Gallery Assistant Jobs

Gallery Assistant

Full-time Position

Join the hardworking and dedicated team delivering exciting arts and culture programs and activities to our community – and beyond. Reporting to the Gallery Manager, the Gallery Assistant supports the gallery program at the Aurora Cultural Centre, and includes acting as lead for the Mayor’s Celebration of Youth Arts exhibition as well as rotating exhibitions in a new community gallery space in Aurora Town Square (2024 onwards).

Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday.This full-time position requires the successful candidate to be available 37.5 hours per week and may be asked to work evenings, weekends, start early, and stay late as required.There is an expectation that the position will be at every gallery exhibition event unless previously excused by the Gallery Manager. Periods of over-time may be required from time to time.

The successful candidate will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, have interest in visual art and gallery presentation, exhibit proven facilitation skills, be aware of trends in the visual arts industry, be a generous and compassionate team member, and proficient in handling administrative tasks.

Organization Description

At the Aurora Cultural Centre, we believe that arts, culture, and heritage can play a role in changing our world and our community. This is the fabric that deepens our understanding of our shared experience and creates a more compassionate society. Since 2010, the Centre has welcomed the community to create and participate in diverse experiences for all ages. We proudly program four vibrant gallery exhibition spaces, a range of instructional classes for children, teens and adults, an eclectic live music series, special family events and summer arts camps. https://AuroraCulturalCentre.ca

At ACC, we embrace everyone’s uniqueness and recognize the strength that lies in differences. We believe in the power of our collective potential and strive to achieve a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace to empower and create opportunities for all. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their gender, age, religion, race, ethnicity, and nationality. Particularly equity deserving groups, such as members of the Persons with Disabilities, Black, Indigenous, other racialized candidates and/or candidates from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and anyone who may contribute to the further diversification of the Aurora Cultural Centre. Together we unite and inspire all Canadians to influence and affect the future of our community through the arts.

Context and Summary

The Aurora Cultural Centre operates out of a restored 1886 schoolhouse in a small community north of Toronto. The facility houses four purpose-built professional galleries curated by the Aurora Cultural Centre. Town of Aurora is engaged in a significant cultural infrastructure project called Aurora Town Square (https://engageaurora.ca/auroratownsquare) to complete an addition to the schoolhouse and add cultural amenities. The new facility is set to open in 2024.

We are currently operating offsite due to the cultural infrastructure project. The Town renovated an existing gallery space at Town Hall to allow us to continue gallery programming during the project. All gallery programming exists as physically installed exhibitions with a virtual gallery component.

Guided by the Aurora Cultural Centre’s current vision and mandate, history, and a need to meet programming in a diversity of genres and to all age groups, the Gallery Manager builds the artistic vision for the gallery programs, supported by the Gallery Assistant. The gallery programs include 5-10 gallery exhibitions (in-person and virtual), digital ‘Art Bytes’, educational programs, and artist receptions. The role works with a Box Office & Digital Services Coordinator to support art sales and the digital aspects of the program.

As with all positions at the Centre, the Gallery Assistant will be required to be flexible and punctual. This position will require the Gallery Assistant to manage multiple projects simultaneously and consistently meet deadlines, and work as part of a team. The Gallery Assistant will be liaising with various members of the staff team on a variety of projects.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Organize artist(s) information for exhibitions as required, including: artwork details, pricing, artist(s) bio, statement and imagery plus any logistical details required for a successful install and exhibition;
• Support gallery educational and programing events in any capacity required;
• Create, order, and install exhibition vinyl, labels, didactics, and signage;
• Organize and curating exhibition programming for community gallery space within Aurora Town Square, (2024 onwards)
• Other duties as required to support gallery program.
• Assist in content creation / photo documentation for social media per exhibition;
• Assist with gallery programs and art exhibitions in any capacity required;
• Support creation of catalogs and marketing collateral where required;
• Organize the Mayor’s Celebration of Youth Arts exhibit; working with the schools and other stakeholders to ensure the exhibit is a success;
• Install, light, and de-install each exhibition;
• Support production of virtual gallery and Art Bytes as required;
• Research artists and art practices as requested;

Location: The Aurora Cultural Centre is committed to adhere to public health safety guidelines for our employees and families, and all team members continue to work remotely. For 2023, this position requires the Gallery Assistant to work from home and also in-person in venues for gallery installations/activations and public visits. Upon return to our venue in Aurora Town Square, this position is required onsite.

The staff of the centre work in a team atmosphere and as such all employees of the centre may be expected to step beyond what is regularly thought of as their own duties to assist members of the team as required.

Salary: $35,000 - $38,000 plus benefits. Upon successful completion of a 3-month probation period, the successful candidate will also participate in a full suite of employee benefits including: group medical and dental benefits, an Employee Assistance Program, an employer RRSP contribution, paid personal days, paid vacation days, paid time off for 14 recognized holidays, and professional development opportunities.

Requirements

Education & Experience

• Minimum 2 - 3 years Community College Degree/Diploma in Visual Arts
• Minimum 1-3 years experience in a previous related role; experience in non-traditional/informal gallery settings welcome. If you can connect your experience to the role, we welcome your application.
• Experience with different artistic genres, themes, ethnic representation, and visual arts disciplines an asset.

Skills

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to work in a virtual setting individually and as part of a team
• Ability to maintain project schedule and fulfill demanding deadlines
• Troubleshooting skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Presentation skills/public speaking
• Gallery operation related skills (installation, documentation, etc.)
• Coaching (for mentorship of students)
• Sensitivity and diplomacy
• Enthusiasm, creativity and strong organizational skills
• Photography, social media, and writing skills an asset

We recognize that candidates may not meet all the criteria listed in this posting. We encourage all those interested in this posting with a combination of relevant technical experience and an interest in the arts to apply.

How will you create impact?

• By sharing your knowledge of current trends to help influence the outcomes
• By bringing fresh, dynamic ideas to the table
• By contributing to the team with a strong and thoughtful work ethic

How will you fit into the team?

• A resilient and flexible personality as plans can change from day-to-day
• You are a consummate professional and can represent the Aurora Cultural Centre not just creatively but also in experience, insight, and attitude.
• Being outgoing and adaptable

Additional Information

A criminal record search will be required of the successful candidate, at their own expense, that is acceptable to the Aurora Cultural Centre.

How to Apply

Please email a resume and covering letter to Samantha Jones, Gallery Manager [email protected] with “Application for Gallery Assistant” in the Subject Line.

We are committed to providing a workplace that is inclusive and accessible to all. Should you require accommodation during the staffing process, please do not hesitate to contact us at 905-713-1818 or [email protected]

We thank all applicants for their interest in joining our team, and all responses will be held in strictest confidence. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Applications deadline: Sunday, July 16, 2023