Hot Glass Programs Demonstrator/Narrator - 3 Year Term at The Corning Museum of Glass – Corning, New York

About The Corning Museum of Glass

The Corning Museum of Glass (CMoG) was established in 1951 by Corning Glass Works (now Corning Incorporated) as a gift to the nation commemorating the company’s 100th anniversary. CMoG is an independent not-for-profit museum dedicated to exploring a single material: glass. Welcoming more than 300,000 annual visitors from around the world, the Museum's campus is home to the world’s most comprehensive collection of glass, the world’s foremost library on glass, and one of the premier glassworking schools in the world. CMoG was named by the New York Times among the U.S. museums to see for 2025, and Newsweek readers voted CMoG one of the Top 3 Best Art Museums in America.

Glass is a versatile, ancient material that is still being explored and understood by artists, scientists, and historians today. The story of glass is a story about art, history, culture, technology, science, craft, and design. 50,000+ objects representing more than 3,500 years of history are included in the Museum’s collection—ranging from a portrait of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh to a 200-inch telescope lens to contemporary sculpture. The Museum regularly publishes journals, educational videos and scholarly publications—many of which can be accessed online from anywhere in the world.

We believe that prioritizing diversity, opportunity, belonging, and accessibility strengthens our Museum and enhances our ability to connect with all communities. We are actively fostering an inclusive culture that values and respects a wide range of perspectives and experiences. Creating a culture of belonging is central to our mission and helps ensure the Museum is welcoming to all.

Summary

This role is a full time three-year term position. The Hot Glass Programs Demonstrator/Narrator will present and narrate glassmaking and glass properties demonstrations at the Corning Museum of Glass and at remote locations for the Hot Glass Programs team. Produce appropriate, well-crafted, glass objects and provide a world-class experience for all audiences while developing glassmaking skills. Cross train to demonstrate glassblowing, flameworking and glass breaking. Provide engaging, informative, and accurate narrations, reflecting strong interpersonal communication and public speaking skills. Excellent assisting skills for both Museum and guest artists. Comply with and support all safety and other Museum policies and procedures.

Responsibilities (Essential functions denoted with *)

Demonstrator/Narrator

Deliver engaging presentations in flame working, furnace work, and glass breaking as trained. Produce well-crafted objects to demonstrate traditional and contemporary glassmaking techniques for all audiences.Maintain and expand a varied portfolio of objects and demonstration techniques which meet Museum standards.Direct glassmaking team while demonstrating. Communicate clearly what is being made, how it will be executed, and the role of each member of the team. Determine and deliver appropriate shows in terms of duration, technique, and complexity.Responsible for maintaining overall quality of demonstrations. As narrator, can simultaneously address the audience and assist the demonstrator in making glass objects to the demonstrator’s standards. Deliver accurate and engaging narration of demonstrations.Address and hold attention of large audiences through complex processes over time spans up to two hours at a time. Modify narration using inclusive communication practices that support guests (or ensure accessibility for guests) across a wide range of ages, abilities, backgrounds, and developmental stages.Continually expand knowledge on the history, craft, technology, and art of glass. Possess excellent assisting skills with proactive attention to the needs of the Museum gaffers and guest artists.Work at offsite programs such as flameworking outreach and the Mobile Hot Shop as needed.Support initiatives and programs in collaboration with Education and Interpretation, Programs, Events, and the Marketing and Communication departments. Participate in the production of MADE product line and other Shops initiatives.

General

Actively and intentionally supports CMOG’s commitment to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion.Actively support the Museum’s Advancement initiatives. Comply with all Museum safety and environmental regulations, procedures, practices and rules. Work to support and promote safety every day. Become familiar with the Museum collection, exhibitions, layout, and the Rakow Research Library. Work to maintain current knowledge of the collection and exhibitions. Meet all Museum standards regarding demeanor, professionalism, appearance, and work ethics while at the Museum and while traveling.Set up demonstration work area, select and prepare tools, supplies and equipment as needed and appropriate.Ensure that equipment and tools are in good operating order; charge furnaces and restock supplies as required. Perform routine housekeeping during and after each performance to maintain an orderly appearance of work area and stage.Clean, take inventory, and store hand tools at the end of each day.Monitor glass and supplies required for demonstrations. Charges furnaces as needed.Maintain regular communication with Managers and Senior Manager while onsite and offsite.Participate in Hot Glass Programs and Events team meetings as requiredActively participate in production efforts and income-generating initiatives like MADE Independently produce Bologna bottles for Glass Breaking Demo.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

A minimum of 2-5 years of Glassmaking experience. Bachelor’s degree preferred.Strong knowledge of glass studio equipment.Fluency in English (written and spoken) required, foreign languages desired.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Respect and exemplify the mission, vision, and values of the Corning Museum of Glass in all interactions with colleagues, staff, volunteers, and the public.Represent the Museum in a professional manner at all times.Adhere to all prescribed organizational and departmental policies and procedures.Ability to create excellent quality and a wide variety of glass objects to Museum’s standards.Ability to conduct hot glass demonstrations while narrating simultaneously. Strong interpersonal skills; work effectively and professionally with people at all levels including external stakeholders and Museum visitors. Excellent customer service and presentation skills.Ability to work with people from a variety of cultures, maintain an appropriate voice for diverse audiences.Work independently as well as part of a team with minimal supervision; strong collaboration skills.Availability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays; flexibility in hours required.Availability for occasional regional, domestic, and international travel as needed.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to remain in a stationary position, move about, operate/use equipment, communicate, detect/distinguish and reach. The position requires sustained repetitive motion. The employee is occasionally required ascend/descend, position oneself, detect/distinguish (smell regarding workplace safety – gas leaks, etc.). Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, and peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

The employee must regularly move/transport up to 50 pounds.

The work environment is regularly under extreme heat (non-weather) and exposure to Wi-Fi/RF radiation. The work environment is regularly indoor climate controlled. The work environment is frequently indoor not climate controlled, outdoor weather conditions, and extreme heat (non-weather). The work environment is occasionally wet/humid, work near moving mechanical parts, odors, fumes, airborne particles, and vibration. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Safety Responsibilities

The employee shall be fully acquainted with and comply with all safety policies and procedures of the Corning Museum of Glass.

Confidentiality

Maintain confidentiality of information related to the Corning Museum of Glass and employees that may be encountered, either formally or informally, during the normal course of business.

Disclaimer

The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed and is not an inclusive summary of job duties and responsibilities. The omission of specific statements of duties or responsibilities does not exclude them from the position. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the Corning Museum of Glass as the needs of the Museum and requirements of the job change.

The pay range for this role is:18.25 - 22.25 USD per hour(Corning Museum of Glass)