Curator, Pacific Northwest + Contemporary Indigenous Arts

Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia

Deadline:

Dec. 11, 2024

Organization Description:

The Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia is committed to promoting awareness and understanding of culturally diverse ways of knowing the world through challenging and innovative programs and partnerships with Indigenous, local and global communities.

This position of Curator, Pacific Northwest + Contemporary Indigenous Arts is responsible for research, documentation, curation, and development of exhibition strategies for Northwest Coast First Nations components of the Museum’s collections, as well as contemporary Indigenous arts generally. The position is responsible for providing access to these collections and is expected to develop and maintain relationships with the relevant Indigenous and diverse other communities, including UBC and other interested groups and potential donors, to ensure the appropriate, respectful, and relevant management and display of the collection. The position requires responding to public and scholarly requests regarding Northwest Coast and other objects and histories; participating in the Museum’s collection acquisitions process; speaking on curatorial research and publishing such work; and curating exhibitions for the Museum.

Responsibilities:

Works with Indigenous and other communities of origin to ensure proper documentation of collections, carries out provenance research, and participates in repatriation/rematriation work.

· Develops exhibition strategies for Contemporary Indigenous Arts and Northwest Coast collections in the Museum’s Galleries.

· Curates exhibitions, including ensuring community engagement, selecting works to be included, attending exhibition team meetings, meeting deadlines, writing exhibition text, touring the exhibition, providing training to museum guides, participating in exhibition debrief sessions, and providing files for archiving.

· Facilitates access to the NWC collections proactively and in response to relevant requests from Indigenous communities, researchers, UBC courses and others.

· Works collaboratively with diverse communities, as well as UBC and other stakeholders, to ensure the appropriate, respectful, and relevant display of and research about the collection.

· Develops collaborative relationships with other units on campus to encourage the use of the collections in teaching, research, and community-based projects.

· Works toward ensuring full and updated documentation of collections for which they are responsible.

· Assists in creating digital assets of the Museum.

· Researches and writes about Northwest Coast art and culture, contemporary Indigenous art practices, and museum practice.

· Contributes to the development of MOA’s collections database by correcting and adding information, and by cataloguing objects in areas of expertise.

· Develops and prepares applications to granting agencies for specific projects.

· Represents the Museum at professional meetings and conferences, and speaks to and conducts tours in areas of expertise for a range of groups.

· Responds to public and scholarly requests regarding Northwest Coast and other objects and histories.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications: Master’s degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of six years of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience. Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own. Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Hold an MA in Anthropology, Art History, or History, and have research and/or exhibition experience.

- A PhD would be advantageous.

- Have specialized knowledge about and experience working with Northwest Coast Indigenous collections and contemporary visual arts more generally.

- Experience working with diverse Northwest Coast Indigenous communities and individuals, and knowledge of appropriate protocols for such work conducted in relation to museums and universities.

- Commit to developing MOA’s relationships with Indigenous communities.

- Demonstrated track record in research, publications, exhibitions, or appropriate curatorial outputs.

- Knowledgeable about Museum policies, especially in regards to ethical collecting and repatriation/rematriation.

Skills:

· Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

· Demonstrated ability to work with diverse Indigenous and other communities and individuals in relation to community-based, university, and museum protocols.

· Demonstrated ability in working with artists, communities and organizations, and other program partners.

· Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and time-management skills.

· Ability to travel and to work flexible hours when required.

· Ability to approach interactions with an awareness of sensitive issues (e.g., issues concerning museums and specific cultures).

· Ability to locate required information using a variety of methods (e.g., online information sources, manuals, expert sources).

· Ability to initiate and conduct research projects.

· Ability to think conceptually (i.e., use creative, conceptual, or inductive reasoning or thought processes to identify patterns in complex data, and identify key or underlying issues in complex situations).

· Ability to be thorough, accurate, and have a high level of attention to detail.

· Ability to gather, record, and organize information.

How to Apply:

All applications must be made through the Career Portal at the University of British Columbia.

Apply Here