The Opportunity

Join our dynamic team at Nanaimo Art Gallery! The Gallery Technician shares the Nanaimo Art Gallery team’s values of relevance, relationships, innovation, and openness. Reporting to the Curator, the Gallery Technician is responsible for art handling, exhibition installation and de-installation (working alongside the curatorial team), as well as exhibitions, gallery, and collection maintenance. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Gallery Technician is responsible for building maintenance and related issues.

Hours:  30 to 37.5 hours/week, negotiable

About Nanaimo Art Gallery

Located in the heart of Nanaimo, on the lands of the Snuneymuxw, Nanaimo Art Gallery is an ambitious public art museum that engages and inspires our community through art.

We honour the Snuneymuxw people and the territory on which the Gallery operates, carrying ourselves with qwum qwum uy’shqwalawun: operating in the spirit of “good heart, good mind.” With this intention, Nanaimo Art Gallery’s values are relevance, relationships, innovation and openness. We are a welcoming organization and a creative hub for Vancouver Island, where we build relationships, connect communities, and effect change through art.

An inquiry-based approach infuses and connects all Gallery activities and a small, dedicated team of staff, board and volunteers offers a program that is rooted in our unique regional context and resonates with audiences globally.

The Position

Profile of the Candidate

You are a problem solver who is hard working, adaptable and organized. You are excited at the opportunity to contribute to a growing art organization. On a daily basis you will work closely with your colleagues as a key member of a supportive team in which all voices are heard.

Drawing on your experiences, you will help realize multifaceted on- and off-site exhibitions, installations and presentations, and are responsible for the maintenance of the permanent collection, shipping and receiving artworks, and overseeing building maintenance. You will participate in a wide range of activities outside the exhibition space, including meetings, professional development, and other initiatives.

Responsibilities

Collaborating with the Curator, and with support from the Gallery team, responsibilities will include, but may not be limited to:

Installation, de-installation and maintenance of exhibitions, and maintenance of permanent collection

• Handling, installing, and occasionally transporting artworks
• Arranging pick-up and delivery of artworks
• Safely packing and unpacking artworks
• Readying exhibition space for installations (including painting, repairing drywall, etc.)
• Working in consultation with Curator, contract Preparator, and/or artists to install artworks and exhibitions.
• Setting up and maintaining audio/visual equipment and media-based artworks/installations in consultation with Curator and artists (working with staff and outside contractors as needed) 
• Providing technical support for on-site and off-site talks and presentations
• Lighting of exhibitions in consultation with Curator 
• Working with contract preparator and other contractors to fabricate items specifically for exhibitions 
• Monitoring and maintaining exhibitions while on display
• Monitoring and recording the gallery temperature and humidity levels
• Monitoring the condition of artworks in collection
• Managing the care and conservation of artworks, including matting works for display.

Working closely with the Executive Director your responsibilities will include, but may not be limited to:

Building Maintenance

• Monitoring and maintaining general building maintenance
• Arranging for trades contractors
• Assisting administration with purchase of equipment 
• Maintaining workshop and support spaces
• Acquiring quotes, ordering, purchasing and picking up equipment, supplies and materials for exhibition and building maintenance
• Regular monitoring of outside spaces
• Managing security system
• Responding to security emergencies

Requirements (Qualifications, Knowledge, Education and Skills)

• Ability to think critically, employ sound judgment, evaluate situations and engage appropriate parties at varying levels to arrive at solutions.
• Ability to successfully organize, prioritize and complete multiple planned and unplanned projects
• Knowledge of how to correctly pack, unpack and handle artworks
• Passion for art and culture
• Desire to contribute to and collaborate with a creative team
• Proficiency in common communication tools (MS Office, Google Suite, Zoom, etc) 
• Valid class 5 drivers license and a reliable vehicle
• Ability to lift heavy objects

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in IT maintenance and troubleshooting and AV equipment and technology
• Practical and technical skills such as carpentry, maintenance and painting
• Knowledge of a wide range of building materials and methods
• Knowledge of occupational health and safety requirements for safe building practices and correct lifting techniques
• University degree in a related field such as visual art, audio and visual media, curatorial studies. Trades degree with experience will be considered
• 3-5 years experience in curatorial department, in collections management, as technician in art gallery/museum or equivalent related experience
• A combination of education and experience will be considered