Position Details
- Position: Junior Fellowships (2 positions)
- Duration: January-December 2024
- Status: Full-time/Part-time (renewable)
About Artist David Milne (1882-1953)
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is home to the richest public holdings of the life and work of Canadian artist David B. Milne, which includes the Thomson Collection of Canadian Art.
David B. Milne, an artist who had a career spanning five decades, left behind an extraordinary collection of writings that offer unique insights into the art of his time and the creative process. These writings are written with a literary sensitivity that aligns with modern stream of consciousness. While curators and researchers have produced valuable scholarly literature on Milne’s art, there is no single publication that provides easy access to his extraordinary writings.
Thomson Canadian Art Junior Fellowships at the AGO
The AGO, with generous support from the Thomson Family, is embarking on a one-year research project dedicated to David Milne’s writings, with a special focus on works within the Thomson Collection of Canadian Art. A Scientific Committee, including Dr. Anne-Marie Ninacs (Thomson Canadian Art Senior Fellow) and Georgiana Uhlyarik (Fredrik S. Eaton Curator, Canadian Art, AGO), will lead this project, in collaboration with Dr. David Franklin (Curator, Thomson Collection) and Dr. Amy Furness (Rosamond Ivey Special Collections Archivist and Head, Library & Archives, AGO).
Two junior research fellowship positions will be created as part of this project, offering emerging scholars a unique opportunity to work closely with Dr. Ninacs and contribute to the following objectives:
Key Responsibilities
- Research David Milne’s works and writings in the AGO and Thomson holdings.
- Collaborate with scholars, curators, and colleagues across the AGO to generate new research and mentorship opportunities.
- Provide financial support, institutional access, and intellectual stimulation to the emerging generation of art historians.
- Connect and engage with scholars, curators, archivists, peers, and conservators.
- Conduct critical scholarly research on Milne’s extensive collection of work, building on digitized archives.
- Contribute to increased knowledge of the works in the Thomson Collection through research on their context of emergence.
- Generate foundational material for an Annotated Reader, bringing Milne’s own voice to light.
- Facilitate new research and scholarship about Milne’s life and work.
- Develop an association with Milne experts and scholarship in French-speaking Québec.
- Interpret and contextualize a portion of the 5,000-page archive held by the AGO.
Fellowship Responsibilities
- Assist in the development, updating, and maintenance of a comprehensive list of writings.
- Compile digital transcripts of Milne’s writings.
- Contribute to the compilation of an Annotated Reader of the artist’s writings.
- Assist in researching individual objects.
- Maintain a bibliography and research materials.
Qualifications
- Graduate or post-graduate degree in contemporary art, graphic design, media, or related fields.
- At least five years of relevant research and experience in curation, collections, and exhibitions.
- Strong interest in and specialized knowledge of contemporary art and design practices.
- Excellent research, writing, communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Fluency in English. Additional language abilities would be ideal.
- Good project management and organizational skills.
- Attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
Compensation
- Each Fellow will receive a CAD $20,000 stipend for the one-year placement.
- Part-time position (up to 15 hours/week).
- Some funds are available to cover travel expenses for candidates outside the Greater Toronto area.
How to Apply
Please submit your application by email to Curatorialintern.Canadian@ago.ca with “Thomson Canadian Art Junior Fellowships at the AGO” in the subject line by November 15, 2023.
Please note that due to the high volume of applications received, we are unable to contact each candidate individually regarding the status of their application. We will keep your resume on file should appropriate future openings become available.
About the AGO
At the AGO, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace dedicated to hiring individuals who reflect the communities we serve. We welcome and encourage all interested candidates to apply for this new and exciting opportunity, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups in the museum field, including candidates who are BIPOC, LGBTQ2S+, women, and people with disabilities. If you require accommodations at any point in the hiring process, please let us know, and we will be happy to provide them.
As one of North America’s leading art museums, the AGO welcomes close to 1 million visitors annually and is deeply committed to making art and lifelong learning accessible to everyone. Our ambitious vision is to lead global conversations from Toronto through extraordinary collections, exhibitions, and programs, reflecting the people who live here.
