The Visual Arts Laboratory and Digital Technician manages the ArtsGear audio-visual equipment and lending system, assists with hiring and training work-study students, and maintains equipment. The role oversees the Cohen Exploration Lab, supporting new media projects, 3D and photo printing, equipment maintenance, workshops and lab orientations. Additionally, the role manages departmental digital archives and supports students and Faculty in accessing and using physical and digital resources. The role also assists in the acquisition, documentation and departmental promotion of digital media, while providing technical support for grad student thesis defenses, conferences, guest lectures, and artist talks.
Key Responsibilities
Under the direction of the Operations and Communications Manager, the role carries out the following duties:
1) ArtsGear Audio and Visual Equipment ~40%
- Holds regular hours in the ArtsGear Sign-Out Office
- Supports Arts & Humanities students, staff, and Faculty, as well as assisting the Operations & Communications Manager, with audio & visual equipment lending and wall space reservations
- Fulfills reservation requests, signs out equipment, instructs borrowers on equipment use
- Ensures all equipment being loaned out or returned each day is operational and maintained
- Returns equipment, ensures item descriptions are accurate and returned to the correct location
- Collects late fees and tracks money collected
- Monitors and tracks condition of equipment; assists with equipment upkeep and facilitates minor repairs; outsources equipment servicing/repair
- Manages a detailed inventory of the technology and user profiles
- Researches and assists with new equipment acquisition such as audio-visual equipment, parts and supplies as required
- Assists in the creation of policies and forms regarding the use of audio-visual equipment
- Manages editing and upkeep, and providing training on the use of the ArtsGear database;
- Supports the Operations & Communications Manager with work-study interviews, hiring, work scheduling, and ongoing training
2) Cohen Exploration Lab ~40%
- Holds regular hours in the Cohen Exploration Lab to support the training, use and maintenance of the 3D printers, large format Epson photo printer, vinyl-cutting printer and iMac computers: supporting students, staff and faculty with Photo printing, 3D printing, Vinyl printing, 3D scanning, and related new media projects
- Creates print guides and workflows for Photo printing, 3D printing, Vinyl printing, and 3D scanning
- Researching new equipment acquisition
- Oversees equipment upkeep and minor repairs; outsources printer and scanner servicing/repair
- Designs, edits, monitors, and repairs files for optimal printing
- Calibrates iMac computer monitors for optimal image editing, soft-proofing, and photo print colour management
- Delivers lab orientations and printing workshops
- Assists students, staff and faculty in the safe operation of equipment, materials and software
- Monitors lab inventory and orders materials and supplies
- Promotes the lab and the use of its services by assisting with tours and demonstrations, and orientating new students, staff and faculty to the lab
- Works alongside the Digital Media Lab technician, VASA, and ArtLAB Gallery Manager to organize workshops and special events in the Cohen Lab to encourage engagement within the department and promote undergraduate and graduate students’ use of the space
- Assists the Operations and Communications manager to create social media content to promote and share the offerings in the Cohen Lab.
3) Documentation and Promotion; Acquisition, Scanning & Image Digitization ~20%
- Manages the VA Department and ArtLab Gallery network archives of photographs, event and exhibition documentation, including image acquisition
- Manages and maintains the online digital image database
- Photographs, edits and adds metadata to VA Department event images and recorded lectures in archives and online
- Maintains the department Flickr account; maintains photo and video release forms
- Assists the Operations and Communications Manager in the creation of social media content by promoting and sharing content from the department and ArtLAB archives.
- Assists the ArtLab Gallery and the Operations & Communications Manager in the design, documentation and promotion of VA Department and alumni events in archives and online; creating, editing, and modifying information and images for presentation on posters and on the Department’s website
- Creates print guides and workflows for Department printing and document scanning
- Ensures that the Department’s collection of digital images, slides, films, magazines and books responds to the needs of students, staff and faculty
- Manages inventory and acquisition of films in the VA Department film library
- Provides reference assistance and instructs in image research techniques;
- Informs and assists students, staff and faculty regarding the content, organization and availability of visual materials
- Digitizes visual and textual materials for teaching and research: slide scanning, document scanning, document format conversion, file transfer access, editing PDFs and images
- Updates the Minor Comps text lists and provides support for faculty members and graduate students who are teaching and conducting research with digital images
Additional responsibilities include:
- Supports conferences, guest lecturers, and graduate thesis defenses by providing presentation and projection equipment and ensuring it is in operable condition
- Provides technical support to the Arts and Humanities Media Technician in the Livestream Lab for departmental events, artist talks, panel discussions, etc.
- Provides computer and technical assistance, in collaboration with the Operations & Communications Manager and Media Technician; provides instruction in the use of film and flatbed scanners, digital cameras, photo-editing equipment, classroom computers, and projection equipment
- Carries out Fire Safety responsibilities in accordance with the Building Emergency Team (BET); assists with the prompt and organized evacuation of all Visual Arts building occupants in the event of an emergency
Qualifications
Education:
- Undergraduate university degree in fine arts
Experience:
- 2 years work experience in a related field
Skills, Abilities & Expertise:
- Computer skills with the ability to learn and use software programs
- Technical understanding of various camera, video, audio, lighting and projection equipment
- Technical understanding of prepress and colour management for large format and vinyl printers
- Technical understanding of 3D printers and associated software
- Knowledge of online digital databases
- Ability to follow processes with high attention to detail
- Ability to employ a systematic and efficient approach to work
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, meet tight deadlines and adapt to changing priorities
- Demonstrated ability to take initiative, to work independently and follow through on work assignments
- Personable and courteous in working relationships with colleagues, students and the public
- Ability to collect and analyze data in an objective manner
- Multi-tasking skills to prioritize and consistently produce high-quality work within deadlines
- Ability to investigate defined issues, solicit input, and suggest remedies and alternative approaches that meet the needs of the situation
- Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals
