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Employment Opportunities

CURATOR, Thunder Bay Art Gallery

Deadline for applications – December 15, 2009

As the sole Curator of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery, this senior staff person develops a program of exhibitions and public programs focusing on three broad areas: work by contemporary Canadian Aboriginal artists; artists from Northwestern Ontario; and contemporary Canadian artists through original and borrowed exhibitions.

The development of the permanent collection and support of the audience development and outreach initiatives of the Gallery are other key areas of concentration for the Curator.

A Masters Degree in Art History or the equivalent and two years of curatorial experience in a public art gallery are required.

Impeccable communications, interpersonal, research and organizational skills are necessary as is a strong interest in building community partnerships. A firm knowledge of Canadian Aboriginal art and artists is extremely important.

As a medium size Gallery with a broad and flexible programming mandate, we provide an environment of possibility, creativity and growth that the right candidate will find challenging and satisfying.

The full job description is available below.

Send CV, references and samples of curatorial writing to:

Sharon Godwin, Director
Thunder Bay Art Gallery
P.O. Box 10193,
Thunder Bay, ON P7B 6T7
Or by email to segodwin@theag.ca

THUNDER BAY ART GALLERY

Position Description

Job Title:        Curator

Status:           Full time, salaried

Supervisor:     Executive Director

JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Summary:    

The Curator is accountable to the Director of the Gallery for the development of an ongoing exhibition program and for the documentation, development, and maintenance of the Gallery’s Collections.  The Curator, in accordance with established goals, objectives, policies, and procedures, will assume the following tasks and responsibilities:

Develop, recommend and implement a programme of original and incoming exhibitions that will fulfil the mandate of the Gallery

Manage, conserve, and develop the Permanent Collection of the Gallery.

Assist in the promotion of the Gallery and its educational impact on the community.

Coordinate the activities of the Curatorial Department.

Major Duties:

The Curator recommends and implements a program of original and incoming exhibitions that will reflect the Gallery mandate :

Develops and recommends an exhibition program that reflects a balance between the core areas of the mandate, media, regional and national artists, and thematic direction. Develops exhibitions for travel to institutional and alternative spaces by researching and coordinating the creation of original exhibitions, the production of exhibition catalogues and relevant educational materials.
Negotiates and contracts for the loan of artwork from artists, institutions, and private sources.
Designs, supervises and participates in the installation of exhibitions.
Develops and manages an annual program budget in conjunction with the Executive Director.
Prepares and assists in the preparation of grant applications.
Provides assistance in fundraising, sponsorship and promotional activities in relation to the program and the collection.

The Curator manages, conserves, and develops the Permanent Collection of the Gallery:

Develops and implements policies and procedures for documentation, registration, storage, handling, loans, acquisition, and deaccessioning of works of art in the collection.
Recommends acquisitions and donations of works to the Acquisition Committee for Board approval.
Facilitates gifts to the collection and negotiates purchases of works.
Seeks out available grants for acquisitions.
Recommends the authorization of loans from the collection and supervises the preparation of loans and acquisition records.
Supervises and/or conducts research on the Collection.
Manages the maintenance of records related to the Collection.
Sets conservation priorities for the Gallery’s Collection.

The Curator assists in the promotion of the Gallery and its educational impact on the community by:

Researches and prepares, or supervises the preparation of exhibition catalogues, gallery guides, educational materials, and documentation to assist in the interpretation and educational impact of the exhibition program and assisting in public inquiries.

Researches and prepares articles, publicity information, and marketing materials which relate to the Collection or exhibitions within the Gallery.
Participates in media interviews and public speaking engagements.
Assists in the training of docents.
Assists in the implementation of a program of public activities, in coordination with the Gallery’s Educator. These activities may include conducting of Gallery tours and lectures; speaking or lecturing to community groups on request; developing educational programs, slide programs, film series etc. for the public.

The Curator is responsible for the supervision of the Curatorial Department:

Controls, plans and schedules the activity of the department.
Supervises the Registrar and co-op and field placement students.
Completes the performance appraisal of supervised staff and students.

General Duties:   

Works with other staff to implement the overall goals of the Gallery, and completes other duties as required, and as assigned by his/her supervisor and in accordance with the policies and guidelines of the Gallery.

Organizational Relationships:

The Curator is directly responsible to the Executive Director of the Gallery. The Curator supervise the duties of the Registrar.  The Curator will work in conjunction with the Registrar, the Fundraising/Marketing Coordinator, and the Education Coordinator and will work as a part of the Gallery team with all members of the Gallery staff.  The Curator has frequent contact with the public, and volunteers and provides information and makes reports to the Board of Directors and Board Committees when required.