Assistant Curator, Walter Phillips Gallery, Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is seeking an Assistant Curator.

The Opportunity

The Assistant Curator provides organizational support, staff leadership, and collection-registration assistance to meet the diverse needs of the Walter Phillips Gallery (WPG) programs, the Banff International Curatorial Institute, and related projects. The Assistant Curator works closely with the Curator and the Director of Visual Arts on the development, implementation, and staffing of outreach and educational initiatives in the gallery.

Specific Accountabilities

Organizational Support and Logistics Management

• Maintaining schedules for Gallery and related events, coordinating critical paths for all Gallery activities and related new works projects, identifying scheduling conflicts.
• Providing support in data collection for grant preparation, final reporting, and other fundraising efforts.
• Schedules and oversees the day-to-day workflow of the Exhibitions and Special Projects Coordinator and Gallery Assistant.
• Oversees the distribution and archiving of all Gallery materials including publicity, reviews, slides, photos, audio/visual materials and files.
• Receive, mediate, and fulfill requests from staff and departments for on campus art installations and moves.
• Mentor WPG Practicum Participants.
• Curate exhibitions for the WPG Satellite Spaces from time to time.

Exhibitions / Collections Management

• Providing organizational and administrative support to the Curator, artists and guest curators, and coordinate WPG programs.
• Liaising with artists and/or their dealers/estates/collectors to discuss the organization of loans and/or commissions.
• Research loans and makes arrangements for loans to exhibitions and special projects.
• In consultation with the Curator, responsible for implementing all aspects of registration, insurance, customs, conservation, maintenance, packing, shipping, storage, inspection and condition reporting, and acquisitions of art and collections in accordance with WPG protocol. Monitors all loans to exhibitions on daily basis.
• Work with Director, Curator and Preparator, artists and external curators on installation design.
• Coordinating touring exhibitions (prepares contracts, books and coordinates shipping, prepares information binder as well as packing and shipping instructions for venues, organizes storage) and publications.
• Oversees the administration of all general inquiries and public requests into works in the permanent collection, image requests, collections research requests, and all other general inquiries.
• Compiling information for WPG exhibition and permanent collection labels and text panels, writing interpretative material for multiple platforms where applicable.

Public Programming / Audience Development

• Organize and deliver training on conducting exhibition tours for WPG staff and Practicum Participants
• Staff opening receptions and special events for the Gallery and, in collaboration with other Gallery staff, ensure smooth running of events.
• Maintain relationships with the general public, professional organizations and associations specifically related to the gallery and assist in establishing and maintaining effective contacts with the arts, cultural, government and business communities locally, nationally, and internationally.
• Occasionally work the Gallery front desk, interacting with the public and providing impromptu tours.
• Maintain a personal profile as a working professional in the gallery field, and keep abreast of developments in the curatorial and visual arts fields.

Catalogues and other printed material

• Coordinate and oversee the production schedule of catalogues, exhibition guides, and other exhibition related materials and Visual Arts publications
• Complete scholarly research to support the Curator and Director including image research and copyright agreements; obtain copyright permissions for use in publications and communications materials; assist with drafting contracts for writers and copyright holders; proofread texts and make recommendations for edits; identify and coordinate editors as necessary; source estimates for printers; coordinate and oversee the production of limited edition prints and other exhibition merchandise

Qualification and Educational Requirements

• University degree in art history, curatorial studies, and/or museum studies with a specialization in contemporary art. Masters’ degree preferred.
• 3 to 5 years’ experience in a museum, gallery, or arts organization setting.
• Previous experience in a mentorship and/or supervisory role.
• Excellent planning and organizational skills, capable of working on multiple projects to completion with minimal supervision.
• Excellent public presentation and written communication skills.
• Able to produce work to a high standard under pressure while working independently and as part of a team.
• Able to prioritize workload effectively and deal diplomatically with a wide variety of people including Banff Centre staff and the public.
• Demonstrates an excellent attention to detail and function.

Special Requirements

Candidates offered a position with Banff Centre, in this capacity, will be required to obtain a criminal record check verifying a clear record before a final job offer can be finalized.

Employment Terms & Benefits

The salary and job description for this position are currently under review.

In accordance with CUPE 4318, this is a unionized, salaried support staff position, subject to a 6 month probation period.

The starting salary for this position will be from $45,298.50 annually, working 37.5 hours per week. The successful candidate will be eligible to participate in the extended medical and dental benefits plans after satisfying a qualifying period and will participate in an employer-matched pension plan.

In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, Banff Centre offers a supportive work environment, a staff cafeteria, subsidized fitness memberships, staff events, and free or reduced admission to many Banff Centre performances and events.

Application Process

We are accepting applications for the Assistant Curator until Sunday December 16, 2018. Applications must include a cover letter demonstrating how your experience translates to this position and why you are interested in becoming part of our team.