Curatorial Research Assistant
- Program stream:
- Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage
- Job title:
- Curatorial Research Assistant
- Organization name:
- Blackwood Gallery
- Job location:
- Mississauga, Ontario
- Length of assignment:
- 2017-07-24 to 2018-03-30 (34 weeks)
- Hourly wage:
- $18.00
Blackwood Gallery, University of Toronto
Start date: July 24, 2017
End date: March 31, 2017
Wage: $18.00/hr
The Curatorial Research Assistant will be responsible for assisting in the research, development, and delivery of a significant Blackwood Gallery public art project to take place on the University of Toronto Mississauga campus and in various sites throughout the city of Mississauga. Titled The Work of Wind: Air, the multi-sited exhibition will explore the potential of contemporary art to present a plurality of perspectives on environmental violence, seeking to reorient Canadians’ comportment to global environmental issues.
Working closely with the Director/Curator and Project Manager, the Curatorial Research Assistant will assist in conducting ongoing thematic research supporting the project’s curatorial focus, researching University and city policies on public space, sourcing materials and exploring logistical needs for artists’ commissions, compiling publication materials, and developing a training program for docents from the University’s Work-Study program. In addition, the Curatorial Research Assistant will work closely with gallery staff on the research and development of the Blackwood’s 2018-2020 exhibition, outreach, and publication programs.
Responsibilities:
• Assist in the research and development, and execution of The Work of Wind: Air
• Maintain an active thematic research collection on issues pertaining to climate change, natural resources, environmental violence, and public greenspaces in Canada
• Compile artist research, assemble materials for publication, and assist in researching the logistics of permanent on-campus installations
• Research and implement outreach programs for students, and develop a training methodology for Work-Study student docents
• Create research files for prospective future public art commissions, with an emphasis on Indigenous artists in Canada and artists working in site-specific, performative, and ephemeral modes
• Compile research on public art commissioning policies from across the world
• Work with senior curatorial staff at the gallery to assess the success of public art programming and implement future planning
• Work with senior gallery staff, as well as visiting artists, curators, and educators to build a professional knowledge of curatorial practice and public art projects
• Other curatorial research pertaining to future projects, as applicable
Qualifications:
• Recent graduate (within 24 months) of an accredited post-secondary institution with a degree in arts administration, art history, visual arts, environmental studies, or a related field.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Suite. Working knowledge of HTML an asset.
• Strong knowledge of and interest in contemporary art in Canada. Knowledge of art practices and gallery operations. Knowledge of contemporary Indigenous art, performance art, conceptual art, and site-specific practices a definite asset. Knowledge of and interest in contemporary environmental issues also considered an asset.
• Excellent research and time management skills.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent attention to detail, ability to meet deadlines, organize and prioritize tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a team as well as independently. Experience working with various publics and community members a definite asset.
• Previous experience within a gallery or art museum context is an asset.
• Previous project coordination or event management experience an asset.
Eligibility
• All applicants must qualify for Young Canada Works funding: http://canada.pch.gc.ca/eng/1459433313024
• As part of the University of Toronto Mississauga, the Blackwood Gallery is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, members of sexual minority groups, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.
For more information about the Blackwood Gallery, please visit blackwoodgallery.ca
We thank all candidates for their application; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Please submit cover letter and resume electronically (mail and fax submissions will not be considered) to:
Petrina Ng
Exhibition Coordinator
Blackwood Gallery
3359 Mississauga Rd, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6
(905) 828-3789
petrina.ng@utoronto.ca
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