekends as needed.

Job Summary

Interact is hiring a Visual Arts Studio Assistant Fiber Arts Instructor to serve as a fiber arts-focused instructor for an estimated 80 artists enrolled in the Interact Visual Arts program. This position will also serve as an artistic advocate for a sub-set of 10-12 artists within the program.

Responsibilities

• Proactively assist in the facilitation of daily artistic programming with department teams of other artists.
• Participate in implementing studio activities, including art exhibitions, staffing art gallery during shows, community art events, or field trips.
• Assist client artists with their daily artistic needs.
• Participate in all required social services and state licensing training; follow all policies and procedures to ensure clients are always in a safe and supportive environment.
• Candidates must be willing to assist clients with personal needs, including toileting, if required.
• Work retail gallery shifts for special events outside of regular work hours with hourly compensation provided (Fundraising Events, Interact Performances and Exhibitions, Holiday Art Sale, etc.).

What You Bring

• A strong background in Fiber Arts is required.
• Previous experience working in a fully equipped art studio is preferred.
• Experience in the social services or disability community is highly preferred; knowledge of ASL a plus.
• Candidates ideally will have some experience in client care for the vulnerable population.
• We prioritize candidates that have active personal arts practice, as this best upholds Interact’s organizational values.
• The ability to work collaboratively as a part of a team environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent administrative and communication skills.
• A valid driver’s license, access to reliable transportation, and the ability to pass a Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) background check. Please note that if the license was not issued in the state of Minnesota, you have 60 days after becoming a Minnesota resident in which to apply for your Minnesota driver's license or permit.
• Applicants must comply with and pass a Minnesota Department of Human Services background check (Rule 11).

Diversity and open expression are fundamental to the work of Interact Center for Visual and Performing Arts. We are passionate about building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working environment where everyone can belong. Every member of our team enriches our work by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design, and deliver solutions. We welcome everyone to apply, especially those individuals who are underrepresented in our sector: individuals who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQI and gender fluid or gender nonconforming, individuals with disabilities (both seen and unseen), veterans, people of any age or family status. We encourage you to apply even if you feel like you don't fit 100% of the technical requirements. Equal Opportunity Employer: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ancestry, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, familial status, disability, age, marital status, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, status with regard to public assistance, criminal history (justice-impacted status), housing or homelessness status, height, or weight.

Our organization has a partnership with Metropolitan Alliance of Connected Communities (MACC) to provide administrative services including management of the hiring process. If you apply for this position, you may see references to MACC in some online materials.

Interact participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. See E-Verify’s official poster at https://e-verify.uscis.gov/web/media/resourcesContents/E-Verify_Participation_Poster_ES.pdf. See E-Verify’s Right to Work poster at https://www.e-verify.gov/sites/default/files/everify/posters/IER_RightToWorkPoster Eng_Es.pdf.

Salary : $22 - $23