Associate Curator

 

 

Emily Carr University of Art + Design is a school of students, faculty, thinkers and makers unlike any other. Established in 1925, we are the only specialized, accredited, public, post-secondary university in British Columbia solely devoted to education and research in the creative sector and its associated knowledge economy. We merge research, critical theory and studio practice in an interdisciplinary environment, strengthening our work by the integration of our personal and professional practices. Our strategy, facilities, partnerships and resources are intentionally student-centred to foster dialogue, expression and open connections in support of the next generation of creative and cultural leaders.

 

The Associate Curator is responsible for conceiving, producing, and administering a diverse range of presentation, engagement, and publishing opportunities through Galleries + Exhibitions, which includes the Libby Leshgold Gallery, Michael O’Brian Exhibition Commons, ECU Urban Screen, ECU Press and READ Books.

 

The Associate Curator supports the Director + Curator through the management of assigned staff in the department, currently including the Bookstore Coordinator, the Head of Gallery Publishing and the Curatorial Assistant, and is responsible for all aspects of personnel management for assigned staff.

 

The Associate Curator works across the Emily Carr University community and in collaboration with local and international partners to support a program of exhibitions, public programs, publications, and residencies that bridge the educational environment of the university with the wider landscape of art and ideas.

 

As the successful applicant, you should possess:

 

• Bachelor’s degree in fine arts, curatorial studies, or art history. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum four years of curatorial experience. Experience working in a public institution an asset.
• Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience, and a thorough grounding in contemporary discourse around curatorial and exhibition practices.
• Experience and demonstrated success in administration, collection management, publication, and exhibition development.
• Experience with fundraising, including applications for project and operating grants and patron cultivation and management.
• Demonstrated experience producing projects of scale, including multi-partner and/ or international productions.
• Demonstrated and articulated approach to equity, diversity and inclusion, and a strong understanding of anti-oppression frameworks in the arts.
• Experience in the development and delivery of public art programs.
• Advanced knowledge of contemporary art and visual culture.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills.
• Proven skills in research, writing, and communication for general and scholarly audience.
• Active curiosity in research, ideas generation and program delivery.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with collaborators, artists and community members, across a spectrum of
• experience, background and cultural access.
• Exceptional writing skills, across formats and audiences.
• Ability to motivate, train and manage staff.
• Ability to be effective under pressure and multitask.
• Demonstrated effectiveness in working collaboratively with diverse groups and community members, and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace.
• Capacity to think creatively, analytically, and conceptually.
• Strong organizational and networking skills to foster cooperative alliances across the university and with other organizations.
• Aptitude for continual learning and adapting to change. 

 

Typical Duties include:

 

1. Working closely with and under the guidance of the Director/Curator, provide skilled and strategic leadership and planning in the development and presentation of exhibitions, public programs and publishing initiatives that are consistent with the requirements of the principal funding agencies and that enhance the reputation of the galleries, the bookstore, and the University as a centre for excellence in the presentation of contemporary art, media, and design.
2. Work across ECU communities to research, engage and activate the educational environment, including working with research
   assistants, faculty/ curricular collaborations, special projects, and professional development opportunities for students.
3. Work closely with the Director/ Curator and Registrar to activate and enhance the presence of the ECU Permanent Collection.
4. Develop fundraising initiatives and prepare grant submissions to support the galleries’ exhibition, publication, and public programs.
5. Conceive, research and present exhibitions in the galleries and develop strategies for the circulation of gallery exhibitions, nationally and internationally.
6. Develop connections to collaborate with international artists, writers, gallerists, publishers and public institutions for exhibitions and publications.
7. Support the public art programming of the ECU Urban Screen, including overseeing selection committees, partnerships,
   advisories and community engagement.
8. Work collaboratively with university leadership, Deans, faculty, and staff on programs and joint initiatives that connect exhibition and curatorial functions to the academic curriculum.
9. Manage assigned support staff: Responsible for orientation, development, and performance evaluation. Ensure staff are available to meet scheduled commitments, authorize work and vacation schedules, make recommendations on leaves of absence, overtime, and substitution. Lead hiring, dismissal, discipline and grievance procedures and collective agreement administration relating to assigned support staff.
10. Working closely with the Director/Curator contribute to the development of policies, priorities, procedures, and guidelines for all aspects of the operations of the galleries, university exhibition spaces, permanent collection, and bookstore.
11. Contribute to the preparation and monitoring of annual operating budgets for the specific areas of assignment within galleries and exhibitions.
12. As assigned, oversee the development and delivery of specific exhibitions and public programs to promote audience development for the galleries and its publications, Read Books and ECU Press such as, artist’s talks, symposiums, panels, book launches, readings, fundraising initiatives, and special events. Ensure quality and alignment with the mandate and strategic goals of the galleries, the bookstore, and the university. 
13. Oversee the creation and distribution of public relations material and press information for assigned events, which may include calendars, publications, catalogues, and promotional materials for the galleries and READ books.  Authorize the purchase advertising space as required.
14. Working with the Director/ Curator, oversee the Libby Leshgold Gallery website.  Liaise with Communications to ensure brand alignment and to maximize cost effective visibility for the galleries and READ bookstore.
15. Advise students and faculty on exhibition approaches and assist with student installations such as the annual Degree exhibition.
16. Organize meetings of the Gallery and Collection Advisory Committees and work closely with the Director/Curator to deliver those meetings.
17. Give lectures and workshops related to curatorial disciplines and studio courses as appropriate to the needs of the curriculum and the time demands of other duties.
18. Represent the Gallery and the University when attending international art exhibitions and fairs, speaking at international symposia and events.
19. Fosters a culture of Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) by remaining current in JEDI trends that impact the field of work and make recommendations to the Director + Curator, Galleries + Exhibitions for improvements in support of the ECU community, and the strategic goals of the University.
20. Perform other related duties as required.

 

 

To apply for this job, please visit https://ecuad.peopleadmin.ca. Competition closes on Tuesday, 2 April 2024.

 

 

Emily Carr University especially invites those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized. These include women, persons with diverse gender expressions and identities, persons of all sexual orientations, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and First Nations, Metis, Inuit and Indigenous persons. All qualified people are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.

 

 

 

 

Category

Education and Training Other