The Studio Apprenticeship Program is a one-year work exchange program providing exposure, instruction, and hands-on experience with all facets of ceramics studio management skills not taught in our classes, while also granting studio access to develop your personal work on your own time. By the end of the program, apprentices will be prepared with the tools they need to successfully manage or work in a studio.

Each cohort is slightly different, and we work to create educational opportunities based on the requests and recommendations of the current team.

• Hands-on Education
  Over the course of the year you will receive approximately 160 hours of hands-on instruction, practice, work experience, and feedback in key studio management skills. The apprenticeship program teaches participants about:

  • ceramic studio equipment operation and maintenance

  • ceramic materials used in glaze and clay mixing

  • environmental health & safety regulations and best practices around safe use and handling of a diversity of chemicals and equipment

  • the ins & outs of running a community studio

• Studio & Material Access
  As a key member of our team, you will receive unlimited open studio access. Apprentices take 4 free courses a year, with unlimited access to reclaimed clay and other clay bodies at cost.

The Studio Apprenticeship Program will be most impactful to those who want to pursue ceramics long term. Our Apprenticeship program is a good fit for individuals with:

• Interest in learning more about ceramic studio management & maintenance.

• A desire to be a part of the “back of the house” processes at the Pottery.

• Goals of setting up a home studio as a serious hobbyist, pursuing a career as a full time potter, pursuing a job as a ceramics studio tech or manager, or pursuing a degree in ceramics.

• Intermediate to advanced experience in ceramics.

• At least a year of experience with ceramics, either at Pottery Northwest or another ceramics studio.

The Studio Apprenticeship program is not open to intro level students because the time commitment to learn how to work with clay is already high. For example, if you are a beginning wheel throwing student, you will be spending 3 hours a week in class, and will probably need to commit to an additional 3-5 hours a week of “practice time” in order to make progress in mastering ceramic techniques. With the apprenticeship commitment of an additional 4 hours a week, you would be spending 10 plus hours a week at Pottery Northwest, during the early stages of learning a new skill. Your learning might suffer - and that’s not good for anyone!

If you are interested in participating in the Studio Apprenticeship Program solely because of financial need, please consider applying for a scholarship.

• We base this relationship on 1 year.

• We ask apprentices to select one 4-hour on-site shift per week during the quarter, on a set schedule in coordination with our studio team.

• We rely on you. Our apprentice crew is a key part of making the magic happen at our studio. Apprentices are asked to show up on time for shifts and prepared for the tasks on deck for the day.

• We get dirty. Working in a ceramics studio is physical, dusty/dirty and sometimes a bit smelly. You need to be comfortable bending & lifting up to 50 pounds, standing on ladders and wearing protective gear (gloves, respirators, etc).

• Life happens. While we ask our apprentices to make their commitment thoughtfully, we also appreciate life balance. We do understand that you most likely are a full time student, have your own independent practice or class you’re enrolled in, and other life commitments. We will work with you if you need to take time off from your responsibilities to ensure studio coverage.

• One-on-one instruction and mentorship covering a wide range of studio & business practices over the course of the 1 year commitment

• Unlimited studio access

• 4 free quarter-long courses

• Unlimited access to reclaimed clay, other clay bodies at cost

• First choice of opportunities for seasonal paid studio support work, including assistant teaching opportunities

WEEKLY STUDIO TASKS

• Mixing & sieving glazes

• Checking & adjusting specific gravity of our glazes

• Recycling clay and glaze waste

• Mixing & pugging clay

• Loading/ unloading kilns

• Programming & firing kilns

• Cleaning kiln shelves

• Draining & cleaning rinse sinks

• Making test tiles and cone packs

• General studio cleaning

We typically open applications twice a year and accept 1-3 new apprentices each round.

Before you decide to apply, we usually ask folks to reflect on the following questions. This helps us design a more thoughtful experience for you!

• Why do I want to do an apprenticeship?

• What am I looking to learn or gain from this experience? Are there specific technical or professional skills I want to learn?

• What kind of time commitment can I realistically make to this apprenticeship? Will there be time to make my own work if I am also balancing an outside job or my education?

• Adults (18+) who have at least one year of experience in ceramics (from taking classes/workshops at the Pottery NW studio or elsewhere)*

• Individuals who can commit to their shift for the duration of the one-year commitment.

*Preference is given to applicants who have taken a prior class or studio access at the new Pottery Northwest studio in Pioneer Square.