Job Opportunity: Curatorial Assistant

As The Polygon Gallery prepares for a series of significant exhibitions, publications, and outreach programs over the next year, the organisation seeks a Curatorial Assistant.

In particular, the Curatorial Assistant will be involved in all aspects of the coordination of the Gallery’s Response program, including administrative and communications tasks. Piloted in 2014, and redeveloped as an annual program starting in 2020-2021, Response includes a series of workshops led primarily by Indigenous artists and Knowledge Keepers, culminating in a presentation of participants’ media works at The Polygon. The Curatorial Assistant will also assist with research and coordination of the Gallery’s fall and winter exhibitions, and accompanying public programs, as needed.

In addition, the Curatorial Assistant will work on publications with tasks including, but not limited to: coordinating with designers and producers; compiling and managing texts, video, audio, and images; securing permissions, royalties, and credit information; and developing distribution networks.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have completed a diploma or degree program from a university or college in history, art history, cultural studies, curatorial studies, museum studies, visual art studies, or a related discipline, with an interest in and/or familiarity with contemporary visual art.

Priority will be given to a candidate that has a commitment to and competency in approaches to education that address decolonization, anti-racism, and social and ecological justice in light of the TRC Calls to Action.

She/he/they will have excellent research, writing, and communications skills, in addition to strong attention to detail and organizational skills. Familiarity with scanning software and Adobe Photoshop is an asset. The candidate will have a positive attitude with an ability to work independently and collaboratively on multiple tasks.

Candidates must meet the following requirements: be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada; be legally entitled to work in Canada; be registered with Young Canada Works online; be between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment; and do not have another full-time job (over 30 hours a week) at the time of applying for this job. Preference will be given to members of the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, səl̓ilwətaɁɬ, and xwməθkwəýəm Nations. This position is funded through the Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage (for a complete list of candidate eligibility criteria, click here).

The position will begin September 7, 2021 and end March 31, 2022.

Salary / Hours: $21 per hour, 35 hours per week, flexible hours including weekends

To apply, please visit the Young Canada Works (YCW) login page and click on the “Sign up” link (or “Sign In” if you already have an account). You will be required to enter contact information and details on your educational and work history. Once you have created your account, you can browse job opportunities via the “Search for a job” link in your YCW account. To express interest in this position, click on the Curatorial Assistant job title for The Polygon Gallery and then on “Express interest in this job”.

Applications will be accepted until Sunday, August 8, 2021. Questions can be directed to Nicole at n.brabant@thepolygon.ca.

Image: Ema Peter