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Collections and Archives Assistant

Program stream:
Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations
Job title:
Collections and Archives Assistant
Organization name:
Anna Leonowens Gallery - NSCAD University
Job location:
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Length of assignment:
2021-06-07 to 2021-08-24 (11.14 weeks)
Hourly wage:
$18.00
Since 1968 the Anna Leonowens Gallery has been devoted to the exhibition of contemporary studio and media art, craft and design, and curatorial projects generated exclusively within the NSCAD community. Weekly exhibitions primarily feature student work, with occasional shows by faculty members, visiting artists and curators, and graduate thesis projects. To date Anna Leonowens Gallery has mounted over 4600 exhibitions, with many NSCAD students having shown their artwork publicly for the first time. A critical yet nurturing environment, the galleries are a key component of a student's education into the realities of life as a practicing artist. Unique within the Canadian university system, the galleries allow students to experience the full template for future exhibition practices.
Over its 53-year history, the Gallery has managed NSCAD University's Permanent Collection, which includes works collected over the school's 134-year history. As with any collection, the works are diverse and include a range of traditional, historical and contemporary fine art and craft pieces, artifacts and specialized collections (i.e.) NSCAD Lithography Collection, President's Collection, and various department-teaching collections. The NSCAD Permanent Collection holds works by well-known national and international artists, local nationally renowned artists and past NSCAD instructors; as well as collected cultural and historic artifacts from local Nova Scotians. These works are installed on campus in publicly accessible areas such as the NSCAD libraries, NSCAD business office and NSCAD President's office. These works are also requested for temporary exhibitions. This collection has proven to be a fabulous resource for researchers, curators, NSCAD students and faculty.

The Collections and Archive assistant will handle, sort, inventory, identify, arrange, describe, digitally photo document and properly preserve selected artwork and materials in the NSCAD Permanent Collection and archival materials in the NSCAD Archive according to the Council of Nova Scotia Archive standards and Canadian Museum Standards. One of the successful candidates will focus on the Lithography workshop archive and the other on the Dawson Letterpress Collection.

The successful candidate will possess the following:
- be currently enrolled in full time studies at a Visual Arts, Museum Studies or Collections Management program and returning to full-time studies in the Fall 2021.
- very good interpersonal skills and an ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing in English
- intermediate photographic skills required
- intermediate research skills required
- excellent writing skills
- intermediate computer skills required for image/text processing and database entry
- must be able to work methodically with high attention to detail
- must be able to work independently for periods of time
- gallery/museum experience an asset though training seminars will be provided
- specialized knowledge of art/craft studio practices an asset
- interest in working with archives
- experience working with and/or an understanding of archives will be considered an asset.

All applicants must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have refugee status in Canada, and be under 30 years of age at the start of employment.

The Anna Leonowens Gallery is committed to equity in its policies, practices, and programs, supports diversity in its learning and work environments, and ensures that applications for members of underrepresented groups are seriously considered under the NSCAD employment equity policy. All qualified individuals who would contribute to the further diversification of our community are encouraged to apply.


The deadline for applications is 5pm Thursday May 20th, 2021. A cover letter and resume with contact information for 2 references should be emailed to mcolosimo@nscad.ca with subject line: YCW - Collections Application.