Curator of Global Sikh Art and Culture

ROM is Canada’s largest museum of Art, Culture and Nature. Situated in the most diverse major city in the world, Toronto, in the Province of Ontario, known for pluralism, openness and global perspectives, ROM is well positioned for the future and for an even greater role on the world stage. By leveraging ROM’s strengths and capabilities, and applying them in fresh and far-reaching ways, by investing to create greater engagement through inclusion, transdisciplinary thinking, digital practices and innovation, ROM is charting a new and bold way forward as it pursues its goal to become one of the world’s foremost museums. Learn more about ROM’s Strategic Direction.

ROM is uniquely positioned to become a vibrant hub for Sikh Art & Culture. The South Asia community is the largest visible minority in Canada, the greatest percentage of which is the Sikh/Punjabi community, numbering some 950,000 people, almost half of whom reside in Ontario. The achievements of the Sikh community are such that April has been established as Sikh Heritage Month in Ontario.

ROM seeks a thoughtful, strategic curator, gifted at communications and alliances, with a strong background in historical and contemporary art and diasporic arts from or relating to the mid-17th century janamsakhi tradition, the former Sikh kingdoms and the larger Punjab region. Reporting to the Co-Chief Curator Art and Culture, the Curator of Global Sikh Art and Culture will lead the programming and presentation of Sikh art and culture through galleries, exhibitions, and other initiatives following ROM’s Strategic Direction and in collaboration with local communities, artists, and scholars locally and globally. Guided by ROM’s institutional vision for the broader South Asia galleries and collection, and in close collaboration with the Senior Curator of Global South Asian Art & Culture, the curator will develop and implement a strategy to build and interpret ROM’s Sikh art and culture collection. ROM offers a unique opportunity to substantially expand this collection’s holdings of historical and contemporary material in line with museum best practices and an acquisition development plan the curator will develop. The curator will expand the reach of ROM scholarship and museum initiatives through publications, lectures, and research. In the context of ROM’s strategic direction toward a more global, transdisciplinary storytelling model, the Curator of Global Sikh Art and Culture will be well-versed in the current conversations regarding the role of museums in society and in relation to indigenous cultures. This curator will champion cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary perspectives to highlight the relevance of ROM’s collection of art, culture, and nature in contemporary societies.

The Global Sikh Art & Culture program, itself housed within ROM’s South Asia Initiative, will explore the varied histories and artistic contributions of Sikh and Sikh diasporic communities through connections within South Asia and with various cultures and traditions across the globe.

ROM’s collection of Sikh art and culture is currently of modest size but noteworthy quality. It ranges from historical paintings and other works on paper, arms and armour, and photographs to textiles and contemporary art. The curator will be a specialist within the field but also interested in broad issues and questions related to Sikh art and culture that has relevance in diasporic Canada and the contemporary world. Curatorial knowledge should extend widely regarding historical periods and media and emphasize ways in which Sikh arts have drawn from and transcended existing practices to develop unique forms of cultural expression.

• Within the context of the Global South Asia collections and suite of galleries, steward the Sikh art and culture collection, including growth, study, rotation and display, care and record-keeping, provenance research, digitizing and publication.
• Curate ROM’s Sikh art and culture collection with a commitment to collaboration, including with external community stakeholders and with internal curatorial colleagues and interpretive staff to generate important visitor-centric and transdisciplinary exhibitions.
• As part of an integrated team of ROM curators and staff, develop innovative and relevant interpretive approaches for the Sikh Art and Culture Gallery as a part of ROM’s Museum wide gallery planning.
  • In alignment with the vision articulated by the Senior Curator of Global South Asian Art & Culture, develop integrated themes and narratives situating Sikh art & culture within the larger South Asian context.
• Establish a 10-year Sikh art and culture collection development plan in alignment with ROM’s mission, vision, and strategic planning.
• Enhance the existing collection and provide new opportunities for interpretation and public engagement, through strategic acquisitions and loans.
• Work with Sikh partners and museum leadership in stewarding collaborations that may lead to repatriation or restitution of objects if needed, in accordance with ethical standards.

• Work collaboratively with museum educators and engagement staff to initiate programs and school curriculum related to Sikh art and culture and with community stakeholders to ensure programming is accessible and aligned with issues relevant to broad, contemporary audiences, including Sikh and non-Sikh communities.
• Work with interpretation and education colleagues, propose, prepare and give public programs, lectures, tours, and workshops to the general public, professional colleagues, volunteers, local cultural organizations, and other groups.
• Engage the many Sikh diaspora communities in the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, Canada, and globally, including business and cultural communities.

• In collaboration with fundraising staff, actively cultivate support for exhibitions, galleries, programs, symposia, acquisitions, research grants, and fellowships through association with cultural and professional organizations, foundations, and patrons at the local, national and international level.

• Maintain professional affiliations in scholarly and museum curatorial organizations, professional societies, and relevant committees.
• Strengthen connections with colleagues from the University of Toronto and other academic institutions in the Greater Toronto Area.
• Explore, maintain and promote relationships with museums and other cultural organizations nationally and internationally.

• Advanced educational attainment in South Asian art history, visual culture, material culture, anthropology, history or a closely related field with a specialization in some aspect of Sikh or Punjabi art and culture, or the equivalent in relevant experience, exhibitions and/or publications.
• A strong record focusing on the Sikh arts and heritage through curatorial, academic, and/or community activities.
• An ability to read and write Gurmukhi is required. Competency with a modern South Asian language is desired, Punjabi preferred. Urdu and/or French would be assets.
• Embodied connection to the Sikh/Punjabi community and a demonstrated knowledge and sensitivity to contemporary histories, issues, and concerns of the community.
• A strong background of work within a museum environment, knowledge of peer institutions, and experience developing and implementing programs and exhibitions, and working with internal and external stakeholders; experience working with issues of provenance is an asset.
• Track record of working successfully with community partners to establish institutional trust and repair relationships. Experience of navigating difficult conversations around contemporary politics and differing points of view is a plus.
• A record of peer-reviewed publications is an asset. There is an opportunity for cross-appointment to the University of Toronto.

• Intellectually curious with an appetite to engage in a wide array of topics.
• Ambitious for the institution and its efforts to develop strong networks into the local community and with established international scholars and institutions.
• Responsive to the ideas of others; a strong communicator and a door-opener, proactively seeking partnerships, networks and input from community members.
• Able to prioritize competing demands within a large, multi-layered, and active museum.
• Comfortable sharing authority with diverse stakeholders.
• Enjoys working as part of a strong and integrated team to build new experiences for ROM’s visitors.
• Aspirational to build high caliber programs, but patient and flexible, able to set incremental goals.
• Sensitive to cultural heritage and aware of the complex societal pressures present in this work.

• Proficiency in Punjabi and Gurmukhi.
• French is an asset.

• Facilitate research on the collection by outside/visiting scholars and develop one’s own program of original, scholarly research, usually relating to ROM collections and exhibitions.
• Work with the ROM Library to build resources on the study of Sikh art and culture.
• Participate in fulfilling the learning mission of the museum and may engage in university teaching or supervision of interns and students at the museum.

• Salary range is $68,487 - $150,000 CAD, in accordance with union collective agreement and based on years of experience.
• ROM is open to considering a range of candidates from an Associate Curator level up to Senior Curator, consistent with the candidate’s experience and the strategic goals of the museum. The salary increases according to rank and experience; the range is governed by Collective Agreement.
• Successful candidates will also receive 30 hours of coaching from MPD Culture Consultants during the first 6 months of their appointment.
• Full benefit coverage includes medical and dental plan, life insurance, long term disability, and pension.
• This is a unionized position, and the Curator will be a member of the ROM Curatorial Association (ROMCA).

Applicants are encouraged to apply electronically by submitting a single PDF file containing the following documents:

1. A cover letter expressing interest in the position, including brief examples of past experience in exhibitions, programs, and collections, as well as proposed research areas and projects.
2. A curriculum vitae.
3. Names and contact information for three references.

For inquiries or to submit an application, please contact Menon Dwarka at menon@mpdcultureconsultants.com or 647-719-9624.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY