Volunteering Opportunities at Foci MCGA

Volunteer and Time-Trade Studio Assistant Positions

Help us support Foci MCGA’s vision of creating a diverse community of dedicated makers, enthusiasts, seekers, and newcomers who feel welcomed and engaged at our glass arts center!

Volunteers

Foci MCGA values the many skills, talents, and perspectives that volunteers bring to our community. Our Volunteer Program provides individuals with opportunities to support Foci’s mission while contributing their time and expertise in meaningful ways. Volunteers serve without financial compensation, with the understanding that their efforts provide a donated benefit to the organization. Through volunteer service, individuals help strengthen our programs, events, and operations while building connections within the glass art community.

Job Duties may include

  • Daily upkeep of the gallery, including cleaning and organizing

  • Welcome customers and students to the studio and answer questions

  • Process gallery purchases and studio rental payments

  • Answer phone calls, emails, and check students in

  • Prepare class supplies/materials

  • Assist during Foci MCGA events such as open houses or fundraisers

Requirements

Volunteers work alongside Foci MCGA staff, artists, and community members to support programs, events, and day-to-day operations.

  • Be enthusiastic about supporting Foci MCGA's mission and community.

  • Be dependable and able to follow through on assigned commitments.

  • Be open to learning new skills and assisting with a variety of tasks.

  • Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

  • Ability to represent Foci MCGA professionally and respectfully.

  • Follow organizational policies and safety procedures.

  • Able to communicate effectively via email.

  • Availability varies depending on volunteer opportunities and organizational needs.

  • Hours: Flexible

Benefits

Volunteers play an important role in supporting Foci MCGA's mission while gaining a deeper connection to the glass art community. Through volunteer service, individuals have the opportunity to build relationships with artists, students, staff, and community members, gain insight into the operations of a nonprofit arts organization, develop new skills and experiences, and participate in exhibitions, public programs, special events, and fundraisers. Volunteer service also provides valuable networking opportunities and the satisfaction of contributing time and talents to help strengthen and sustain Minnesota's glass art community.

Application Procedure

Volunteer applicants may inquire about available opportunities by emailing the following material to the Admin & Community Relations Manager at tori.hansen@mnglassart.org.

  • Brief letter of intent describing why the applicant is interested in volunteering at Foci MCGA

  • Resume/CV (optional)

  • Potential availability

  • Submission Deadline: Applications are due 30 days prior to the desired start date.

Time-Trade Studio Assistants

Foci MCGA recognizes the financial barriers that exist for glass studio renters and artists. Our Time-Trade Studio Assistant program aims to minimize this barrier by giving renters an option to volunteer their time in exchange for free studio rental. This opportunity prioritizes students and those who are new to glass (less than four years of experience).

Job Duties may include

  • Daily upkeep of the studio and gallery, including cleaning, organizing, and maintenance

  • Welcome customers and students to the studio and answer questions

  • Process point of sale purchases and returns for studio users

  • Answer phone calls, emails, and check students in

  • Prepare class supplies/materials

  • Assist technician if needed

  • Assist and work on Foci MCGA production for sales if needed

  • Work as a teaching assistant for core classes if needed

  • Assist during Foci MCGA events such as open houses or fundraisers

Requirements

Trade-time Studio Assistants will work in tandem with the full-time staff of Foci MCGA. Duties will include assisting staff with the typical day to day studio tasks and upkeep.

  • Have taken a four or six week core class at Foci MCGA, or have equivalent glass knowledge in glassblowing, kilnworking, flameworking, neon, coldworking, or stained glass.

  • Have financial need.

  • Be open to learning new skills.

  • Have availability on weekends and/or week day evenings.

  • Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.

  • Ability to represent Foci MCGA professionally.

  • Able to communicate effectively via email.

  • Hours: 3-6 hours a week / flexible

Compensation

Trade-time Studio Assistants do not receive monetary compensation for their duties. Instead, they receive the following perks:

  • Free membership while actively assisting

  • For every 3 hours worked trade-time assistants receive 1 point of accumulated time to use towards studio rental. These points do not expire for six months. Points can be exchanged at the following rate:

    • 1 Hour of Hotshop Rental: 1 point

    • 24/hr of Kiln Rental: 1 point

    • 1 Hour of Neon Shop Rental: 0.25 point

    • 1 Hour of Flame Shop Rental: 0.5 point

    • Cold Shop Rental: complementary

Benefits

Dedicated Trade-time Studio Assistants will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of nonprofit management and organization structure, and an understanding of operating a media-specific art studio, learn gallery and exhibition management and practices, and increase skills or develop new skills and knowledge of glassmaking processes. Professional networking opportunities will arise from internal and community events. These include interacting with member artists, interaction and preparation for visiting artists, and attending events and fundraisers at a discounted price.

Application Procedure

Time-Trade Assistant applicants may inquire about volunteering by emailing the following material to the Lead Studio Technician at isaac.theobald@mnglassart.org.

  • Brief letter of intent describing what the applicant expects to achieve, list of goals and expectations and desired activities or duties 

  • Resume/CV or paragraph about prior glass experience 

  • Potential availability

  • Submission Deadline: Applications are due 30 days prior to the desired start date.

Time-Trade Assistant volunteer positions are not guaranteed, as we may be at our limit.