Temporary Craft Artist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Location : Berea
Job Type: Temporary, Full-Time
Division: Alumni, Communications & Philanthropy
Department: 2022 Student Craft Program
Opening Date: 02/12/2026
FLSA: Non-Exempt
Please note that references provided at the time of application for staff positions will not be contacted until the applicant has been offered the position.
Description:
This is a 90-day temporary position. This position is not a traditional "Artists Residency". Fellows selected for this position will be expected to support production work within their assigned craft area for approximately 80% of their paid time. In order to facilitate this production specific skills will be taught to the fellow by the area leader and technical supervision opportunities will be provided to the fellow with regard to student labor. In addition to training and the opportunity to perform the technical skills needed for the craft discipline. Fellows may also be expected to participate in new product design and prototyping to contribute to the creative development of their chosen department in Student Craft. As a capstone assignment, each fellow will be asked to complete an independent work of their own design which will remain the property of Berea College Student Craft and which may be documented and exhibited in a group exhibition alongside former fellows and Student Craft staff members. These capstone projects will be sold with revenue generated supporting the mission of Berea College. The fellow will be encouraged to spend up to 20% of their work time on this Capstone project with a schedule to be determined and approved by their direct area supervisor. Housing is provided with this position and fellows will live in a shared 4-bedroom house (each resident has their own private room) managed by Student Craft forming a visiting "Craft Cohort" of fellows, resident artists, and guest instructors. Residence within the Craft House during the fellowship is a requirement of the position.
Your Key Responsibilities:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Regular and predictable attendance is essential. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• 80% of fellows time dedicated to the production goals of the assigned craft area
• Basic machine maintenance and set up for the assigned craft area
• Preparation of transfer/sales sheets and communication with Student Crafts' Distribution Center
• Mentoring and technical support for Student Labor
• Assistance with marketing/sales planning for assigned craft area and craft organization as a whole
• Contribution to daily/weekly shop upkeep

Other roles/duties will be assigned as necessary to assist the College in the attainment of the goals set forth and the enhancement of a positive, respectful learning environment for all staff, faculty and students.
What You'll Bring:
Education required to ensure success in this position:

• H.S. Diploma is required

Experience required to ensure success in this position:

• 2 years of applicable experience in the craft. This may be professionally, academic, or as a hobbyist

Special skills, knowledge and abilities:

• Basic familiarity with the tools and techniques used to create ceramics
• Support for the College's Great Commitments as well as the mission-aligned approaches in Student Craft.

License, certification, or registration necessary:

• Required background check

Physical requirements:

• Ability to lift 50 lbs.
• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time
• Ability to perform tasks that require repetitive body movements that could include but are not limited to the wrists, arms, shoulders, feet and legs
• Ability to accomplish repetitive hand and machine-based processes
• Ability to wear PPE such as hearing protection, safety glasses, gloves, etc.
• Ability to navigate campus/public buildings and grounds

Environmental conditions:

• Ability to work safely within a noisy and dusty environment
• Ability to work safely within a hot or cold environment

Ability to operate the following vehicles or equipment:

• Experience with common tools and machinery used in the making of ceramics.

Supplemental Information
Cover letter: 300 word maximum, explaining why you want to apply for this position. What do you think you would gain from this opportunity and what could you contribute to the program.
Portfolio: 5-10 photos of work that is representative of your practice and technical experience
Application Deadline: March 22
Founded in 1855, Berea College is nationally recognized as the first coeducational and interracial college in the South. Berea has a longstanding commitment to interracial education and is one of the most racially diverse private liberal arts colleges in the United States. With an emphasis on service to Appalachia and beyond, Berea enrolls more than 1,500 students from 46 states and U.S. territories and more than 70 countries. Berea College admits students who are unable to afford tuition and provides all of them with a no-tuition promise. Berea's students excel in the College's supportive yet demanding academic environment, and most are the first in their families to attend college. As one of only ten federally recognized Work Colleges, all Berea students are expected to work 10-12 hours weekly in various positions across campus. Berea College is also the only institution in Kentucky to receive the 5-Star Rating from Money Magazine, 2025. Washington Monthly has named Berea College the #1 Best College in the nation in its 2025 College Guide. Berea College appears in their rankings as #1 College (overall): Best College for your Tuition (and Tax) Dollars, #1 Best-in Class College, #1 Liberal Arts College and #1 Best Bang for the Buck Southern College.
Located where the Bluegrass Region meets the Cumberland Mountains, the town of Berea (pop. 16,000) lies forty miles south of Lexington and is approximately two hours from Cincinnati, Louisville, and Knoxville. More information about Berea College is available at
Berea College, in light of its mission in the tradition of impartial love and social equality, welcomes all people of the earth to learn and work here.
Berea College is always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team. If you think you are ready to be a part of an exciting team, then we encourage you to continue with this applicant friendly, online job application!
Berea College is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits and hires qualified candidates without regard to race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, disability, or veteran status.
Our Benefits:
Berea College offers a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees and their families including health care, dental, vision, retirement, health savings accounts, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability and an Employee Assistance Program. The benefit package also includes access to the for children of College Staff, ages 6 weeks to 6 years, Membership, Staff Development Funds and Tuition Reimbursement.
Eligible staff employees also receive paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
Part-time employees who work an average of twenty-four hours per week over the course of a year, receive benefits on a pro-rated basis.
To learn more details, visit our benefits page at
Our Unique Culture:
Berea College strives to be a place where people with various Christian interpretations, different religious traditions, and no religious traditions work together in support of
Over the past century, various leaders of the College have applied the College's inclusive scriptural foundation and spirit to their expanding world and welcomed those whose beliefs were consistent with the Christian gospel of impartial love. Therefore, Berea College today affirms its inclusive Christian tradition even as it respects the traditions of Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, and Hindus, as well as other faiths, and those holding no religious beliefs. We strive not to ignore our differences, but rather seek to understand each other honestly and respectfully, and together create a climate where anyone can openly discuss what they believe without fear of sanction. To that end, all persons who are willing to share in the spirit and the work of the Great Commitments as shaped by its preamble are welcome to study, to teach, and to work at Berea
Labor Supervision:
In support of Berea College's great commitments, staff and faculty serve as labor supervisors. Our fourth great commitment, The Dignity of Labor, promotes learning and serving in community through the student Labor Program, honoring the dignity and utility of all work, mental and manual, and taking pride in work well done. Student Labor Supervision includes scheduling, assigning, and approving student work, developing students' workplace acumen, and providing tangible work experience. To learn more about the labor program office please see the following link
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Please choose your session preference: (option 1) August 17-Nov 13, 2026, (option 2) January 4-April 2, 2027, (option 3) either

• Option 1
• Option 2
• Option 3

Required Question