Art Gallery jobs in Canada

Founded in 1931, the Vancouver Art Gallery is recognized as one of North America’s most innovative visual arts institutions. The Gallery’s celebrated exhibitions, extensive public programs and emphasis on advancing scholarship focus on historical and contemporary art from British Columbia and around the world. Special attention is given to the accomplishments of Indigenous artists, as well as to those of the Asia Pacific region—through the Institute of Asian Art founded in 2014. The Gallery’s exhibitions also explore the impact of images in the larger sphere of visual culture, design and architecture.

The Vancouver Art Gallery is a charitable not-for-profit organization supported by its members, individual donors, corporate funders, foundations, the City of Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia through the BC Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts.

As an Assistant Curator, Acquisitions at the Vancouver Art Gallery, you’ll work alongside our Senior Curator and other talented curators to assist in shaping the future of our permanent collection and collection exhibitions. With your deep knowledge of contemporary and historical art, gallery procedures, and research methods, you’ll play a key role in the administrative responsibilities associated with acquiring new pieces and organizing exhibitions that bring our collection to life. You'll also collaborate closely with artists, designers, borrowing institutions, and gallery teams, serving as the vital link between all parties involved.

The position is geared specifically towards Gallery acquisitions and the collection and on occasion may also involve assisting curators in the research, development, and production of exhibitions and publications focused on the collection. Whether it's drafting texts, developing interpretive materials, or helping with schedules and budgets, your contributions will be instrumental.

If you're passionate about art and enjoy working in a dynamic, creative environment, this role will provide a fulfilling chance to contribute to the overall success of the Curatorial team and the Gallery’s strategic direction and divisional goals.

What You Will Do:

1. Generate bi-weekly acquisition review lists and outgoing loan requests
2. Take notes at acquisition meetings and distribute the minutes and action items in a timely manner
3. Prepare, including research and writing, acquisition justification reports
4. Liaise with Museum Services staff on proposed works and help coordinate the acquisition process from start to finish
5. Liaise with collectors and galleries (donors) on artwork donations and with artists on purchases and process invoices as required
6. Liaise with external contracts such as appraisers, writers and copy editors and process invoices as required
7. Work with Gallery photographers on acquisitions needs and with Rights and Reproductions to secure copyright for all acquired works.
8. Manage acquisitions files including proposals, receipts and agreements, appraisals, correspondence, and image files
9. Prepare materials for Board meetings
10. Assist with ongoing cataloguing and updates in our collections database (Axiell)
11. Research, write and complete all administrative tasks involved in applications to the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board (CCPERB)
12. Research, analyse and interpret works of art in terms of subject matter, style, technique and historical context, as directed
13. Working with a designated curator as directed, research, develop, organize and participate in the installation of exhibitions
14. Communicate and coordinate with team members, including Registration regarding loans, transportation and insurance requirements
15. Research, write, prepare and coordinate the production of exhibition and related publications, text panels, labels and other interpretive material
16. Answer in person and electronic enquiries from the public, as directed, regarding the Gallery, the collection, the exhibitions program, and art in general; refer complex enquiries to the appropriate curator
17. Visit artists’ studios, local art collectors and dealers, etc. in relation to planned exhibitions and publications, when requested
18. Participate in the development of team plans and initiatives; understand and champion organizational strategic and business goals, and recommend continuous improvement initiatives, innovative approaches, and the associated policies and procedures to achieve those goals
19. Model respectful and inclusive workplace behaviour through a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, including Indigenous ways of being, ensuring these principles are embedded in all the work we do

What You Bring to the Role:

You hold a degree in art history, museum studies or other relevant field at a college or university level and have at least four (4) years’ experience of curatorial and administrative work in an art gallery or museum, or an equivalent combination of training and experience. You bring considerable knowledge of contemporary and historical art, and the museum field, including methods and techniques required for research, and of professional practices and standards in the field, especially regarding collections and exhibitions.

Additional skills and abilities:

1. Ability to think innovatively and creatively in planning and developing a fresh approach to existing activities, with a continuous improvement perspective and incorporating best practices
2. Knowledge of best practices for collections management and experience with collections databases as well as excellent attention to detail
3. Knowledge of the procedures and techniques for acquiring and maintaining a fine arts collection, including documentation, policies and stewardship.
4. Working knowledge of the permanent collection as well as private collections in the local area, commercial galleries and of the local and regional art communities
5. Experience and competency in the Cultural Property application processes
6. Working knowledge of researching, coordinating and installation of exhibitions
7. Excellent writing skills with the ability to do research according to specific objectives and parameters
8. Ability to prioritize effectively, manage multiple projects and pressures related to deadlines
9. Excellent communication skills to liaise with artists, donors, Gallery staff and other external stakeholders
10. The nature of the work requires that the incumbent must maintain a high level of confidentiality in these matters

TO APPLY:

Please note that only applicants with Canadian citizenship, permanent residency or a valid work permit will be considered.

Email your resume and cover letter, in confidence, by Monday January 27, 2025, at 5pm, to the People & Culture department at hr@vanartgallery.bc.ca .

Research and writing are a major part of this position. Shortlisted candidates may be asked to provide a writing sample of their work. Examples include, but are not limited to, published or unpublished articles, reviews, or academic essays. The purpose of the sample is providing the employer with written materials that illustrate how you organize and clearly express your ideas. Successful candidates may also be asked to prepare a sample didactic panel or extended label.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those short-listed will be contacted.

To see more postings, see the full list at the right.

The BC Alliance for Arts + Culture is honoured to work on the traditional, unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and 240 other Indigenous communities across BC.