Employment Opportunities

CURATOR

Employment: Full-time

Closing Date: Posting will remain open until the position is filled.

The Opportunity

Thunder Bay Art Gallery is seeking a Curator to join the senior leadership team and guide the exhibition program and the daily activities of the curatorial department. Plans for a new 37,500 square foot Gallery to be built on the shore of Lake Superior on the City’s waterfront are advancing, making this a period of substantial growth and opportunity for the organization. The Curator will play an essential role in building the future for the Gallery in its exceptional new location. Thunder Bay Art Gallery offers an environment of possibility, creativity and growth that the right candidate will find challenging and satisfying.

We are seeking an individual who is …

Knowledgeable and passionate about art

You enjoy enlivening gallery spaces with both original and touring exhibitions that are thoughtful and relevant. You look for innovative connections that will invite people to see visual art in new ways. You are familiar with the visual style, the honouring of tradition, and the historical relationships expressed in works by contemporary artists who are Indigenous.

Committed to the collection in your care

You undertake plans with a solid understanding of proper storage, handling and conservation of a unique and growing art collection. You seek out donations and opportunities to build the collection as you come to know its depth and character.

Talented at networking

You value the collaborative energy in a small organization and readily draw on the skills and knowledge of the Gallery leadership and your colleagues. You recognize that building connections with emerging and established artists is key to keeping the Gallery relevant within the art community. Networking with other professionals comes naturally, as does advocating for the Gallery with art organizations and funding agencies when required.

Committed to engagement

You are enthusiastic about the learning opportunities at the Gallery. You share the information about exhibitions with Gallery colleagues as a support to programming, promotion and fundraising. You are happy to do media interviews, speak at openings and help orient Gallery guides. You write for the Gallery’s various audiences, while drawing on the artistic discourse in Canada and beyond. You have experience in the production of exhibition catalogues.

Bold in your thinking

You are inspired by the Art Gallery’s planned move to Thunder Bay’s waterfront. You are ready to take on the big tasks associated with new acquisitions, exhibition planning and moving the collection. The opportunity to dream and grow with the Gallery fits with your career path.

Qualifications

• Three to five years of experience working in a cultural institution in a curatorial capacity.
• Masters level degree in Art History or a related discipline.
• In-depth knowledge if both historical and contemporary Canadian art, with an emphasis on contemporary Indigenous art.
• Experience developing and managing a permanent collection.
• Experience managing/supervising staff.
• Demonstrated success in writing grant applications.
• A publication record.
• Exceptional writing and public speaking skills.

Thunder Bay Art Gallery and the Community

Thunder Bay Art Gallery is the only public art gallery between Sault Ste. Marie and Kenora. The Gallery’s mandate to exhibit and collect contemporary Indigenous art and the work of emerging and established regional artists is unique within the city and region. Each year, the Gallery presents about 20 exhibitions, drawing from our permanent collection and featuring work by local and regional artists in solo and group exhibitions. The Gallery regularly schedules relevant touring exhibitions on loan from other institutions. Through its programs and partnerships, the Art Gallery is a strong contributor to the cultural life of Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.

The city of Thunder Bay is on a journey of reflection and reconciliation with the goal of building a safe and inclusive community where all citizens are honoured for their value and contribution.

How to Apply

Submit a cover letter and resume by email to:
evan@spezialerecruiting.ca
Thunder Bay Art Gallery
PO Box 10193
Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 6T7