Assistant Curator – Carleton University Art Gallery (CUAG) Roster of Duties
Type of position: Casual Start date: 8 December 2014; preceded by 1 week of training in November Expected hours of work: Monday-Friday, 9 -5 Rate of pay: $30.91 per hour Benefits: 4% vacation pay To apply: Please send your CV and a cover letter to Sandra Dyck, Director of Carleton University Art Gallery, by 6 October 2014. (
[email protected])
The Assistant Curator is a key member of a small but dynamic team at Carleton University Art Gallery. The Assistant Curator works with CUAG’s Director to carry out the exhibition program. S/he coordinates most exhibitions at CUAG. S/he collaborates with various parties to realize exhibitions, including artists, art collectors, public and commercial galleries, and guest curators. S/he arranges fine art transportation services to ship exhibitions to/from CUAG, and insurance coverage of same. S/he oversees the physical installation and unique requirements of all exhibitions, working with the Director and Collections/Exhibition Assistant to achieve their installation and takedown. The Assistant Curator maintains CUAG's website, which includes researching and writing the content, editing and fact-checking texts submitted by external partners, locating and preparing suitable images, settling related copyright issues/fees, and updating the site. The Assistant Curator writes interpretive texts (including introductory panels, didactic labels, and promotional blurbs) that are presented in the gallery. The Assistant Curator also edits, factchecks and proofs texts submitted by external partners, including guest curators. The Assistant Curator works with CUAG’s Education and Community Outreach Manager and Director to carry out an innovative public program to enhance exhibitions, which may include talks by artist and curators, symposia, lecture series or tours. S/he actively works to connect Art History and other University units to CUAG by suggesting and coordinating ways in which gallery events can reach students and effectively integrate CUAG into university life. The Assistant Curator supervises the undergraduate and graduate practicum students. S/he monitors their progress and oversees their projects. The Assistant Curator assists the Director with collection registrarial duties, including administering and caring for art works loaned to CUAG from private collectors and public institutions and loaned by CUAG to public institutions, and preparing insurance reports for same. S/he provides information about the collection to researchers, students and the public. The Assistant Curator assists the Director in the work of processing gifts of art to the collection including: cataloguing and arranging photography of art for appraisal; commissioning external appraisals, and preparing applications to the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board. The Assistant Curator works closely with the Director in seeking additional funding for CUAG by gathering and providing exhibition-related and other information in support of applications to foundations, and to government funding agencies such as the Canada Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council. The Assistant Curator is responsible for applying to government funding agencies to secure grants for summer student employment.
The Assistant Curator assists the Director in promoting CUAG's program and marketing its public profile in the media, the University community, and the public by initiating and maintaining relationships with a broad cross-section of community groups. S/he contributes to maintaining and developing CUAG’s image in the arts community by attending exhibition openings and special events at other galleries. S/he hosts artists or other CUAG guests and leads tours of CUAG for special groups. The Assistant Curator assists with publicity, including writing media releases, preparing advertisement and invitation copy, and contributing to CUAG’s social media presence. S/he must adopt a consistently proactive approach to publicity work in order to assure coverage of CUAG in the media. Educational and Experience Requirements: Master’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Curatorial Studies or a related field along with one to two years of continuous management of a curatorial program in a university or public art gallery or museum, or as an independent curator, with a demonstrated record of continuous management of an exhibition program.
