Western Front is one of Canada’s leading artist-run centres located on the unceded, ancestral, and occupied, traditional lands of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations of the Coast Salish peoples in Vancouver, Canada. Founded in 1973, Western Front delivers a multidisciplinary program that supports artists to produce and present work, and to foster public exchange at a local, national, and international level. We do this through new work commissions, exhibitions, performances, concerts, publishing, residencies, and workshops. Western Front also preserves and provides access to an ever-growing archive that documents the organization’s history of artistic programming and production of media artworks.
Job Description
The Assistant Curator reports to and assists the Executive Director to realize artistic projects with a multidisciplinary team of guest curators, artists, arts organizations, and diverse communities. This includes providing curatorial and administrative support to assist in the production and presentation of exhibitions, commissions, artist residencies, live performances and events, public programs, and catalogues/published material. In addition, the Assistant Curator may have the opportunity to generate original programs. The role is essential to the team’s collegiate work environment, and liaises with all internal departments and with the professional art world in Vancouver and beyond.
Terms: Full-time, permanent
Hours: 35-hours per week, occasional evenings and weekends required
Salary: $43,680
Benefits: Health and dental benefits, 4-weeks vacation
Application Deadline: May 20, 2022, 4:00 p.m. PDT
Interviews: Week of May 30, 2022
Start Date: Late June
Responsibilities
Programming
- Provide general curatorial support to Western Front’s Executive Director and team of guest curators, from the research and development stage of artistic projects through to their realization.
- Work with artists and their representatives, arts organizations, and communities to facilitate artistic projects on time, within budget, and to agreed specifications.
- Assist with the coordination of logistical needs for artist/curator visits including arranging travel, accommodation, per diems, and event-related logistics.
- Assist with hosting visiting artists/curators, including coordinating itineraries, transportation, and hospitality.
- Organize transport and insurance for borrowed artworks, and perform registrar duties.
- Assist with project budgets, including obtaining estimates and processing invoices and expenses.
- Assist with photo and video documentation of artistic projects.
- Update and keep accurate project files and records, and prepare material for internal transfer to archives.
Communications
- Help coordinate, write, and edit material to promote, publicize, and interpret artistic projects and related public programs, including project descriptions, labels, didactic materials, press releases, newsletters, and website content.
- Assist with gathering and writing information about the artistic program for grant applications, final reports, and other organizational needs.
- Request, store, and return images and obtain copyright permission for use in print and digital publications and communication materials.
- Help to ensure the accuracy of information in all Western Front print and digital publications.
- Assist with the maintenance of contact, mailing, and guest lists.
- Assist with Front of House duties for exhibitions and events.
Other
- Represent Western Front at public events, meetings, and networking opportunities.
- Any other duties as requested by the Executive Director.
Qualifications
- Experience, education or training in a discipline appropriate to work in a multidisciplinary arts centre such as arts, art history, performance studies, museum studies, or curation.
- A passion for and genuine interest in the multidisciplinary work presented by Western Front, including knowledge of contemporary art, media art, performance, music, and literary practices.
- Excellent written, oral, and presentation skills, including the ability to confidently research, copy edit, and speak publicly.
- Attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects concurrently, effectively prioritizing tasks and managing timelines.
- Demonstrated commitment to working collegially and collaboratively to build respectful and trusting relationships with a diverse group of staff, community members, and stakeholders.
- Ability to work both autonomously and with others in a highly collaborative work environment.
- Proven facility with Mac OS, Google Suite, Microsoft Office, Adobe CS, an asset.
How to Apply
Please submit a brief cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact details for three professional references to info@westernfront.ca with the subject “Assistant Curator Applications” by Friday, May 20, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. PDT. We thank all applicants, and advise that only applicants shortlisted for an interview will be contacted.
Employment Equity
Western Front actively supports equity, diversity, and inclusion. We believe that diversity strengthens and enriches us, and are committed to helping to make the arts and cultural sector a more diverse and equitable place. We encourage, among others, Indigenous people, people from racialized communities, women, people with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities to apply. If you wish to self-identify please do so in your cover letter.
All qualified candidates are welcome to apply, however Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and those who hold a Canadian work permit will be given priority.
Accessibility
Western Front is partially accessible. We are currently conducting feasibility planning to improve the accessibility of our beloved but challenging heritage building. If you have specific questions relating to accessibility, please email: info@westernfront.ca
