Curatorial Fellow at the Marianne and Edward Gibson Art Museum, Simon Fraser University
Location: Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
Contract: Temporary, full-time
Duration: Three years from the appointment’s start date
Hours: 72 hours biweekly
Salary: CAD 69,102–82,420 per year
Position grade: 7
Application deadline: 25 September 2026
Number of positions: One
Work arrangement: Hybrid work may be available
The Marianne and Edward Gibson Art Museum at Simon Fraser University is seeking an early- or mid-career curator for its inaugural three-year Curatorial Fellowship.
During the fellowship, the successful candidate will develop and deliver a series of exhibitions, public programmes and other curatorial projects. The role will contribute to the museum’s research-led artistic programme through major exhibitions and special projects, alongside smaller curatorial initiatives involving the SFU Art Collection.
The appointment has been made possible through the support of the Audain Foundation.
About the Fellowship
The Curatorial Fellow will help advance the Gibson Art Museum’s vision of becoming an incubator for dynamic, cross-disciplinary curatorial research.
Projects may focus on artistic practices in British Columbia and their international resonance while drawing on the interdisciplinary possibilities offered by the university environment.
Working collaboratively with the museum’s Director, Exhibitions Manager, Collections Manager and Head Preparator, as well as university colleagues and external partners, the Fellow will contribute to every phase of exhibition production—from conceptual development and research to installation and evaluation.
The role will support the museum’s commitments to inclusivity, accessibility, experimentation and community engagement.
Responsibilities
The Curatorial Fellow will:
- Develop and deliver major exhibitions and special curatorial projects;
- Organise smaller projects involving the SFU Art Collection;
- Produce public programmes and other activities supporting the museum’s research-led artistic programme;
- Conduct curatorial and object-based research;
- Develop exhibition concepts and interpretive materials;
- Collaborate with artists, museum colleagues, university departments and external partners;
- Contribute to exhibition planning, production, installation and evaluation;
- Manage project budgets and timelines;
- Explore connections between artistic practices in British Columbia and wider international contexts; and
- Develop cross-disciplinary projects drawing on Simon Fraser University’s academic and research communities.
Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate will be an early- or mid-career curator with a research-led and curiosity-driven practice.
They should demonstrate:
- An ambitious approach to developing curatorial projects within a university context;
- An understanding of the practical constraints involved in delivering exhibitions and public programmes;
- A welcoming and inclusive professional practice;
- Strong active-listening and communication skills;
- A collaborative approach centred on positive relationship-building; and
- A commitment to accessible, experimental and community-engaged cultural programming.
Qualifications
Applicants should have:
- A master’s degree in Art History, Curatorial Studies or a related field;
- At least two years of relevant curatorial experience, or an equivalent combination of education and professional experience;
- Demonstrable knowledge of contemporary art and curatorial practice;
- Experience supporting exhibitions or public programmes within a gallery or museum;
- Exceptional research, writing and editorial skills appropriate to a museum or gallery context;
- Excellent organisational and project-management abilities;
- Strong interpersonal skills;
- The ability to work compassionately and collaboratively within a team; and
- Experience managing project budgets and timelines.
What Is Offered
Simon Fraser University offers eligible temporary employees affiliated with the Administrative and Professional Staff Association:
- An additional 7% of salary in lieu of benefits;
- An additional 8% vacation payment;
- Employer-paid extended health and dental plans;
- Professional-development funding for appointments lasting at least one year; and
- Access to a hybrid-working programme for eligible positions.
