Workshop & Studio Assistant at University of the Witwatersrand

Brief Description        
The Department of Fine Arts is seeking a Workshop and Studio Assistant. The successful applicant will be employed as a Workshop and Studio Assistant to support the Fine Arts teaching program. The role is focused on providing dedicated support to staff members and students in sculpture, painting, drawing, and installation, as part of the Fine Arts undergraduate and post-graduate degrees. The Workshop and Studio Assistant proactively provides support to the teaching program by preparing and managing studio and workshop spaces and equipment; and by assisting with sculpture making processes. The incumbent interacts daily with students, staff and administration within the Department and School.

The main purpose of this position/job is:

• To provide hands-on assistance in the sculpture program, and in the Fine Arts studios in general, including painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, and post graduate studios
• To ensure that all studio and workshop tasks associated with the Fine Arts degrees are handled efficiently and effectively;
• To provide support to academic and support staff members of the Department of Fine Arts in the delivery of the academic programme in studio and workshop spaces;
• To fully support the program through their work in keeping studios functioning at a high level of efficiency;
• To contribute to and promote the fine arts programme in a professional manner
• To ensure the professional handling and running of the workshop and studio spaces?

Key Duties:

• To assist with the preparation of studio and workshop spaces for teaching;
• To prepare materials and equipment necessary for the delivery of the academic programme, for example, those related to sculpture (clay, Plaster of Paris, Ciment Fondu, armatures, etc.) and painting projects (easels, boards etc);
• To support the teaching program with their hard skills in one or more of the following: casting, mould-making, welding, ceramics, carpentry; exhibition installation
• Cutting, measuring and drilling, using hand tools and specialised tools in the workshop;
• Taking responsibility for the lockers in studios and workshops;
• Ordering and monitoring stocks of materials and studio/workshop functions and informing line manager and administrative staff of needs;
• Simple repairs and maintenance of studio or workshop equipment and spaces;
• Knowledgeable about storing of equipment and materials;
• To act as the Occupational Health and Safety Officer in the Fine Arts Department

Core Competencies:

• Hard skills in one or more of the following: casting, mould-making, welding, ceramics, carpentry, exhibition installation
• Computer literacy
• Experience in arts studio and/or workshop, i.e. an understanding of arts practices, and the daily running of a studio / workshop / foundry / casting works / ceramics studio / arts installation, is a distinct advantage;
• Excellent inter-personal and communication skills, both spoken and written;
• Excellent time-management skill;
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills.

Education. Qualification and Experience:

• Matric
• 3-5 years relevant experience in any of the abovementioned studio / workshop environments
• Post matric qualification and skills certificates in a relevant area would be an advantage.

        
How To Apply        

• To apply, submit a letter of motivation - clearly indicating which position you are applying for, detailed CV and the names and contact details of three referees (incl. e-mail addresses).
• Internal employees are invited to apply directly on Oracle by following the path: iWits /Self Service application/”Apply for a job”

Closing Date: 30th April 2020