Studio Assistant
About Me:
I am an interdisciplinary performance-based artist, working primarily out of a studio on the UChicago campus. My work ranges from independent research-based projects to large-scale performances, often taking several years to complete over multiple iterations. While my conceptual underpinnings are rooted in performance, my projects can manifest as video, works on paper, multimedia sound installations, writing, and more. My work is overwhelmingly collaborative, although I do have a steady solo practice as well. I am in regular correspondence with a wide array of collaborators, comrades, presenters and curators, and am not infrequently managing at least one project budget. My work is at a transition point – I am shifting out of one suite of works and into another, which means I’m learning an entirely new set of skills, building new teams, and finding new ways of working. At the moment, my focus is on five projects:
a print and sound archival project, with a projected release in 2026a sculpture project involving on-site archival research, herbalism, paper, and 3D design / CNC millinga video editing projecta performance-for-video project a performance project with two collaborators, one of whom lives out of state, with a projected premiere in 2027
Job Description:
I am in search of a studio assistant through December 2025, with the possibility of extension. This person will be an invaluable colleague in my studio practice – someone to help keep me on track, but also to troubleshoot stuck points with, and occasionally to bounce ideas off of. While this person is not being hired as Project Manager, it is possible that, at times, managing a single project will be their sole task. They should feel comfortable working remotely, though it will sometimes be necessary for them to physically come to the UChicago campus or meet me elsewhere. Work will range, and will include tasks such as:
correspondence for studio-related workprep materials for studio and ex-studio productionresearch fabrication or contractor optionsliaison with collaborators and contractorsresearch funding options, and correspondence with fundersoccasional manual labor – some lifting (50lbs or less), light fabrication (drilling, cutting, etc.)
Depending on the SA’s interests, there are other possibilities for working together, such as working on grants together. I expect that as we move along, the ideal SA will be able to express the type of work they’re more interested in, and they can put more of their energies in that direction.
Desirable Skills:
Organized: Able to create your own organization system for multiple spinning plates, as well as to track your own progress and hours worked per week.Personable: Able to interface efficiently with interlocutors in a range of mediums – in person, over email and the phone.Timely: Possess a sense of timeliness and boundaries around work. The ideal SA will show up to meetings on time, complete tasks on time (or before they’re due), and likewise, not take on more projects than they can successfully manage. In a similar vein, the ideal SA will respect my boundaries around work, studio time, and when I’m ”off the clock.”Basic Familiarity with Spreadsheets: Ability to understand and use, at at least a basic level, an Excel or Google spreadsheet.Documentation and computers/design: Familiarity with word processing and Google collaboration systems, and basic familiarity with common design software. Basic familiarity with still documentation methods, including lighting and camera techniques.
Other Skills:
The most important thing in the ideal SA is their desire to learn. However, some familiarity with at least three of the below is required:
Theater/Dance/PerformanceFilmmaking and EditingPhotoshopSound editing software and applications3D design software and applications3D printing and CNC milling
Period and Time Commitment:
From mid September (to be mutually determined), through December 12 2025, with the possibility of extension.Assistant will be engaged around 5 hours per week, depending on the project and their availability. They’ll never work fewer than 3 hours per week (unless agreed upon in advance), and never more than 10 hours. Both I and the Assistant will have enough sense of production ramp-ups to be able to plan for longer work weeks as they arise.In some cases, work will be organized around a project. For example, all the SA’s work for some weeks will be focused on tasks associated with a singular project. In other cases, work will very from week to week and hour to hour. In these cases, SA will have a general list of tasks to get through on any given week, covering a range of projects.
A Note on Pay and Conditions:
When transit to and from my studio is required, this will not count toward work-week hours, but the Assistant will be paid at a half-rate. So, for example, if we have agreed that you’ll give me 3 hours of your time this week, but you’ll need to come to the studio once and your commute is 60 minutes roundtrip, I would pay you for three full hours plus one half hour ($87.50). You’ll be required to submit a W9 that proves you can legally work in the United States, and your pay will be subject to taxes. (Please note that it is also likely you’ll be paid by check from the University of Chicago.)Please email Anna Martine Whitehead at amwhitehead.arts@gmail.com by August 22 with a few sentences on what excites you about this position, one professional reference and contact, as well as your CV (focusing on relevant work experience).
