Volunteering Opportunities at Foci MCGA

Internships

Foci MCGA recognizes that students and young professionals seek experiences that are exciting and end in an understandable result while contributing to their long-term career goals. The internship program at Foci MCGA provides a robust experience that affords the intern with the opportunity to witness and participate in the inner workings of the organization, including studio management and education while reinforcing the development of the intern by addressing the individual needs of the intern. Interns will work in tandem with the full-time staff of Foci MCGA. Duties will include assisting staff with the typical day to day operations. These duties will be outlined per each internship application and proposal.

Job Duties may include

• Assisting technicians with equipment and maintenance 

• Assisting with demonstrations 

• Gallery preparation 

• Studio upkeep including all studios, gallery and peripheral areas.

• Clerical and data entry 

• Others duties as identified by the individual proposal

Learning Objectives

• Gain an understanding of nonprofit management and organization structure 

• Gain an understanding of operating a media specific art studio 

• Gallery and exhibition management and practices 

• Increase skills or develop new skills and knowledge of glassmaking processes

Benefits

Mentoring elements: Interns will be mentored on many aspects of professional development and activities related to the operation of a nonprofit arts organization. Foci MCGA recognizes that mentoring and training are key elements of all internships. 

• Clearly outlining duties

• Outline expectations of the internship and strategize for the best activities to achieve the goals 

• Weekly meetings to coordinate activities as the intern develops and the intern becomes more aware of opportunities

• Learn about safety procedures 

• Learn about equipment operation 

• Gallery preparation, management & practices 

• Glassmaking - When possible the intern may be asked to assist with the creation of Foci Made items and/or participate in learning situations such as assisting with classes and workshops or as a participant in a class 

• Preparation and/or creation of collateral material such as clerical and administrative materials.

• Professional networking: Interns will have the opportunity to attend, and when appropriate, participate in internal and community events. These include the following: Staff meetings, Planning and programming, Interaction with member artists, Interaction with and preparation for Visiting Artists, Other opportunities as they arise 

Compensation

Interns will not receive monetary compensation for their duties. Each internship will have its own parameters outlined. Perks may include the following: 

For every three hours of participation the intern may receive one hour of studio rental time if the intern has prior glass experience 

Intern may use accrued studio time towards a class of their choice 

Duration

Each internship will have the specific duration outlined. The typical internship at Foci MCGA will be in month long increments. The duration of internships may also be dictated by the institution from which the intern may be receiving credit. Internships may be discontinued at any time at the discretion of the Executive Director. See requirements and professional behavior. 

Requirements

• High School or University Student

• 18 years of age or with parents consent

• Enrolled in an institution of education

• School permission and/or agreement from school if receiving credit

• Follow Foci MCGA personnel policy

• Flexible schedule

• Able to communicate effectively via email

Application Procedure

Intern applicants may inquire about internships by emailing the following material to the Program Manager at kagen.dunn@mnglassart.org.

• Letter of intent describing what the intern expects to achieve, list of goals and expectations and desired activities or duties 

• Resume/CV or paragraph about prior work experience 

• Timeline for internship 

• Contract or requirements from institution granting credit 

• Advisor/faculty/coordinator contact information 

• Images of art or design related work for University Applicants

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

Intern positions are not guaranteed, as we may be at our limit.

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 intern 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.