Studio Assistant Internship

$15/hr, Part-Time Employee
Six months, with the opportunity to extend to twelve months
Winter/Spring Internship: January–June
Summer/Fall Internship: July–December

16–20 hours per week

Reports to Senior Printer; supports Director of Artist Programs, Apprentice Printer, Gallery Director.

Read below for requirements and benefits.

Work is onsite and scheduled between 9–5 Monday–Friday and Noon–4 every other Saturday, with occasional weeknights and weekends. We work with interns to create a regular schedule that may accommodate possible school and other employment obligations. 

Highpoint Center for Printmaking (HP) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the art of printmaking. Its goals are to provide educational programs, community access, and collaborative publishing opportunities to engage the community and increase the appreciation and understanding of the printmaking arts through the following core programs: 

  • Educational programming and community programs in printmaking for all ages and backgrounds.

  • A Printshop Cooperative that provides access for local artists to create and show their work in a supportive workshop environment.

  • A Visiting Artists Program—local, national, and international in scope—through which invited artists create original prints under the guidance and support of a Master Printer.

  • A Gallery that enables visitors to view exhibitions of local, national, and international prints. Most work is offered for sale to the public.

The Studio Assistant Intern(s) will work with the HPE staff, Gallery Director, and Director of Artist Programs to prepare and execute projects for the Highpoint Editions Studio, the gallery, and the co-op. 

Studio Assistant Intern responsibilities include:

Assistance with Professional Print Publication 

  • Engage with and assist the Highpoint Editions (HPE) visiting artists

  • Work as a team with HPE staff 

  • Assist with the preparation, printing, curating, documenting, storing, and shipping of publications at the highest standards.

  • Learn the professional preparation and handling of materials such as printing matrices, inks, drawing substrates, paper, etc. to produce fine art editioned prints. 

  • Helping clean, organize, and maintain the professional studio 

Gallery and Exhibition Care

  • Serve as Highpoint staff front-desk representative during gallery open hours (every other Saturday)

  • Greet gallery guests, provide information about HP

  • Answer questions from guests about the current exhibit, current classes, events, co-op memberships, and donor levels

  • Direct individuals to locations on the website for class registration or event information 

  • Keep office area tidy 

  • Research and summarize updates for news on Highpoint Editions Artists

  • Pack and prepare prints for shipping

  • Exhibition installation and maintenance

  • Attend and help with special events and exhibitions

  • Data entry and inventory management

Day-to-day Studio Support 

  • Oversee the safe use of the shop, materials, and equipment

  • Order inventory and stock supplies

  • Maintain and build equipment

  • Act as a representative of Highpoint and conduct all work relationships in a professional manner.

Benefits

  • The opportunity to work with world-class artists

  • Free co-op access (start date based on printmaking experience with the option for on-the-job training)

  • Discounts on Highpoint classes 

  • Invitations to Highpoint special member events

  • Discounted monthly rate for co-op studio access for one full year following completion of the internship

  • Paid sick and safe time (per Minneapolis city ordinance)

Desired Qualifications:
Education, Experiences, Knowledge, and Abilities

Interns must be able to commit to six months for a minimum of 16 scheduled hours per week. The best intern is not always the person with the most printmaking experience! Print experience is helpful, but dependability, initiative, attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability/willingness to learn are paramount. Also, strong interpersonal skills, an interest in printmaking practices, and the ability to work well with others are essential. 

Working Conditions/Physical Demands

  • Requires frequent lifting, carrying, or otherwise moving and positioning objects weighing up to 25 pounds 

  • Requires the ability to stand for several hours at a time

  • Requires bending, stooping, and crouching on a regular basis.

  • Requires some use of a computer

Note: 

  • Interns must have reliable means to travel to and from Highpoint, but a car is not required

  • Highpoint hosts multiple Internships. Please only apply to one position.

  • If you have questions or would like to schedule a visit to discuss the internship in more detail, please contact Zac Adams-Bliss, Senior Printer, at 612.871.1326 or email zac@highpointprintmaking.org

To Apply, Please Submit the Following:

Letter of Interest (2 page max.) Our recommendation is that your letter address two or more of the following questions:

  • What aspects of printmaking interest you, and why?

  • What part of Highpoint’s mission interests you, and why?

  • What do you feel you will bring to this position?

  • What would you like to get out of this position? In what ways might this internship help you to achieve any long-term goals you may have?

Resume (2 page max.) Your resume should concisely outline:

  • Any skills, experience, and accomplishments relevant to this position

  • Any work experience relevant to this position

  • We recommend you avoid including unnecessary/irrelevant information

Three References

  • Three people who can attest to your professionalism and skill set

  • Include name, title, address, email, and phone number for each reference

Application Deadline

  • Summer/Fall Internship (Early July – Late December) applications due May 15th

  • We will review applications after the deadline(s) above

  • All applicants will be notified within three weeks of the due date (by June 7)

  • Interviews will be scheduled four weeks after the due date (week of June 10) and the expected start date being in the first two weeks of July

For those interested in the Winter/Spring Internship (Early January – Late June) applications open on October 1st and are due November 15th

Application may be emailed to Zac Adams-Bliss at zac@highpointprintmaking.org

Keep up to date with the latest news and exhibits at Highpoint Center for Printmaking.