We're Hiring: Curator (Collections and Special Projects)

Closing Date: May 13, 2024 at 11:59pm EST

THE ORGANIZATION 
A university-based, public art gallery since 1942, McIntosh Gallery collaborates with artists, curators and academics to develop innovative strategies to interpret and disseminate visual culture. Exhibitions, educational programs and special events provide a platform for engagement with visual art and artists. McIntosh Gallery acknowledges the support of the Government of Canada Department of Canadian Heritage, the Canada Council for the Arts through its Engage and Sustain Program, the Ontario Arts Council, Western University, Foundation Western, and our generous donors.

THE POSITION
The Curator (Collections and Special Projects) will contribute to advances in emerging museological and curatorial practices at the McIntosh Gallery, including collections, exhibitions, programming, access, and sustainability, while furthering and broadening our understanding of Canadian contemporary and historic art. Inspired and creative, the role will have a significant impact on identifying, developing, and implementing paradigm shifts in museum practices across all areas of the gallery. The position is divided between assigned special curatorial projects and general curatorial work, including research on the collection and new acquisitions, work on the presentation and interpretation of the collection, participation in exhibition and publishing projects, and opportunities to give public lectures and guided tours to a broad range of visitors. This role will act as an ambassador for the McIntosh at all levels of public engagement. 

The Curator will develop, implement, and manage a comprehensive collection audit to identify gaps, strengths, challenges, and opportunities for change and growth. The audit will inform the thinking and realignment of McIntosh’s collection focus, research, exhibitions, policies, and procedures. Simultaneously, this position will lead the research, planning, and implementation of a de-colonizing strategy for the gallery, and work to broaden the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples, BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+, global minorities and other equity-deserving groups and individuals. The Curator will play a key role in the future direction of the gallery through participation in strategic planning, feasibility studies, and business planning activities together with the development of related strategies informed by the results of the collection audit and de-colonizing work. In addition to forging a path forward for the McIntosh, this future oriented work will help advance relevant priorities identified in Western’s strategic plan.

Please note: This is a temporary full-time role with a contract end date of July 31, 2026.

Key Accountabilities

Collections:

  • Working collaboratively with gallery staff, relevant university departments, faculty, students, artists, curators, and community organizations, develops and implements a comprehensive collection audit that will identify gaps, strengths, challenges, and opportunities for change and growth.
  • Leads the research, planning, and implementation of a de-colonizing strategy for the gallery, and works to broaden the inclusion of Indigenous Peoples, BIPOC, 2SLGBTQ+, global minorities and other equity-deserving groups.
  • Ensures the relevant goals outlined by Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples are properly considered and addressed.
  • Provides direction and support in all areas of collection management including future strategies for research, development, preservation, documentation, cataloging, and exhibitions of the collection.
  • Based on the outcomes of the audit, de-colonizing research and initiatives, and the strategic plan:
    • Proposes a realignment of McIntosh’s collection focus, research, exhibitions, programming, policies, and procedures.
    • Identifies, develops strategies, and proposes art work for acquisition and deaccession.
    • Researches and prepares information for presentations related to possible acquisitions.
  • Responds to scholarly and public enquiries about works in the permanent collection.
  • Oversees and/or prepares CCPERB applications.
  • Researches, writes and/or oversees a series of narratives for social media on the permanent collection.
  • Researches and writes grants related to collection care, engagement, and management as required.
  • Researches, develops, and maintains contacts and relationships for the on-going advancement of McIntosh’s policies, procedures, and acquisitions.
  • Working with gallery staff, ensures the collection is accessible to various researchers, students, and publics through exhibitions, programs, research and study opportunities, partnerships, collaborations, online sources including providing on-site support to researchers and students as required.
  • Supports the development, evolution, and animation of the ArtShare program.

Exhibitions, Research & Publications:

  • As a member of the curatorial team, participates in research on and implementation of the artistic program by designing exhibitions based on works from the collection and occasionally, exhibitions by or inclusive of contemporary artists.
  • Develops and delivers an overarching, integrated, collection inspired, exhibition program that makes space for diverse narratives in a way that values and empowers different worldviews and forms of knowledge. The program should consider:
    • Development of innovative curatorial strategies.
    • Thematic, solo, and group exhibitions, residencies, installations, digital, and interdisciplinary art practices.
    • Research and development of a touring exhibition, to share the story of the collection and increase the profile of the McIntosh across the country.
    • Scholarly research related to collections and curatorial practice.
    • Supporting broader engagement with university initiatives and priorities.
  • Oversees and coordinates publications, didactics, labels, and other material production as required.
  • Researches, writes, and coordinates a series of collections-based publications to supplement and animate the series of exhibitions, contributes new knowledge to the canon, as well as the production of a major publication that tells the story of the McIntosh collection.

Programming:

  • Collaborates with colleagues to deliver on organizational and curatorial priorities with a focus on the development and implementation of exhibitions, ancillary programming, collection building, and access including but not limited to: lectures, tours, workshops, happenings, events, and other interpretive and engagement initiatives.
  • Develops a curatorial ancillary program that builds meaningful relationships with diverse communities across the university and broader community and develops mutually beneficial partnerships, while creating new and creative opportunities to connect to the social and cultural potential of the collection.
  • Develops and facilitates programs, events, and activities across campus and in the broader community to spark engagement and generate qualitative and quantitative input for the collections audit, strategic plan, and decolonizing initiatives.
  • Gathers, documents, and organizes input and feedback, ensuring all information is reflected appropriately in reports and other documentation.
  • Oversees and manages the evolution of A Driving Force.

General:

  • Identifies, researches and assesses significant and relevant sustainable trends, issues, and opportunities.
  • Develops and manages work plans, timelines, and action steps necessary to complete special projects, exhibitions, and other related projects at various stages of development.
  • Develops and manages related budgets including monitoring and reviewing expenditures and patterns of expenses.
  • Fosters strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders including faculty, staff, students, artists, public art galleries, collectors, dealers, related businesses, and community partners that will support strategic relationships and strengthen institutional and community links.
  • Researches and proposes initiatives and best practices as it relates to accessibility and engagement for underserved and equity deserving groups, BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, youth, as well as individuals with unique needs and different abilities.
  • Represents the gallery and acts as its liaison through relevant community collaborations, as well as committee, university, and community meetings.
  • Researches and writes grants as required.
  • Works with the marketing team to develop content for social media, marketing, newsletters, etc.
  • Provides training to staff, volunteers, docents, etc., on exhibitions, artistic projects, audit, and de-colonizing initiatives.
  • Works closely with colleagues to maintain a respectful, collegial, and enjoyable work environment.

Qualifications

Education

  • Master’s Degree in Art History, Visual Culture, Museum Studies, Curatorial Practice or relevant discipline

Experience

  • 2 years of recent and progressive experience working within a public art gallery with collections and curatorial related duties
  • Experience developing and conducting independent research projects and initiatives
  • Experience leading, overseeing and coordinating volunteers, individuals, and teams
  • Experience within a public or university gallery would be an asset

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Attributes

  • Demonstrated knowledge and capacity to develop strategies toward decolonizing the collection and broader gallery practices
  • Current knowledge of contemporary, historical, interdisciplinary, digital, and public art practices
  • Knowledge of gallery methods and techniques including technical and aesthetic dimensions of collections, exhibition installation including planning, design, implementation, and all job-related technologies and best practice
  • Current knowledge regarding collection management best practices and collection data base applications
  • A commitment to view the art institution through a different lens, in a way that will facilitate an openness to consider and create a new way of working that compels the McIntosh to rethink what we do, who we do it for, and how we do it
  • Evidence of curatorial achievement including research and publication, exhibition planning and execution, and collections management
  • An inclusive and inspiring work philosophy that values and utilizes the expertise of diverse individuals and groups (artists, teams, colleagues, other museums, stakeholders) as they achieve curatorial goals and artistic projects together
  • Familiarity with best practices for reviewing and writing grant proposals with a track record of successful grant writing
  • Ability to apply creativity, innovation and resourcefulness to daily work
  • Ability to be flexible, embrace change, and consider diverse points of view
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills with an ability to develop reports, present lectures, workshops, gallery tours and related programs to general, professional and related public
  • Ability to organize and prioritize work effectively with an ability to multitask and maintain a positive disposition under pressure
  • Project management skills to manage multiple projects simultaneously from conception to completion within tightly prescribed timelines
  • Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office and Google Sketchup
  • Demonstrated capacity to stay up to date on relevant social and cultural trends
  • Ability to work within a flexible schedule to accommodate the gallery’s events and activities as determined by project and organizational need
  • Must have own transportation with ability to travel between multiple sites; Valid Class G driver’s license required

Background Checks
Please note, successful applicants will be required to produce a current, clean driving abstract prior to commencing employment.

Western Values Diversity
The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

To Apply
Interested candidates can apply online through Working at Western via recruit.uwo.ca. Job ID: 34839

Please Note: We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.