Educational Art Technician, Painting & Drawing

Alberta University of the Arts; Calgary; On-site; CAD 61,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading art university in Calgary is looking for an Educational Art Technician, focusing on Drawing and Painting. This permanent full-time position involves managing studio spaces, providing student support, and ensuring health and safety compliance. The ideal candidate will have a degree in fine art or design, experience in studio practices, and proficiency in relevant tools. This role offers a comprehensive benefits package with a starting salary of $61,493 - $66,000. Candidates are encouraged to uphold values of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Benefits

Comprehensive benefits package

Annual vacation accrual starting at 15 days

Paid time off during University closure

Qualifications

• Four years of education in fine art or design is required.
• Experience in the arts sector or education is highly valued.
• Demonstrated expertise in studio practices is essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage studio spaces, equipment, and materials.
• Provide student support and training in alignment with the curriculum.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety protocols in studio spaces.

Skills

Expertise in Drawing and Painting

Knowledge of studio practices

Experience with dry and wet media

Proficient with Microsoft Office 365

Strong communication skills

Education

Four Year Diploma or Baccalaureate Degree in fine art or design

Tools

Adobe Creative Cloud

SketchUp or equivalent 3D modeling software

Job description

Why AUArts?

Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) is situated on the ancestral land of the Siksikaitsitapi - Blackfoot Confederacy which includes the Siksika, Kainai, Piikani Nations and the shared territories of the Tsuut’ina Nation as well as the Iyarhe Nakoda-Stoney which includes Bearspaw, Chiniki, Good Stoney Nations and also the home of the Métis Nation of District 5 and 6. The City of Calgary has long been called Moh’kins’tsis by the Siksikaitsitapi, Guts’ists’i by the Tsuut’ina, and Wîchîspa by the Nakoda.

The Alberta University of the Arts is one of only four major art, craft and design focused Universities in Canada. Our internationally recognized programs and state-of-the‑art facilities offer our 1,100 students a hands‑on, studio‑based education that leads to a Bachelor of Fine Arts, a Bachelor of Design, and an MFA in Craft Media. AUArts has deep roots in Calgary’s creative community and our alumni have had an impact on creativity around the world. Alberta University of the Arts will be celebrating its centennial in 2026.

Do you believe in the power of ideas, possibility, and in building community? AUArts is a community of thinkers, shapers, makers, and risk takers. We are students, faculty, staff, and alumni rich in diversity of culture and thought, challenged to fearlessly explore what moves us, drives us, and compels us to see the world differently.

The Opportunity

Competition #2526-DE-AP-15

Alberta University of the Arts (AUArts) is looking for an Educational Art Technician, Drawing and Painting.

This is a permanent full‑time position starting as soon as possible. Hours of work are 35 hours per week, 7 hours per day.

Reporting to the Manager, Studio Operations, the Educational Art Technician (EAT), Drawing and Painting is responsible for the management and coordination of studio spaces, equipment, and materials, within the scope of institutional processes, procedures, and guidelines. This position provides class and individual student support, advising and training students in collaboration with faculty. The EAT manages access and control in alignment with health & safety procedures to ensure a safe and effective learning environment.

As a member of the Studio Management team; this role contributes to departmental goals including curriculum alignment, procurement, evergreening and maintenance of facilities, equipment, and material assets. The Educational Art Technician also provides incidental supervision to casual staff, represents the team in committees and projects, and supports organizational reporting.

Key Responsibilities:

Student & Program Support

• In collaboration with faculty, coordinate and deliver individual and class support in alignment with the curriculum including, in‑class training and orientation to equipment, processes, and tools.
• Advise students on curriculum taught equipment, processes, and materials including agreed upon make‑up training, in collaboration with faculty.
• Provides guidance and support for the installation of student work for critiques and exhibitions.
• Prepare spaces, equipment, and materials for class use throughout the semester, ensuring appropriate storage and clean‑up of materials.
• Research and practice processes to support curriculum.
• Create and maintain online resources for supported studio spaces.

Studio Access and Control

• Coordinate and manage access to studio spaces, based on access and control documentation for all students, faculty, visiting artists and other users.
• Manage monitoring of studio spaces and ensure students and users comply with documented health and safety protocols; coordinate monitoring with casual staff and Security as needed.
• Provide orientation to users including non‑credit instructors and visiting artists on the safe usage of spaces, equipment, processes, and materials. Record and maintain training records.
• Manage equipment and materials, coordinate equipment loan services to users.
• Contribute to and update procedures, hazard assessments and other health and safety documents in consultation with faculty and OHS staff. Identify and update changes, flag process, health and safety or access concerns or risks.

Studio and Equipment Maintenance

• Configure and design spaces and equipment in consultation with faculty and OHS team, to support curriculum and ensure safe working practices.
• Inspect equipment for appropriate working conditions; perform or coordinate preventative maintenance and repair.
• Maintain equipment inventory, storage and safe disposal of tools, equipment, and materials.

Planning, Procurement & Administration

• Provide incidental guidance and supervision of casual staff, including training and orientation, recommending schedules, and answering operational questions.
• Cross‑train with other team members to provide continuity and provide temporary replacement and back up for team positions.
• Participate and represent the Studio Management team on committees and task forces.
• Plan and coordinate the purchasing of furniture, equipment, materials, and software including evergreen, capital purchases and annual supplies purchasing.
• Monitor, maintain and report on budgets, student fee schedules and other related reporting.
• Continue to develop knowledge of new or alternate equipment, processes and materials through research and/or art practice.

Qualifications:

The following qualifications have been determined to promote likelihood of success in the role. In alignment with the principles of inclusion, individuals with an alternative equivalent qualification may be considered.

Mandatory

• Four (4) Year Diploma or Baccalaureate Degree in fine art or design with a relevant subject area specialization.
• Three (3) to five (5) years’ experience as a practicing artist, and/or relevant experience in the arts sector, arts education, art technician or creative industries.
• Demonstrated expertise and knowledge of relevant studio practices for: Drawing and Painting
• Demonstrated expertise and knowledge with a variety of dry media (charcoal, oil pastel, conté, graphite), wet media (oil, acrylic, and watercolour paint and mediums), and their associated H&S risks
• Experience in exhibition planning, artwork handling and installation, methods of display, gallery maintenance, and lighting techniques
• Demonstrated experience offering training and mentorship
• Proficient with Microsoft Office 365 applications (SharePoint/Teams), Adobe Creative Cloud
• Demonstrated experience managing, delivering work, and executing on projects
• Demonstrated experience working effectively with a wide range of partners to communicate goals, track progress and manage expectations.
• Must be able to lift 50lbs (23kg) and work in a variety of physical positions including reaching overhead, on ladders utilizing safe work practices.

Preferential

• Current First Aid Certification.
• Knowledge of post‑secondary legislation, policies, and procedures.
• Additional proficiency in software: SketchUp or equivalent 3D modeling software.
• Demonstrated expertise and knowledge of scheduling and budgeting.
• Experience in procurement, inventory management.

Competencies:

• Healthy Spaces
• Active Inclusion
• Creative Innovation
• Collaborative Practice
• Strategic Leadership

What We Offer

• Comprehensive benefits package including pension and health spending account
• Annual vacation accrual starting at 15 days, Personal days, and other types of leave
• Paid time off over the University closure from December 24 – 31

As a member of the AUPE bargaining unit (Local 071/006), this full‑time permanent position falls under a classification 7 (Seven) with the starting annual salary range established to be $61,493 - $66,000.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted as a single PDF document and include a Cover Letter and Resume / Curriculum Vitae (CV).

Please visit our Application FAQ's page to ensure your application is complete prior to submission. Please upload your single document to the “Resume” section

The deadline to apply is January 7, 2026 . While we thank all candidates for their interest, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.

Further information about AUArts is available on our website at www.auarts.ca.

We welcome applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity and inclusion

and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

We recognize the legitimate and potential impact that career interruptions (maternity leaves, leave due to illness) can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement. Applicants are encouraged to identify in their application the impact that career interruptions may have had on their record of practice and achievement; this will be taken into consideration during the assessment process.

We are committed to making our recruitment, assessment, and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [e-mail]. All requests for accommodation will be treated confidentially.

Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. All successful candidates must demonstrate that they are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The personal information collected through this website will be used for the purpose of determining eligibility and suitability for employment, as well as immigration requirements and reporting. This collection is authorized by section 4 (c) of the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) and will be protected by section 10. For questions about the collection of personal information, contact [e-mail], or the University Secretary at [e-mail] or 403.284.7647.