Intern at Praxis Fiber Workshop

We are accepting applications for 3 internships beginning in Fall 2020 for a period of 6 months to a year. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

Studio Intern (OPEN)

The Studio Intern will work primarily with Studio Manager Anna Routson to care for our ever-evolving Main Studio, Digital Weaving Lab, and Natural Dye Garden spaces. In so doing the Intern will contribute to studio upgrades, equipment and donation intake and redistribution to relevant community organizations, and the development of educational programming at Praxis. The Intern can also develop mentoring and teaching skills by assisting students and members in their projects. Familiarity with at least one fiber process (sewing, weaving, spinning, knit/crochet, dyeing) and related equipment (looms, spinning wheels, dye lab and lab safety, accessories) is preferred.

Gallery Intern (OPEN)

The Gallery Intern will work primarily with Gallery & Events Director Connie Fu to plan exhibitions, prepare supporting materials, and organize community events. The changing nature of events and exhibitions in the pandemic era calls for a rethinking of how we share contemporary art with our neighborhood and the public. How do we begin and sustain substantial dialogues? How can we activate not only the Gallery space but also the Garden and further sites and spaces in order to include more people in these conversations? How can fiber art and fiber processes uniquely contribute to our local community’s health as well as to the landscape of contemporary art and thought? These are the questions that the Gallery Intern will navigate.

Research Intern (OPEN)

The Research Intern will work with Anna and Connie to develop an emerging branch of Praxis’s work that delves into fiber and natural dye history, contemporary fiber art practices and technology, material studies, and theory. The Intern will work with Praxis’s growing library, historic textile collection, and ongoing collection and review of resources pertaining to the above topics. The Intern may also choose to conduct research on contemporary artists in Cleveland and the surrounding region, or on fiber art and technology as a field. The form of the Intern’s work may come as, but is not limited to: organization and documentation of books and textiles, a blog featuring new books in the Praxis Library with written reviews, a series of essays or papers concerning a topic of research that utilizes materials in the Praxis Library and Collections, or hosted panel discussions.

All internships require a minimum commitment of 4 hours per week, arranged according to each person’s schedule. Interns are expected to be motivated and adaptable to the dynamic conditions of a small nonprofit organization.

Interns receive 24/7 keyed access to Praxis Fiber Workshop, including dedicated time on a loom and open use of accessories and studio materials including yarn, scrap fabric, and dyes. Interns can enroll in as many classes and workshops as they wish (taking into consideration COVID-19 restrictions) in order to expand their practice and knowledge. Interns also benefit from being part of a supportive intergenerational community of local makers. While we understand that the lack of monetary compensation presents a challenge to candidates otherwise interested in our internship opportunities, we offer in-kind value in the form of education, resources, and community.
To apply:
Each applicant may apply to (1) of the open internship positions. Application materials for the specified internship must be compiled into a single PDF document no larger than 25 MB. The document should be titled with the applicant’s first & last name as well as the internship they are applying for (ie. Doe_Joan_STUDIO.pdf). Applications must include:

A statement of purpose in which the applicant states the reasons for applying to the internship, what they seek to learn from the experience, and what skills and ideas they can share with Praxis (750 word max).
Resume / CV
STUDIO INTERNSHIP ONLY

10 images of recent work with captions including the following info: Title, date, dimensions, medium, and optional brief description.

GALLERY INTERNSHIP ONLY

Writing sample or comparable form of expression – can be exhibition-related, academic, or creative/personal.

RESEARCH INTERNSHIP ONLY

Writing sample or comparable form of expression – can be exhibition-related, academic, or creative/personal.

Questions and finished applications should be sent to praxisfiberworkshop@gmail.com. Thank you to all interested candidates in advance for your time and energy.