Curatorial Assistant

VANCOUVER ART GALLERY

Regular, FT                                                                                               

The Vancouver Art Gallery believes creativity is fundamental to an open and engaged world. Bring your Museum and Gallery experience to one of Canada’s leading arts institutions, as we build a new, custom-designed and purpose-built space in the heart of downtown Vancouver.

As a Curatorial Assistant at the Vancouver Art Gallery, you’ll work closely with our Senior Curator, to bring exciting exhibitions and special research projects to life. Your experience in exhibition development, art production, and gallery operations will be key as you support our dynamic curators-in-residence program and other creative initiatives. Whether you’re tracking down specific details or uncovering broader insights, your role is all about diving deep into research, finding the best sources, and shaping information that helps drive our projects forward. With room for independent decision-making and creative problem-solving, you’ll play a vital part in enriching our curatorial work.

What You Will Do

• Liaise with curators-in-residence, curators, artists, lenders and the Museum Services department to research, coordinate and manage the development of exhibitions and special projects from preliminary planning and administration to installation
• Provide administrative support by developing and maintaining related databases
• Prepare a variety of letters, memos, texts, budgets and other support materials, including tracking, proofreading and filing for the department
• Research and write materials for presentations, proposals, acquisition justifications, labels and interpretive texts
• Assist in coordinating the logistical arrangements for exhibitions and publications
• Respond to public inquiries regarding exhibitions and publications
• Refer complex questions to curators or other staff
• Communicate and coordinate with team members
• Model respectful and inclusive workplace behaviour through a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, including Indigenous ways of being, ensuring these principles are embedded in all the work we do

This role contributes to the overall success of the Curatorial team and ensures contribution to the Gallery’s strategic goals.

What You Bring to the Role

As a successful candidate, you hold a post-secondary degree in Art History, Museum Studies or other relevant field at the University or College level, plus a minimum of two years’ experience working in a not-for-profit museum/gallery environment in an exhibitions-related position.  You have a demonstrated ability to effectively coordinate complex, logistical projects.

Additional Skills and Knowledge:

• Ability to think innovatively and creatively in planning and developing a fresh approach to existing activities, with a continuous improvement perspective and incorporating best practices
• Working knowledge of general museum style, The Chicago Manual of Style, and demonstrated research and writing skills in addition to strong editing, copy-editing and proofreading abilities with a keen attention to detail
• Demonstrated initiative and the ability to work independently in an accurate, confidential, and organized manner, meeting deadlines and exercising critical thinking and problem solving skills
• The ability to maintain successful working relationships with colleagues and outside stakeholders
• Experience with multifaceted databases and MS Office programs, possession of excellent office administration skills, oral and written communication skills, and the ability to research, synthesize, and write for different purposes

What We Provide for You

The Art Gallery wants you to be your best.  We provide our full-time and regular part-time employees with extended medical and dental coverage, long-term disability and life insurance, joint employer/employee pension contributions and generous vacation entitlements.

Compensation and Work Environment

Salary:  Pay Grade 17  $25.84 - $30.03

Hours:  Nine-day fortnight schedule, working 70 hours bi-weekly. 

This is a unionized position that falls under the jurisdiction of CUPE Local 15 – VMECW.  This is an in-office position at the Gallery’s downtown Vancouver location.

The Vancouver Art Gallery offers a welcoming, team-based culture and we are committed to providing equitable access to everyone.  We actively support accessibility, anti-racism, LGBTQ2S+ inclusion and we encourage diversity in our staff, visitors, volunteers, and programming.  We cultivate a safe space where all voices are heard, valued, and represented.  The Association stands against hatred, discrimination, racism, homophobia, and transphobia. 

The Vancouver Art Gallery is situated on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam), Sḵwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil- Waututh) Nations. The Vancouver Art Gallery commits to providing equitable access to everyone.

TO APPLY:

Please note that only applicants with Canadian Citizenship, Permanent Residency or a valid Work Permit will be considered. 

Please email your resume by Thursday October 10, 2024, to our People & Culture Department, via email at . 

Research and writing are a major part of this position. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to provide a writing sample of their work. Examples include, but not limited to, published or unpublished articles, reviews, or academic essays. The purpose of the sample is providing the employer with written materials that illustrate how you organize and clearly express your ideas. Successful candidates may also be asked to prepare a sample didactic panel or extended label.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those short-listed will be contacted. 

Our Values

The Vancouver Art Gallery commits to five core values that guide all that we do:

• We are respectful of the unceded Indigenous territory upon which we are situated
• We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment
• We believe that curiosity is a pathway to innovation
• We establish clear goals and expectations to cultivate a culture of accountability
• We foster successful collaboration through thoughtful communication and active listening

More About the Vancouver Art Gallery

Founded in 1931, the Vancouver Art Gallery is recognized as one of North America’s most innovative visual arts institutions. The Gallery’s celebrated exhibitions, extensive public programs and emphasis on advancing scholarship focus on historical and contemporary art from British Columbia and around the world. Special attention is given to the accomplishments of Indigenous artists, as well as to those of the Asia Pacific region—through the Institute of Asian Art founded in 2014. The Gallery’s exhibitions also explore the impact of images in the larger sphere of visual culture, design and architecture.

The Vancouver Art Gallery is a charitable not-for-profit organization supported by its members, individual donors, corporate funders, foundations, the City of Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia through the BC Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts.