Assistant Curator, Engagement Jobs

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Museum, Level A

Job Title

Assistant Curator, Engagement

Department

Curatorial Support | Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery

Compensation Range

$4,688.67 - $6,754.00 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

September 7, 2023

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the day prior to the Posting End Date above.

Job End Date

Oct 29, 2025

Please submit a cover letter along with your application to this position.

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The Assistant Curator, Engagement position is a temporary two-year term appointment at the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery.

Reporting to the Associate Director/Curator, the Assistant Curator, Engagement contributes to the planning, implementation and day-to-day management of all curatorial aspects of programming at the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery as part of the Gallery's strategic priority to support welcoming, accessible programs focused around the exchange of ideas in person and online. The Assistant Curator, Engagement works closely with the Associate Director/Curator and Belkin team on the development and realization of exhibitions, public programs, performances, online content, and printed matter. The Assistant Curator, Engagement manages curatorial activities from conception to production by contributing to research, content production, fostering relationships with artists and partners, project management and event coordination. This involves collaboration with the Belkin team, artists, cultural producers, and a range of University and external organizational partners. The role requires knowledge of contemporary art and curatorial strategies, and experience in curatorial research, project management, administration, and written materials. As a key member of the team, participates in activities related to institutional planning, growth and development including workshops and staff retreats.

The Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery at UBC is mandated to research, exhibit, collect, publish, educate and develop programs in the field of contemporary art. The Gallery is situated on the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) People. The Gallery promotes understanding and discussion of contemporary art and contemporary issues in art history, criticism and curating, with a focus on our region in an international context. The Gallery is an internationally recognized Category A institution and houses the University’s art collection of over 5,000 objects, one of the largest public collections of art in British Columbia. The Gallery also holds one of the largest artists’ archives in Canada and oversees the University’s outdoor art collection on the Vancouver campus which includes twenty-five works. Through a program of exhibitions, publications, loans and special projects, the Belkin participates in the national and international community of institutions concerned with contemporary art. The Gallery operates as a unit in the Faculty of Arts and participates in the training of student curators through the Critical and Curatorial Studies Program in the Department of Art History, Visual and Theory.

Organizational Status

The Assistant Curator, Engagement reports to the Gallery's Associate Director/Curator and works collaboratively and in dialogue with all Gallery staff, student employees and interns. Collaborates with a variety of artists, cultural producers, knowledge holders and a range of University and external organizational partners.

Work Performed

• Researches and writes curatorial and didactic information as required and develops website content and communication tools related to projects.
• Works with all Gallery staff and collaborators to ensure that materials and information are obtained as per the planned schedule.
• Fosters community by facilitating welcoming, accessible programs focused around the exchange of ideas in person and online.
• Manages project team meetings and works with project team and outside collaborators to create and manage work plans.
• Provides day-to-day project management by preparing and maintaining project budgets and timelines, arranging agreements, accessibility requirements, event coordination and acting as a liaison between Gallery staff, artists, suppliers, contractors and collaborators.
• Other related duties as required.
• Coordinates and manages all phases of projects initiated by the Gallery or co-produced with other institutions, from the conception and research phase to production, delivery and documentation.
• In dialogue with the Associate Director/Curator and Registrar, identifies and locates objects for exhibitions and publications, along with the appropriate lenders and copyright holders.
• Researches artists, local and global movements and networks of art and the broader field to pinpoint timely and relevant program topics and contributes this knowledge to the Belkin Curatorial and Programming team.
• Alongside Associate Director/Curator, manages relationships with artists and partners.
• Contributes to the planning, implementation and day-to-day management of the Gallery's curatorial priorities and initiatives by researching, contributing to and coordinating the development and realization of exhibitions, public programs, performances, online content, and printed matter.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Coordination and management of exhibitions, public programs and online content in a university art gallery requires significant knowledge of contemporary art and educational expertise as well as a high degree of adaptability, problem solving, coordination, cultural sensitivity and communication with other staff, artists, campus partners and external contractors. The incumbent must make decisions and exercise judgment independently based upon a thorough knowledge of procedures and guidelines. Errors in judgement resulting in inappropriate or inaccurate content, failure to complete projects, or meet deadlines could result in financial loss and/or a negative impact on the Gallery’s and University’s reputation and relationships with artists, institutions, donors, and funding agencies etc.

Supervision Received

Works independently under general direction of the Associate Director/Curator to meet set objectives. Work is reviewed in terms of achievement of objectives.

Supervision Given

Supervises and/or provides instructions to auxiliary staff and graduate and undergraduate student employees.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline. Minimum of three 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

Masters degree preferred in relevant discipline such as art history, visual arts, curatorial studies or museum studies. Experience working in a contemporary art gallery or museum context in a similar capacity. Knowledge of contemporary art history and art practices, and Indigenous art history. Demonstrated commitment to contemporary art and its engagement with communities and audiences.

• Ability to work effectively and comfortably both independently and collaboratively with a team.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a project-based environment and handle multiple and concurrent priorities.
• Demonstrated commitment to accuracy and detail with the ability to maintain a calm and composed presence.
• Demonstrated experience using MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), WordPress, Adobe (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat) and social media platforms.
• Ability to plan, prioritize and execute workflow to meet deadlines under pressure.
• Some weekend and evening work are required.
• Experience developing, planning and coordinating public programs and special events.
• Experience with digital video and audio recording and editing an asset.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Experience developing and leading discussions and educational tours about contemporary art to diverse audiences (general public, university students, elementary or high school)
• Familiarity with museum standards and practices, copyright, and experience handling artworks.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Strong researching and writing skills and experience writing about visual art, editing and proof reading.
• Strong public speaking skills.
• Experience training and supervising staff and student employees.
• Ability to exercise keen judgment and discretion with artists, partners and the public.