06 Nov 2019

The CIRVA recruits a workshop coordinator

The CIRVA is an association established under the 1901 French legislation. It is a contemporary art centre based in Marseilles occupying a space of a surface area of 1,500 m2, spread over two and four levels according to the location.
The Centre is a place of research, development and production with high-performance equipment dedicated to glass making. It hosts residencies for creative artists from all disciplines (visual artists, designers, sculptors, architects…) wishing to introduce this material into their work.
It also has a collection of about 800 works displayed in museums, art centres or galleries in France and internationally.
Team: 1 director, 1 administrator, 1 communication officer, 2 glass blowers, 1 coldwork technician, 1 glass casting technician, 1 cleaner (part-time 20%).
Production workshops (550 m2): glass-blowing workshop (2 glass furnaces, 3 glory holes, 3 annealing lehrs), a mould making and casting workshop, a coldworking studio, a room for the storage and preparation of glass batch, a sandblasting workshop, and a mechanical workshop.
Spaces dedicated to storage: 400 m2.


The CIRVA is recruiting a workshop coordinator.
Main tasks
⁃ Workshop coordination:
• Establish a weekly and a provisional long-term workshop schedule in consultation with the management.
• Update the timetables of the technical staff and workshop interns (to include leave, off-site training, etc.).
• Write the artists' reception schedule in consultation with the management.
• Order raw material and consumables according to the workshop's needs. Track orders from suppliers.
• Research and order the non-glass materials necessary to research projects and the production of pieces.
• Monitor production according to the instructions given by the artists or the production contract. Set deadlines and check the production of pieces.
• Inform the artists of the progress of the production in their absence, in agreement with the management.
• Store and prepare an inventory of work in progress.
• Inform the management of the progress of work: daily oral report, weekly written note.
• Inform the management of any question related to the creative work entailing an interpretation of the artist's project by the workshop in the presence or absence of the artist.
• Estimate the production costs of each project.
• Participate in the handling of artists' work, and tools (non-production) etc., in the context of the daily organisation of workshop space.


⁃ Safety:
• Finalise and update the French Health and Safety / Risk Assessment documents ('document unique').
• Be responsible for compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Ensure the display of safety instructions, signage and hazardous products safety in the building.
• Ensure that technical staff, artists and any other person wear proper protective equipment if necessary.
• Be responsible for informing and training staff on safety rules.
• Organise regulatory visits entrusted to control organisations.
• Inform staff on the use of hazardous substances. Ensure that the documentation relating to each product used in the workshop is accessible.
⁃ Archiving techniques:
• Keep a precise and detailed logbook of workshop activities in order to be able to resume work during the comings and goings of artists and to preserve the history of the creative process at the CIRVA. Document products, materials, methods, suppliers… Note both the instructions of the artists and how the workshop implements them, write down the evolution of each project.
• Choose the appropriate means of documentation for each operation (notes, videos, photographs) in consultation with the management.
• At the end of each project, archive all relevant information in the appropriate files.
• Define the intermediate stages of the creative process to be preserved (tests, prototypes, moulds) in consultation with the management; keep the inventory, store them.
• Document the work stages that are not kept.
⁃ Technical management:
• Be responsible for the storage of raw materials and consumables.
• Ensure maintenance and proper functioning of tools and equipment (furnaces, etc.).
• Propose the replacement of equipment and the purchase of new equipment corresponding to the needs of the workshop. Track orders with suppliers.
• Document the equipment with technical logbooks (stating purchase, maintenance, name of service providers...).

⁃ Building management:
• Ensure the good condition and proper functioning of the workshop building (rue de la Joliette) and the storehouse and studio apartments (rue Duverger). In the event of deterioration, notify the management, prepare quotes, and monitor the works.
• Ensure the proper movement of people in the building. Propose solutions to resolve overcrowding.
• Ensure the proper functioning of networks and fluid circulation of in the building.

⁃ Collection management / registrar:
• Communicate the list of works produced by the workshop validated by the artist to the administration and management.
• Organise shooting campaigns in coordination with the communication officer.
• Monitor the storage of creative works in coordination with the administration.
• Follow-up loan requests in coordination with the administration. Establish a schedule detailing off-site work for the technical team, taking care not to hinder the activity of the workshop.
• Exchange with lending organisations in order to check exhibition conditions, insurance of artworks and their packaging.
Occasional activities
• Contact companies, workshops, and external technicians to advance research projects.
• Take part in meetings relating to building work, renovation or extension of part of the building.
• Participate in meetings preparing events welcoming the public (workshop visit organised by the CIRVA, privatisation for evening events).
• Prepare workshops proposed to students in collaboration with the person in charge of the audience.
• Participate in the analysis of the evaluation method of production costs.
• Participate in the writing of job descriptions of technicians in consultation with the management.

Required skills:
⁃ Organisational skills are essential.
⁃ Inter-personal skills/management.
⁃ Practical sense and good will.
⁃ Interest in glass techniques.
⁃ Interest in contemporary art and design.
⁃ Flexibility, ability to listen and to establish a dialogue between technicians and the invited artists with the aim of implementing their project, whilst integrating the feasibility constraints.
⁃ English and French proficiency. Proficiency in a third language would be appreciated.

Permanent contract.
Executive position; at least 3 years of work as a manager requested.
35 hours/week annual rate (modulation).
Starting early 2020.

Cover letter + CV to be addressed to recrutement.cirva@cirva.fr no later than the 1st of December 2019.
Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held during week 51.