Building Foundational Knowledge
The Bray’s Education Assistantship is an educational program designed to facilitate hands-on learning while providing space and time for emerging professionals to investigate their career goals and further their artistic practice. Operating through Education and Engagement, this program is open to anyone seeking foundational knowledge in studio and nonprofit operations. Preference will be given to applicants who are pursuing a career in the ceramic arts.
By assisting within Education and Engagement and across the Bray’s campus, individuals receive a well-rounded experience in all aspects of the ceramic field, including operational knowledge of running a nonprofit. Assistants will share communal tasks while also maintaining individually assigned roles. These roles (detailed below in the Bray Hours section) will be assigned based on studio and organizational need, experience, and individual assistant goals. Assistantships vary in length and are flexible in start and stop date (detailed below).
Black, Brown, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, and self-identifying URM individuals are strongly encouraged to apply. If you’d like to learn more about The Bray’s commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion you may find it here. If you have any questions regarding the Education Assistantship program, please do not hesitate to email the Education Manager, Stephanie Seguin at education@archiebray.org.
Out-of-Area Assistants
Housing, Transportation and supplemental employment
We encourage applicants to apply from all geographical areas, but affordable housing can be challenging to find in the Helena area, and a vehicle is strongly recommended as there is minimal public transportation. All efforts will be made to assist out-of-area incoming assistants with housing, transportation, and supplemental employment as best possible, but assistants are responsible for securing their own housing, transportation, and supplemental income.
Remote Assistantship
*Currently Unavailable; Updated Feb 2024*
Applicants who do not live in the local Helena area, and are unable to relocate for the assistantship but are interested in a “remote assistantship” should email education@archiebray.org directly. There are a limited number of remote positions, but accommodations will be made when possible for serious candidates. Benefits of remote assistantship will be detailed on a case by case basis to best support the assistants goals and situations.
Duration
Short term and long term assistantships are available.
Short term applicants are asked to commit to 3 months, and long term assistants are asked to commit to 6-12 months. Applicants will indicate their duration preferences, and be provided a place to share all relevant scheduling considerations in the application (details below). If you have any questions, please email education@archiebray.org
Expectations & Benefits
EXpectations of Assistantship
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25 Bray Hours a month towards designated tasks and roles
Participants schedule their hours with the Education Manager (approximately six hours per week, with some weeks accounting for more and others less dependent on time of year and events).
All efforts will be made to accommodate reasonable requests. If commitments and successful completion of Bray Hours are regularly of hardship, participants may be asked to reconsider their position. If hours are continuously exceeded, a reassessment of assistantship roles and responsibilities will be conducted.
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Work Closely and Professionally with:
Fellow participants, students, Education Manager, Bray staff and residents, and local area artists as necessary.
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Bring a Positive Attitude and Approach to the Studio
- Share your knowledge and perspectives
- Address issues as they arise
- Help students with questions
- Contact appropriate parties when necessary
- Maintain a clean personal and communal workspace
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Complete Feedback and Review Process
To ensure a positive and beneficial work experience for all parties, and provide scheduled opportunities to voice concerns and address issues in a formal setting. (Scheduled upon start date. Participants are encouraged to provide or request feedback at any time outside of scheduled times – guidance on policy and procedure will be provided.)
Benefits of Assistantship
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24/7 Access
24/7 access to the Frances Senska Center for Education and Engagement – use of workspace and communal tools for personal studio objectives and goals
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Personal shelf
Personal shelf (15 x 40 x 30”) and cubby (23 x 18 x 16”) for works in process, tools, personal items, etc.
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Discounts
Discounted clay, firings, classes, gallery and clay business purchases
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$250 / month scholarship award
Received monthly
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Experience
Hands-on learning and experience – learn best practices and discover behind the scenes details of studio, administration, and general operations required to run a leading ceramic institution
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Mentorship
Weekly meetings allow space and time for Assistantship participants to ask questions while gaining feedback and guidance on their studio and career goals.
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Paid teaching opportunities
including guidance in teaching and course development
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Paid work opportunities
at The Bray, for resident artists, and for local-area professional artists as available
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Opportunities to connect
with the local arts community and professional artists in the field, with all reasonable effort taken to foster positive and lasting relationships.
Bray Hours
Bray Hours may include the below listed areas of focus but are subject to change as studio and organization needs fluctuate. On the job training is provided.
*Requests and accommodations will be considered and upheld whenever possible, but requests cannot be guaranteed.
Studio Clean
Classroom
Administrative
Library
Clay Business
Gallery and Exhibitions
Studio Tech
Podcasts
Application Process
Applications are reviewed bi-monthly (Feb, April, June, and so on), with positions filled as needed. There are a total of four assistantships positions available per month of the calendar year.
Interested applicants should complete the application found here.
Please submit the following materials via the application form. Specific information on format and size can be found on the application form next to applicable section.
REMAINING AVAILABILITY FOR 2023
Currently one position remains available for a start date of September or October, and two positions start dates remaining available for November or Dec of 2023.
Applicants interested in a 2024 start date are welcome to apply but should note: 2024 applicant decisions will not be made until July of 2023 to ensure fairness in the review process. Order of applications received will be noted but will not be a major deciding factor.