Educational Art Technician, Media Arts (Temp)

Do you believe in the power of ideas, possibility, and in building community?

Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) is looking for an Educational Art Technician, Media Arts.

This is a 3-year temporary full-time position starting as soon as possible until June 30, 2026. Hours of work are 35 hours per week.

Why AUArts?

Alberta University of the Arts rests on the traditional Treaty 7 Territories of the Blackfoot people and in the spirit of our collective effort to promote reconciliation, we acknowledge the traditional territories, the oral and visual practices of the Blackfoot Confederacy, which includes Siksika, Piikani and Kainai, the Tsuut’ina, the Stoney Nakoda First Nations (Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney), Metis Nation Region III, and all those who make their homes in the Treaty 7 Region of Southern Alberta.

AUArts is a community of thinkers, shapers, makers, and risk takers. We are students, faculty, staff, and alumni rich in diversity of culture and thought, challenged to fearlessly explore what moves us, drives us, and implores us to see the world differently.

The Alberta University of the Arts offers its 1,100 students studio-based programming that leads to a Bachelor of Fine Arts, a Bachelor of Design, and an MFA in Craft Media. It has deep roots in Calgary’s creative community and will soon be celebrating its centennial.

The Opportunity

Competition #2324-SE-AT-06

Reporting to the Studio Manager, the Educational Art Technician (EAT) is responsible for the management and coordination of studio spaces, equipment, and materials, within the scope of institutional processes, procedures, and guidelines. This position provides class and individual student support advising and training students in collaboration with faculty. The EAT manages access and control in alignment with health & safety procedures to ensure a safe and effective learning environment. As a member of the Studio Management team; this role contributes to departmental goals including curriculum alignment, procurement, evergreening and maintenance of facilities, equipment, and material assets. The Educational Art Technician also provides incidental supervision to casual staff, represents the team in committees and projects, and supports organizational reporting.

Key Responsibilities:
Student & Program Support

• In collaboration with faculty, coordinate and deliver individual and class support in alignment with the curriculum including, in-class training and orientation to equipment, processes, and tools.
• Advise students on curriculum taught equipment, processes, and materials including agreed upon make-up training, in collaboration with faculty.
• Provides guidance and support for the installation of student work for critiques and exhibitions.
• Prepare spaces, equipment, and materials for class use throughout the semester, ensuring appropriate storage and clean-up of materials.
• Research and practice processes to support curriculum.
• Create and maintain online resources for supported studio spaces.
• Contribute to institutional and team projects such as workshops, studio clean-out, grad show, open house, gallery crawl, faculty research projects/ training and related events.

Studio Access and Control

• Coordinate and manage access to studio spaces, based on access and control documentation for all students, faculty, visiting artists and other users.
• Manage monitoring of studio spaces and ensure students and users comply with documented health and safety protocols; coordinate monitoring with casual staff and Security as needed.
• Provide orientation to users including non-credit instructors and visiting artists on the safe usage of spaces, equipment, processes and materials. Record and maintain training records.
• Manage equipment and materials, coordinate equipment loan services to users.
• Contribute to and update procedures, hazard assessments and other health and safety documents in consultation with faculty and OHS staff. Identify and update changes, flag process, health and safety or access concerns or risks.

Studio and Equipment Maintenance

• Configure and design spaces and equipment in consultation with faculty and OHS team, to support curriculum and ensure safe working practices.
• Inspect equipment for appropriate working conditions; perform or coordinate preventative maintenance and repair.
• Maintain equipment inventory, storage and safe disposal of tools, equipment, and materials.

Planning, Procurement & Administration

• Provide incidental guidance and supervision of casual staff, including training and orientation, recommending schedules, and answering operational questions.
• Cross-train with other team members to provide continuity and provide temporary replacement and back up for team positions.
• Participate and represent the Studio Management team on committees and task forces.
• Plan and coordinate the purchasing of furniture, equipment, materials and software including evergreen, capital purchases and annual supplies purchasing.
• Monitor, maintain and report on budgets, student fee schedules and other related reporting.
• Continue to develop knowledge of new or alternate equipment, processes and materials through research and/or art practice.

Qualifications:
The following qualifications have been determined to promote likelihood of success in the role. In alignment with the principles of inclusion, individuals with an alternative equivalent qualification may be considered.

Mandatory

• Four (4) Year Diploma or Baccalaureate Degree in fine art or design with a relevant subject area specialization.
• Three (3) to five (5) years’ experience as a practicing artist, and/or relevant experience in the arts sector, arts education, art technician or creative industries.
• Demonstrated expertise and knowledge of relevant studio practices for: Media Arts
• Demonstrated expertise and knowledge in creative coding.
• Demonstrated expertise and knowledge in electronics and microcontrollers.
• Demonstrated experience training and guiding others
• Proficient with Microsoft Office 365 applications (SharePoint/Teams), Adobe Creative Cloud
• Demonstrated experience managing, delivering work, and executing on projects
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with a wide range of stakeholders to communicate goals, progress and managing expectations.
• Must be able to lift 50lbs (23kg) and work in a variety of physical positions including reaching overhead, on ladders utilizing safe work practices.

Preferential

• Current First Aid Certification
• Knowledge of post-secondary legislation, policies, and procedures
• Experience
• Proficient in programming: Processing, Arduino, Max, P5.js, JavaScript, TouchDesigner, Python
• Additional proficiency in software: Unity, Blender, Fritzing
• Experience in machining (milling, drilling and lathe operations)
• Demonstrated expertise and knowledge of Audio–Visual production & post-production processes
• Experience in procurement, inventory management

As a member of the AUPE bargaining unit (Local 071/006), this full-time permanent position falls under a classification 7 (Seven). The starting annual salary is $60,584 – $70,000 dependent upon skills, education and experience.

What We Offer

• Annual vacation starting at 15 days, Personal days, and other types of leave
• Paid time off over the University closure from December 24 – 31
• Flexible work arrangements

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted as a single PDF document and include:

• Cover Letter
• Curriculum Vitae / Resume

Candidates will be required to create an account in order to submit your application. Please visit our Application FAQ’s page to ensure your application is complete prior to submission. Please upload your single document to the “Resume” section – do not upload any documents to the “Cover Letter” section.

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled or the search is closed. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Further information about AUArts is available on our website at www.auarts.ca.

AUArts is an equal opportunity employer and is strongly committed to fostering inclusion and belonging within our community.

We welcome applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

We recognize the legitimate and potential impact that career interruptions (maternity leaves, leave due to illness) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. Applicants are encouraged to identify in their application the impact that career interruptions may have had on their record of practice and achievement; this will be taken into consideration during the assessment process.

We are committed to making our recruitment, assessment, and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact hr@auarts.ca. All requests for accommodation will be treated confidentially
Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. All successful candidates must demonstrate that they are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The collection of personal information is for the purpose of determining eligibility and suitability for employment as authorized by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act, section 33(c). If you have any questions about the collection of your information, please contact our FOIP Coordinator at foip@auarts.ca.