Employment Opportunities at Highpoint Center for Printmaking

Studio Assistant

$16/hr
16–20 hours per week, Part-Time Employee
One year
Applications due: May 15, 2025

Reports to Lead Printer(s); supports Assistant Printer, Director of Artist Programs, Gallery Director.

Work is performed onsite and scheduled between Monday–Friday from 9 am to 5 pm and every other Saturday from Noon to 4 pm, with occasional evening and weekend events. We work with assistants to create a regular schedule that may accommodate additional commitments.

Highpoint Center for Printmaking is dedicated to advancing the art of printmaking. We create pathways for artists, learners, and the public to increase their understanding and appreciation of printmaking through artistic and educational programs, a cooperative studio, a public gallery, and collaborative publishing opportunities, in alignment with our strategic plan and organizational values.

Summary

The Studio Assistant position was  developed in response to feedback received from former Studio Interns to enhance the professional and educational value of the position. The Studio Assistantship provides an introduction to gain experience in the different facets of arts organizational work that support the printmaking ecosystem. This includes professional print publication, gallery and exhibition logistics, supporting and maintaining a cooperative printmaking studio, and playing an active role in the greater printmaking community. 

The ideal candidate is familiar with printmaking and is looking for an entry point to gain experience in an arts non-profit to build a diverse skill set. Assistants will come into the position with educational and professional goals and after a year-long experience, leave with a strong foundation to pursue multiple career pathways in printmaking. 

The first three months of the Assistantship involve becoming familiar with the studio and equipment, workflow and project timelines, and day-to-day tasks of the print shop. By the end of the position, Assistants will print proofs of HPE projects and help with print finalization and curation along with general printing support, exhibition installation/deinstallation, shipping of prints, and various administrative tasks relevant to the different areas of an arts non-profit organization.

Responsibilities 

Assistance with Professional Print Publication (65%)

  • Engage with and assist the Highpoint Editions (HPE) visiting artists

  • Assist the Lead Printers and Assistant Printer to help complete Highpoint Editions publications:

    • Prepare materials including printing matrices, film positives, inks, paper, etc.

    • Assist with the printing of proofs and editions (i.e. handling paper, sponging for lithography projects, etc.)

    • Help to curate, tear down, and finalize published prints

    • Facilitate documentation and storage of prints

Gallery Sitting and Exhibition Care (15%)

  • Serve as Highpoint staff front-desk representative (4 hours/every other week)

  • Greet guests and answer questions about the current exhibit, classes, events, co-op memberships, and donor levels

  • Pack and prepare prints for shipping

  • Exhibition installation and maintenance

  • Attend and help with special events and exhibitions as needed

General Facilities Operation (15%)

  • Cleaning, organize, restock, and maintain the Highpoint Editions studio and cooperative studio

  • Maintain equipment and build studio fixtures as needed

Administrative and Team Work (5%)

  • Research and summarize updates for news on Highpoint Editions Artists

  • Data entry and inventory management as needed by the Director of Artist Programs and Gallery Director

Desired Qualifications: Education, Experiences, Knowledge, and Abilities

Assistants must be able to commit to one year for a minimum of 16 scheduled hours per week. The best Studio Assistant is not always the person with the most printmaking experience! Print experience is helpful, but dependability, initiative, attention to detail, organizational skills, and a learning mindset are paramount. Also, strong interpersonal skills, an interest in printmaking practices, and the ability to work well with others are essential.

Working Conditions/ Physical Demands

  • Work is performed entirely on site and in person

  • Requires frequent lifting, carrying, or otherwise moving and positioning objects weighing up to 40 pounds 

  • Requires the ability to stand for several hours at a time

  • Requires bending, stooping, and crouching on a regular basis

  • Requires occasional use of a telephone and computer to provide information in a clear and understandable manner

  • Studio Assistants must have reliable means to travel to and from Highpoint, but a car is not required

Benefits and Incentives

  • Sick and safe time: 1 hour for every 30 hours worked 

  • Free classes at Highpoint Center for Printmaking, pending availability (up to $400 per class value)

  • Membership to Highpoint’s Printmaking Cooperative ($2,100 annual value). Start date based on printmaking experience with the option for on-the-job education/ training.

  • Discounted monthly rate for co-op studio access for one full year following completion of the assistantship

  • One Highpoint Editions print per year, the selection of which is based on availability (value varies by year and selection, estimated $3,000 value)

  • The opportunity to work with and learn from accomplished artists and professionals

To Apply

Please email jobs@highpointprintmaking.org with the following: 

  • A cover letter including:

  • Your related experience;

  • Familiarity with and interest in Highpoint Center for Printmaking and our mission.

  • Your educational and professional goals and how this assistantship will help you to achieve them
    (1 page max.) 

  • A resume of professional and relevant experiences (2 page max.) 

The following will be requested from position finalists:

  • Two professional references upon notification of the interview

Timeline for Applicants:

May 1, 2025 Application opens
May 16, 2025 Applications due
May 30, 2025 Finalists Notified (references requested)
June 5 to 6, 2025 Initial interviews scheduled, over Google Meet or Zoom for 30 min.,
June 12 to 13, 2025 Follow-up interviews scheduled, in-person for 60 min.
July 1, 2025, Approximate start date
June 31, 2026, Approximate end date

For questions about this position, please contact jobs@highpointprintmaking.org

Highpoint is a federally registered, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization. Highpoint is an equal-opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, ability, genetic information, pregnancy or age.

© Highpoint Center for Printmaking