Ceramics Technician and Educator, Studio Programs

Job Description:

Crystal Bridges is a museum of American art located in Bentonville, Arkansas. We explore the unfolding story of America by actively collecting, exhibiting, interpreting, and preserving outstanding works that illuminate the American spirit in a setting that unites the power of art with the beauty of nature. Founded by philanthropist Alice Walton in 2005, the museum opened in 2011 and is a public, non-profit charitable organization with free admission. In June 2026, Crystal Bridges’ 114,000 square foot expansion opened to the public, allowing the museum to expand access for all.

The Momentary is a venue for the music, art, and food of our time, and a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality. An extension to Crystal Bridges, the Momentary is a ‘living room’ where community gathers to be inspired, connected, and joyful. The Momentary enriches lives through music, art, and food experiences that inspire creativity, build community, and create joy. You belong here, make the most of this moment.

The Ceramics Technician and Educator, Studio Programs supports the daily operation, organization, and instructional delivery of ceramics programming across Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary (CBMO). This position combines hands-on studio operations, participant-centered teaching, and program facilitation, playing a key role in creating engaging, high-quality learning experiences while ensuring the ceramics studio operates safely, efficiently, and effectively.

Working collaboratively with Studio Programs staff, teaching artists, schools, and community partners, the Ceramics Technician and Educator prepares materials, equipment, and studio spaces for classes, workshops, outreach programs, open studios, school visits, and special events. The position actively teaches and facilitates ceramics experiences for learners of all ages and skill levels, supporting a welcoming and inclusive learning environment.

The position helps develop, implement, and continuously improve systems for clay and glaze management, kiln scheduling, studio organization, and participant work processing. The Ceramics Technician and Educator is responsible for loading and unloading kilns, managing firing schedules, coordinating the movement and storage of ceramic work, maintaining equipment and studio resources, and upholding safety standards across the ceramics facility.

As both an educator and studio operations specialist, the Ceramics Technician and Educator must be comfortable working independently, troubleshooting technical and operational challenges, leading studio activities, and establishing effective procedures that support a dynamic and growing ceramics program. Success in this role requires strong knowledge of ceramics processes, kiln operation, studio best practices, and instructional techniques, along with excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.

• Manage and maintain the daily operation, organization, and readiness of the ceramics studio, ensuring spaces, equipment, materials, and resources are prepared for classes, workshops, outreach programs, open studios, and special events.
• Develop, implement, and improve studio workflows for clay processing, glaze management, inventory control, participant artwork tracking, kiln scheduling, and overall studio efficiency.
• Load and unload kilns, manage firing schedules, troubleshoot firing-related issues, and oversee the safe and timely processing of participant and program artwork.
• Coordinate the labeling, tracking, storage, and distribution of ceramic artwork, including projects created through classes, workshops, school programs, outreach initiatives, and community partnerships.
• Identify operational needs, troubleshoot studio challenges, and proactively recommend improvements to workflows, equipment use, and studio functionality.

• Facilitate engaging, participant-centered ceramics instruction for learners of all ages, abilities, and experience levels.
• Teach and demonstrate ceramic processes, including hand building, wheel throwing, glazing, surface decoration, and studio practices.
• Support curriculum implementation and collaborate with Studio Programs staff and teaching artists to deliver high-quality educational experiences.
• Represent Studio Programs through classes, workshops, school programs, outreach initiatives, demonstrations, and public engagement events.
• Mentor and support teaching artists, volunteers, interns, and studio assistants in delivering consistent, high-quality participant experiences.
• Assist with community programs, artist residencies, outreach initiatives, open studio offerings, exhibitions, and special events as needed.

• Contribute to a welcoming, inclusive, and service-oriented environment that encourages creativity, learning, and meaningful engagement with the arts.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned to support evolving organizational needs.

• Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Bachelor of Arts (BA), or equivalent related experience in ceramics, studio art, art education, or an adjacent creative practice.
• 4–6 years of demonstrated experience with ceramics studio operations, including clay and glaze preparation, materials management, studio maintenance, and safe equipment use.
• Experience operating, loading, and unloading kilns, monitoring firing schedules, and safely processing ceramic work.
• Knowledge of kiln maintenance preferred.

• Must be available to work weekends as required to support programming, workshops, open studios, and special events.
• Ability to support and lead ceramics-based learning experiences for participants of varied ages, backgrounds, and skill levels.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with a collaborative and welcoming approach to working with Studio Programs staff, teaching artists, schools, community partners, and the public.
• Strong organization, attention to detail, and the ability to remain flexible, solution-oriented, and composed in a fast-paced studio environment.

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those required by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

Physical Demands: In the work environment described, the position requires sitting, standing, walking, bending, reaching, and climbing; utilizing a computer for prolonged periods of time; and good eye/hand coordination. Visual abilities required include close vision and color perception. The position requires the use of hands to safely handle and move clay, ceramic artwork, materials, and equipment in accordance with established studio safety procedures and periodically requires standing for prolonged periods of time.

Work Environment: Work is performed on-site in the ceramics studio, classrooms, office environments, and other museum and community spaces used for programming. This role requires working in an open setting near colleagues. The noise level is typically low to moderate. Work may involve exposure to clay dust, glaze materials, and heat from kilns, requiring adherence to established studio safety procedures. The role also requires regular interaction with both the public and internal team members in a professional and courteous manner. A flexible schedule may be necessary to accommodate business needs, including evening and weekend work.

Crystal Bridges is an equal opportunity employer committed to building and maintaining a workplace that is free of discrimination and harassment of any kind. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate.

All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion (where permitted by state law) of a confidentiality agreement and background check. In addition, the employee must provide proper identification verifying eligibility to work in the United States.