Spudnik Press is currently accepting applications for 2023-2024 Teaching Artists in our studio. They will lead *core curriculum classes as well as special topic courses at our studio. We are prioritizing the following topics: Letterpress, Relief & Monoprinting, and Book Arts, but welcome applications for all of our disciplines. 

Teaching Artists will fulfill *core educational offerings at Spudnik Press through teaching introductory and advanced classes, private lessons, and have the opportunity to develop unique classes or workshops that build upon their personal artistic practice. 

Teaching Artists will accrue experience in teaching varied groups and build on their personal art practice through their full access to Spudnik Press facilities, where they can also be collaborative and make lasting connections within our community.

*Core classes have existing syllabuses available and Teaching Artists are welcome to execute them as-written or propose modifications.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Enthusiastic about printmaking and co learning 
• Minimum one (1) year teaching experience preferred
• Familiarity with Google Workspace applications
• Located in the Chicago metropolitan area with reliable transportation to and from our studio, located at 1821 W Hubbard
• Able to commit a minimum of 12 hours per month  
• Experience developing and implementing a structured and responsive class curriculum
• Self driven, independent work ethic in various printmaking skill sets 
• Reliable and committed communicator 

COMPENSATION

• $160 for a one-day workshop (includes 3 hours class time, half-hour prep time, and 1 hour of curriculum building)
• $595 for a 4-week class (includes 3 hours class time and half-hour prep time per session, plus 3 hours of curriculum building)
• $1155 for an 8-week class (includes 3 hours class time and half-hour prep time per session, plus 5 hours of curriculum building)

First time teachers at Spudnik will be additionally paid $35/hr for a 3-hour class & studio orientation. Returning teachers teaching a new course will be additionally paid $35/hr for a 2-hour class orientation. For classes that do not require curriculum building, teacher will be paid the same $35/hr rate.

PHYSICAL WORK & ENVIRONMENT

Spudnik Press is located in the West Hubbard Lofts at 1821 W Hubbard St, Suite 302 and is wheelchair accessible. Please review our accessibility notice here. We have several printmaking studios which include; Screenprinting, Risography, Letterpress, Relief & Monoprinting, and Intaglio.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• Application Fee: None; Free to apply
• Deadline To Apply:  8/21/23
• Info Session: another Virtual Info Session will be announced soon
• Final Notification: 9/22-29/23
• Onboarding: October 2023 
• Classes Begin: November 2023
• Duration: 12 months

APPLICATION

Submit your cover letter, CV, portfolio with an image list, and an example of a previously taught printmaking syllabus to info [@] spudnikpress [dot] org with subject line ‘Teaching Artist Application | 2023-2024 Term’. All application materials should be submitted as one PDF.

Portfolio should consist of 5-7 images:  Images must not exceed 1MB each. Work should include print-based work and work from the last three years. Please provide title, medium, year of completion, and dimensions for each work in your Image List.

Spudnik Press will not replicate or share your submitted syllabus with the broader public as it remains your intellectual property.

Deadline for applications is EXTENDED until September 12, 2023 at 11:59pm.

For inquiries, you may email us at info@spudnikpress.org.

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This Teaching Opportunity is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

This project is partially supported by a Chicago Arts Recovery Program grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs & Special Events.

Come join a dynamic arts organization located in the West Town neighborhood of Chicago!

We are looking for a part time Business Manager to manage the business side of our enterprise. This person would be responsible for much of the day to day business operations for our small nonprofit, working closely with the Board of Directors. The Business Manager will be responsible for cash flow, daily financial resources, accounts payable, accounts receivable, billing, payroll, purchasing, cash management, general ledger, collections, taxes, and conducting an annual audit. In addition, this position may assist the staff in arranging classes and other events.

Position Type: Part-time
Position Location: Hybrid
Office Address: 1821 W Hubbard St, Suite 302
Hours: 25-30 hours per week
Schedule: flexible
Pay: $25-30/hr based on experience
Reports to: Board of Directors

Spudnik Press is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit located in Chicago, Illinois. Focused on the art & craft of printmaking, Spudnik provides local artists with affordable access to studio facilities, equipment, and professional development opportunities. Open studio hours, residency & fellowship programs, exhibitions, and other initiatives are offered to foster community, encourage collaboration, and serve our diverse network of creatives.

Spudnik Press Cooperative does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

Spudnik Press is focusing on operational issues and working projects in July and August. This means that our classes will resume in September. We encourage everyone who is eager to begin their printmaking journey using our accessible facilities to book for Private Lessons during this pause. Our Open Studio is also available to those who have already taken printmaking classes and would like to continue printing at our shop.

This is meaningful to current staff as past organizational transitions were not able to provide employees a chance to pause and recalibrate, as we continued to fill in gaps, expand our roles and responsibilities, and figure things out. With this pause, we are working on more classes, programs, and other activities to strengthen the organization. We feel nothing but excitement and positivity about our current and upcoming efforts for the Press and its community. Thank you for your continued support and we always appreciate your enthusiasm in our class offerings!

Spudnik Press is continuously seeking new Board Members and we encourage members of our community to consider supporting our mission by joining our Board of Directors. 

The Spudnik Press Board of Directors is a team of volunteers working behind the scenes to ensure our organization is resilient, mission-driven, and advocating day-in-day-out for artists and the arts. Board Members provide long-range leadership, governance, and oversight for the organization. 

Members of our board work collaboratively with each other and the staff of Spudnik Press to support the mission of our organization and any challenges that arise during their tenure. Board Members serve two-year terms and are eligible for reappointment for additional terms. Board meetings are typically held in the evening, every month, with additional meetings called as needed. Priorities for the coming year focus on our current leadership transition and working closely with staff to ensure that the organization is accessible, diverse, inclusive, and equitable. 

There are dedicated seats for Spudnik members with waived annual dues. To be eligible for these seats, Spudnik members must have at least two years of membership with the organization, and these years do not need to be consecutive. Membership must be active at the time of application.

At this moment, we are accepting applications for general and member seats. Please send your resume and a letter of inquiry to boardofdirectors@spudnikpress.org.

Spudnik Press Cooperative is looking for a new leader to change and grow the organization into its next phase. As the Executive Director of Spudnik, you are a strong advocate of the organization, staff, and printmaking community. You uphold Spudnik’s mission of providing printmaking facilities and services for artists who need a place to create or exhibit their original artwork, and of offering education in printmaking practices by uniting professional artists with a diverse community of learners.

View the Executive Director job description

Founded on the premise that art should be a democratic and empowering medium, Spudnik is committed to being an approachable and affordable print shop; a space where professional printmakers can meet aspiring students; and a space that encourages collaboration and the sharing of ideas. As Spudnik enters its fifteenth year, you will be uniquely positioned to move the organization in a new direction, ushering in new growth and building upon Spudnik’s legacy.

This is a permanent full-time position. Applicants should be based in Chicago by the start date. Occasional evening and weekend events will require attendance. Employee benefits include paid vacation, paid holiday and sick time.

View the Executive Director job description

Spudnik Press Cooperative does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.

Dear Spudnik Community,

We have heard from many of you – both current and former community members and staff – on areas we need to improve to ensure Spudnik is an approachable, inclusive, respectful, and nurturing community space and workplace. Thank you for coming forward and speaking to us. Please know that we hear you and are working on moving the process forward.

Instrumental to this process will be a close working relationship with our staff, who are dedicated to making this transition effective.  We would like to state that the staff were not the subject of these concerns, and that they were not informed of the concerns brought to the board by former staff and community members when this news was initially announced. The staff are committed to collaborating with us as we work toward change.

As a largely new board, we are committed to positively shaping the culture at Spudnik to ensure we’re living our values across all facets of the organization. As part of these efforts, this year we’ll be adding two board seats dedicated to Spudnik community members, without annual dues. We are working on revising our grievance process to ensure that staff feel safe and supported, and we will revisit the salaries of current staff. We will also commit to engaging our community member base on more ways we can improve in the coming weeks.

As we begin our search for a new Executive Director, we are committed to finding a strong leader and team builder that shares our values. We have begun working with a search committee and dedicated members of staff that will be involved in the hiring process.

Please be patient with us as we work towards answering your queries. Emails addressed to boardofdirectors@spudnikpress.org will be answered in turn as we balance a number of tasks that require our immediate attention.

We thank all community members and staff for their patience during this time of transition. This is a difficult time for all of us. Please know that we will do what we can to move in a positive direction.

Sincerely,
Spudnik Press Board of Directors

With the end of the year rushing up at us, Spudnik would like to take some time to sit with our community and reflect on everything that makes us who we are. Starting November 30, we invite you to come help us in Unwrapping Spudnik. We have five weeks with five themes that will focus on different elements of our community, artistic life, and what makes Spudnik such a dish. We’re also asking you to help us raise $5,000. That’s just $1,000 a week, and will help us keep the studio stocked, supplied, and affordable. 

Every week from now to the end of the year we’re going to unwrap another gift. Everyone who donates $25 to us that week will be entered into a drawing to win that gift. If you want to make sure you’re entered in all five drawings, just donate $100 at any time during the campaign and you’ll be entered in all the remaining drawings. However much you give, make sure you leave your mailing address; we’re sending something special to everyone. 

DONATE NOW

Here’s a sneak preview of the treasures we’re sharing with you.

You probably know we have a risography printer, but have you been formally introduced? Do you wonder what it’s like to be a piece of retro-modern equipment that’s equal parts charming for its simplicity and full of moving parts ready to wear out? Check out the equipment week announcement to learn more about what it takes to keep our beloved riso printer running and some of the very cool projects that it has helped make during its time with us. Also, take this opportunity to share a tool, space, or piece of equipment you love and use in your artmaking. 

Help us maintain our equipment. Give today!

Our members are the core of our Cooperative here at Spudnik Press, so our second unwrapping week is going to focus on them. Meet some of the fabulous and remarkable people who’ve joined Spudnik, the amazing work they’ve done, and revisit what it means to be a non-profit, community-driven print studio. Do you have a favorite Spudnik memory that you’d like to share? Pass it along by email or social media and you can be part of the Unwrapping.

Give the gift of creativity, gift a Spudnik membership!

The studio is more than the walls and the presses; Spudnik is its people, too. At that intersection is Spudnik’s staff, the intrepid team of folks who keep Spudnik running. For staff week you’ll get to know some of the staff, hear about their art, their pets, and their favorite part of Spudnik. You should be prepared to share back, especially if you have cute photos of your pets!

Become a sustaining donor.

Twenty-five dollars to enter a drawing is just $5 a day, which is basically the price of a nice coffee. But we all know one cannot simply deprive the artistic muse of caffeine tithes. Instead of pitching the virtues of chemical withdrawal, we’re spending a week focusing on coffee, and more importantly, what different members of the Spudnik community do to focus and find inspiration even when the flow isn’t coming easily. Do you have something you’d like to share for this week? Share ahead of time and we’ll include you in Coffee Week! Tea drinkers are strongly encouraged to join in and start the theobromine-addicts of Spudnik club.

A sip is good. Investing in the Chicago creative community is great.

Twice a year Spudnik brings in a cohort of fellows who get access to the studio, professional development, and peer support to further them in their artistic practice and support their emerging careers. This is one of many ways we support our community and foster an expansive love of print. Fellowship week will give you a closer look at this program, a chance to meet some of our fellows, and an exciting window on the real world impact of your spudly support. Speaking of support, do you still have your first print? We want to see it! Don’t have a first print to share? Show us any piece of art you have and love.

Help us continue our Fellowship Program. Donate now.

For sharing each week, you can interact with us on social media, or email jessica@spudnikpress.org. Also, keep your eye on your inbox and on our social media to see the prizes each week unwraps (hint: week one has art!) and get updates on our progress.

HELP SPUDNIK FINISH 2021 STRONG

Spudnik Press is turning 14! We are celebrating through three different avenues that bring our community closer despite being socially apart since the pandemic. We invite you to support our milestone and make a huge impact on Spudnik’s mission today and beyond. 

Throughout the month of June, we are highlighting the amazing people that make up our community through a series of email interviews! On our birthday (June 8th), we will launch a flash fundraiser on Facebook to raise money for a wheelchair-accessible hand sink with eyewash station and we need your support! Please consider pitching in to buy us a communal birthday present.

Later this month, we are also launching a limited edition shirt to raise funds as we continue to safely re-open and resume more classes and workshops.

After a challenging year, we definitely need a steady and predictable source of funding to fuel our many programs and studio upgrades. We invite you to bring stability to the studio by supporting our new Sustainability Fund by giving a monthly recurring donation. In light of Spudnik’s 14th birthday celebration, we suggest $14 a month, but any amount makes a difference. And it’s super easy to set up!

Our goal is to welcome 25+ sustaining donors by the end of our birthday campaign so we hope you can share this cause with your friends and family. Thank you so much for your support!