The Or Gallery
The Or Gallery is seeking applications for the position of Director/Curator.
DETAILS
Job Type: Full-time Permanent
Start Date: Jan 1, 2023 or earlier
Hours: 35 hrs/week, flexible and with some evenings and weekends
Salary: $65-70K per annum based on experience, plus benefits and four weeks vacation
Application Due Date: November 4, 2022
ABOUT THE OR GALLERY
Established in 1983, the Or Gallery is one of Canada’s foremost artist-run centres. Founded with a mandate to support and develop innovative and idea-driven exhibitions, the organization remains committed to curatorial innovation and diversity. The Director/Curator’s curatorial and artistic vision is supported by guest curated exhibitions and curatorial residencies that emphasize the role diverse communities and discourses play in art production. The gallery values and engages in inclusive educational and mentorship programs for emerging curators and artists and also operates a bookstore specializing in artists’ publishing, editions, monographs, design publications, criticism and theory and journals and magazines.
THE ROLE
The Director/Curator is responsible for all aspects of the Or Gallery’s exhibition programming and organizational administration. The position reports to a volunteer Board of Directors and is currently supported by multiple positions (full and part-time), volunteers and interns. The Board is committed to working collaboratively with the selected candidate to review the structure of the Director/Curator position, and the organization as a whole, to ensure that the workload and expectations are manageable, sustainable and healthy. Innovative thinking in relation to programming, as well as administrative processes and strategic direction will be important.
THE CANDIDATE
The candidate will be a leader who demonstrates a knowledge and broad understanding of, and interest in, a range of contemporary art practices. They will also be interested in the dialogue between local communities of artists and international conversations and discourses; respectful to internal and adjacent communities of the Or Gallery; and committed to fostering community within the geopolitical and social contexts within which their communities operate. They will be willing to work with the Board to create structural changes that support experimental practices and long-term sustainability strategies.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Shaping and implementing all aspects of the curatorial program including communicating with artists, guest curators, writers, and cultural workers in the development of exhibitions, publications, public programming and other initiatives
- Preparation of successful grant applications and reports for municipal, provincial and federal funding bodies and other fundraising efforts at the core of the organization’s budget
- Developing and administering an annual budget, keeping accurate books, alongside the Treasurer, bookkeeper and auditors
- Overseeing, maintaining and planning for the physical operating space
- Managing staff, interns and volunteers, including hiring and training
- Managing the in-house bookstore
- Maintaining, growing and fostering new relationships with members, donors and various local and international communities
- Working with the Board of Directors in developing and reviewing policies, operational planning, organizational development, and fundraising
QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated a passion for, and an extensive knowledge of, contemporary art practices.
- Advanced degree or equivalent experience in visual arts, curatorial studies or related field
- Minimum 3 years experience in arts administration
- Experience in development and execution of curatorial and publication projects
- Experience in grant writing and fundraising
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Experience in financial management and planning
- Ability to be self directed, problem-solve and multi-task, individually and as a team, is imperative.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested individuals are asked to submit applications by Nov 4, 2022 to hiring@orgallery.org.
Applications should include a CV and Cover Letter that describes your background, practice and interest in the position.
We apologize that we cannot reply to all applicants. No phone calls please.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview and will be requested to provide:
- A writing sample (e.g. exhibition text, review, grant application)
- Up to 10 images of an exhibition(s) you have worked on
- A statement of curatorial vision.
- Names and contact information for 2 references
If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates, including those with diverse cultural workplace experiences, diverse backgrounds and orientations, those returning to work after a gap in employment, or taking the next step in a career path. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts and culture space and what you hope to bring to this role.
