Assistant Director of Painting and Drawing Facilities

For more than 150 years, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) has been a leader in educating the world’s most influential artists, designers and scholars. Located in downtown Chicago with a fine arts graduate program consistently ranking among the top four graduate fine arts programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report, SAIC provides an interdisciplinary approach to art and design as well as world-class resources, including the Art Institute of Chicago Museum, on-campus galleries and state-of-the-art facilities. SAIC’s undergraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students have the freedom to take risks and create the bold ideas that transform Chicago and the world—as seen through notable alumni and faculty such as Michelle Grabner, David Sedaris, Elizabeth Murray, Richard Hunt, Georgia O’Keeffe, Cynthia Rowley, Nick Cave, and LeRoy Neiman.

Compensation & Benefits

Please click on the links below to view our competitive, comprehensive benefits package:

• Hiring Range: $55,000 - $65,000.

The expected hiring range is an estimated amount for positions based on the grade. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

• Benefits
• PTO Overview
• Job Classification: Fulltime
• Grade Level: 8

About the Department: The Department of Instructional Resources and Facilities Management consists of five divisions: Campus Security, Media and Instructional Resources, Facilities Engineering and Construction, Facilities Services, and Instructional Fabrication. Our primary responsibilities include ensuring campus safety and security, managing facility operations, and overseeing key academic resources, including Media Centers, Instructional Shops, and specialized academic facilities. We are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the built environment of the campus. Collectively, these functions create a cohesive team focused on the effective planning, operation, and delivery of essential support services within our specialized educational institution. The Department employs approximately 100 full-time staff, 110 contracted staff, and 300 student employees. We serve a 1.3 million-square-foot campus across nine buildings.

Position Summary:

Administer, supervise, and direct the operations of the Painting & Drawing Department (PTDW) facilities and specialized resources on a day-to-day basis. Function as a technical advisor to faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, and staff. Supervise and provide leadership to the PTDW Figure Models and Materials Lab Technician. Ensure safe working practices for all fabrication equipment, materials, and processes. Anticipate and recommend changes in instructional services to support curricular developments. Facilitate ongoing communication between Department Chair, Administrative Director, staff, and faculty regarding departmental facility needs.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES



Staff Administration

• Provide leadership, evaluate performance, and oversee the activities of the PTDW Materials and Techniques Studio Lab Technician.
• Hire, train, supervise, evaluate performance and provide leadership for 20 Figure Model special service employees. Communicate safe classroom policy for figure model employees.
• Hire, train, supervise and provide leadership for 3 - 5 student employees.

Equipment and Facilities Management

• Lead, direct and supervise the operations of the PTDW Department facilities including classrooms, materials lab, critique spaces, painting racks, storage areas, faculty lockers, prop room, spray booth and display cases.
• Oversee the maintenance and inventory of departmental equipment and resources including furniture (easels, taborets, etc), Figure Model stands, related lighting & heating, and props. Facilitate repair and maintenance of assets.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures governing access, use, and instructional services provided by the PTDW Department in coordination with department chair and Academic Operations team.
• Develop classroom maintenance plans/routines in coordination with the IRFM Facilities Services team. Track work requests for cleaning and maintenance.
• Maintain inventory of consumables and instructional supplies. Manage Faculty lockers including registration and clean out.
• Coordinate with the Continuing Studies Department staff to support safe usage of PTDW facilities by CS classes.

Training and Instruction

• Provide hands-on, in-person orientation and training for faculty and students on the use of PTDW Department facilities and equipment. Conduct workshops on various processes such as stretching canvases, use of pigments and the spray booth. Train users on appropriate safety protocols.
• Orient faculty and students in the policies and procedures surrounding use of Figure Models in the classroom.
• Assess student and faculty needs, and recommend services and training to be provided by the PTDW Department. Provide lectures and instructional services to classes as needed.
• Serve on departmental committees to maintain the reliability of technical services. Attend departmental meetings and stay in touch with changes to the curriculum.

Painting & Drawing Department Event Support

• Provide technical support for PTDW Department projects and events. Collaborate with staff in other departments to coordinate support for interdisciplinary events. Serve as technical consultant to guest artists and scholars of the PTDW Department.

Research and Development

• Maintain familiarity with developments in Painting & Drawing materials, trends and technology. Make recommendations to the Department Chair.
• Perform research and assist in the development of proposals for future PTDW Department facility needs and capital investments.
• Research and develop written materials for instructional guides and orientation documents for students and faculty.
• Maintain and update PTDW documents and records as related to operational, technical, and material needs.

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s, Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in Painting & Drawing, and/or related field or equivalent professional experience and training.

EXPERIENCE: Experience working in higher education, understanding of figure models. Experience leading a team; Painting & Drawing experience.



SKILLS:

• Familiarity with Painting & Drawing materials and safety
• Familiarity with Figure Model protocols and procedures
• Scheduling Software

Application Instructions: Please include your resume and cover letter

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at [email protected].

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.