Assistantship Program

Spring 2025 Term: January 20–July 25, 2025

Application Deadline: Tuesday, October 15, at 11:59 p.m., EST.

Orientation Days: January 20–24, 2024

A work exchange including professional development, technical workshops, and studio engagement:

The Chrysler Museum Glass Studio (CMGS) Studio Assistantship is an educational opportunity designed for emerging artists who have recently completed an undergraduate degree program in glass or who are pursuing a professional career working in glass. This six-month program provides practical, professional studio experience in a museum setting. Studio Assistants contribute to the Studio’s operations by assisting with public glass demonstrations, public and college classes, maintenance, audio-visual support, and special events for up to 20 hours a week. As public representatives of the Chrysler Museum of Art, Studio Assistants must have strong verbal and interpersonal skills and be willing and eager to be positive contributing members of the team. Studio Assistants must have significant (2–3 years) glassblowing experience and be able to lift at least 50 lbs. The Assistantship includes a $3,000 stipend, paid in installments. Housing is not provided, with the exception of one resident assistant (see below).

There are two competitive six-month assistantship sessions per year:

• Spring Semester: Mid January–Mid July
• Fall Semester: Mid July–Mid January

Time Requirements:

People with full-time responsibilities (school/job) are highly discouraged from applying as they are unable to take full advantage of the program and its benefits. Assistants often seek part-time employment. Assistants’ part-time jobs are taken into consideration when scheduling.

Each Studio Assistant is assigned weekly studio responsibilities approximating 20 hours a week:

• Up to two dedicated days to support CMGS programming
• Clean up and bi-weekly studio meeting

Additional involvement throughout the semester could include:

• Glass After Dark (monthly; approximately four hours)
• Vitreous Theater Performance Series (quarterly)
• Participation in the Visiting Artist Series, guest artist visits, and lectures
• Personal Studio visits with guest artists
• Participation in two-day Studio Sales (commission free)
• Community arts district projects

Outside these stated responsibilities, Studio Assistants can expect to spend ample time each week focused on their personal artistic practice, including:

• Weekly three-hour mentored professional development workshops (detailed curriculum outlined below)
• Research relating to professional development workshop
• Two hours a week of personal hot shop time and partner assist for 2 hours
• Weekly three-hour technical skill sessions that address topics driven by Assistant interests, including pate de verre, stained glass, neon, flameworking, powder printing, decals, and blowing

Assistants are provided:

• Glass Studio access from 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., 7 days a week (with most evenings open until 10 p.m.). Public hours are Tuesday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Full access to the cold shop during Studio open hours (unless a class is using it)
• Kiln access (restricted to space availability)
• Flame access (restricted to space availability)
• Participation in a group exhibition at the Chrysler Museum of Art
• Partial scholarship awards to CMGS classes taught by Studio Staff
• Commission-free participation in the Studio’s semiannual sale
• One-year Museum Member benefits
• The opportunity to work with world-recognized masters in our Visiting Artist Series, guest instructor classes, and innovative Third Thursday evening performances. This is one of the most unique aspects of the program.

Weekly professional development workshops include:

• Behind-the-scenes looks into museum careers with tours of the Chrysler Museum of Art collection, conservation, storage, and Jean Outland Chrysler Library’s research facilities
• Research of the Museum collection followed by a project design or proposal
• Professional workshops, including personal biography, artist statement, resume, and museum proposal development/review
• Artist documentation and image archiving practices
• Business cards, website development, and newsletter production
• Public speaking seminar
• Basic artist business practices: invoicing, pricing, accounting, and taxes
• Best application practices and submission for three different artist opportunities

Eligibility 

• Recent graduates with BFA or BA in glass or equivalent experience in the field are eligible for the Studio Assistantship.
• Students actively enrolled in college are not eligible due to time restrictions.

Resident Assistant

During each session, the Chrysler Museum of Art Perry Glass Studio accepts one Resident Assistant. The Museum provides a free apartment for this assistant during the duration of the term. This assistant has additional responsibilities and is expected to have more glass and studio practice experience. The Museum is not able to sponsor or facilitate visas. Please note in your Letter of Interest if you are applying for this position

Applicants should submit the following electronically:

• A letter of interest, addressed to the Studio Manager, outlining studio experience and personal goals for the
  program
• Current resume
• Five to ten images of your work
• Image list correlating to images
• List of three references with contact information

Please send any specific questions to the Program Coordinator at studio@chrysler.org

*Previously accepted Assistants may reapply for additional terms, and if selected, may participate in up to two sessions total, which need not be consecutive.

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