Workshop Manager

S12 Gallery and Workshop in Bergen, Norway, is looking for a Studio Manager (alternatively a team of two persons), to join its forces for a minimum of three years, starting September 1st 2025 or by agreement.

What is S12?

S12 is an open access studio and gallery – a resource center specialising in work with glass in art and design.  We welcome in particular those who like to experiment with glass in all its diversity, explore its boundaries and work with it in combination with other materials. Our workshop facilities reflect this, with a diversity of tools and equipment that allow for experimentation across different disciplines ranging from blowing, casting, moldmaking, coldworking, flameworking and digital manufacturing processes.

It is important for us to serve the local community as well as being a safe haven for artists from all over the world.  As a non-profit we do not emphasise production, but center our program around ways in which we can serve as a facility to advance the field of glass through experimentation, education, and by promoting its diversity to a wide audience.  We have a small gallery space with an exhibition program that emphasises installation based and sculptural work that incorporates glass or shows glass in a new light.

We offer courses for children and youth with their families as well as adults. In addition we arrange advanced courses for professionals. We collaborate with art and design students, do commission work and last but not least offer a project based residency program for artists from different disciplines with and without previous experience from working with glass.

We are looking for a person that has a keen interest in becoming part of our small team, believes in our core values and would enjoy developing our vision further together with us.

To see more about the people behind S12 visit https://www.s12.no/en/the-team-2/ 

For more information about our activities and a list of equipment

please visit https://www.s12.no/en/verksted-workshop/

Requirements

Professional Qualifications:

• Experience of working in a glass workshop.
• Excellent glass blowing skills.
• Knowledge of and/or willingness to learn how to operate our kilns, and other equipment available in the workshop.
• Glass casting/kilnworking skills are an advantage.
• Flame working skills are an advantage.
• Good knowledge of all basic cold-shop techniques, including sandblasting.
• Good organisational and management skills, including the ability to plan activities, make budgets and assess and acquire necessary resources. 
• Computer skills, ability to use spreadsheets and word processing programs.

Personal Qualities:

• You communicate effectively with co-workers.
• You can work in a team, and adapt easily to new people.
• You take initiative, work independently, and contribute creatively to the team’s work.
• You are interested in acquiring new knowledge and skills.
• You are a good problem-solver and function well in stressful situations.

Other requirements:

• Language: English is required and knowledge of Norwegian or another Scandinavian language is an advantage.
• Drivers-license is an advantage.
• You must be willing to live in Bergen during the period of employment. 

Roles/Tasks include, but are not limited to:

• Run and maintain an organised and safe workshop.
• Maintain equipment used in the workshop.
• Plan activities taking place in the Workshop. 
• Participate in planning activities in the Gallery and Project Room.
• Assist artists (including our Artists in Residence) working with a variety of techniques in the workshop.
• Working on commissions, including work for non glass artists. 
• Organise and lead installation and removal of S12s exhibitions  – 3 exhibitions a year.
• Participate in arranging various in-house events; open house, artist presentations etc.
• Take part in and initiate outreach and educational programs.

Workload:

• Working days per week are 5, Wednesday through Sunday or Monday through Friday, depending on activities and time of year.
• This is an 80%  position, but workload can vary during periods of the year, depending on activities.  
• S12 encourages their workshop managers to participate in courses and other professional development, and will vary the workload accordingly in collaboration with you.

What working at S12 offers:

• Free use of the workshop outside working hours for working on your own work, including basic materials.
• Facilities that offer a wide range of equipment for experimenting and creating your own work. 
• A work environment where discussions around new ideas and approaches are welcomed. 
• You will be a part of a team where you can play an active role in defining future programs and activities.
• An opportunity to expand on your technical knowledge through assisting and interacting with other artists.
• You would be living in a small but active city with a strong cultural scene and numerous activities and opportunities to connect to a wide variety of groups and resources. 

S12 will provide:

• Basic monthly salary, amount to be agreed upon.
• The opportunity to initiate different kinds of projects alone, or in cooperation with members of the S12 team and/or other artists.
• Paid holiday 21 days a year in addition to Norwegian public holidays.
• Pension fund. 
• On-site insurance in addition to full access to the Norwegian health system as soon as you move your residency to the country.  
• Possibility to sell your own work through S12. 

S12 is committed to equal opportunity, inclusion and diversity.

Hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications and S12’s needs.

Application Process:

• Deadline for application is March 15th 2025. We will start processing applications as we receive them. 
• Position will be open until filled.
• Please email 1 pdf, containing a cover letter stating your interest and qualifications for the position, your CV, photos of work and/or link to a webpage & contact info of 2 referees. 
• Send your application to: admin (at) s12.no marked: Studio Manager.
• Candidates must be prepared to participate in interviews on Zoom, and possibly on site as well.
• Questions about the position should be addressed to Bergljot Jonsdottir: admin (at) s12.no

Download PDF