Curator

Starts: October, 2024

Term: Full-time

Wage: $45,000 – $50,000 + benefits plan

Application Deadline: Friday, September 20, 2024  

Organization Description:
The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (www.vac.ca) is a non-collecting public gallery exhibiting local, regional, and national contemporary visual art and offering arts education in the Durham Region. Located in a 19th-century barley mill on the banks of Soper Creek in Bowmanville, the gallery offers both traditional white-walled exhibition space and a stunning unrestored loft installation space as well as studio classrooms. Its mission is to center collaboration to deliver dynamic and inspiring contemporary art exhibitions and educational programs within an environment that champions equity and inclusion.

Position Description:
Reporting to the Executive Director of the VAC, the Curator is responsible for setting the overall curatorial direction of the gallery and ancillary venues (the Municipal Administrative Centre, the Bowmanville branch of the Clarington Public Library, etc.). The Curator will plan and realize exhibitions from concept to installation and liaise with the Education staff to develop multi-level exhibition and education programs around the central curatorial themes.

The curator is responsible for:

• Researching potential exhibition proposals creating multi-year exhibition plans, and communicating these plans to staff, the Board of Directors, funders, and other stakeholders;

• Implementing exhibition plans from concept through to realization, including planning, working and corresponding with artists and any guest writers/guest curators, interpretation, and overseeing the installation and striking;

• Creating (with the Executive Director) exhibition budgets, monitoring and controlling related expenses, and producing regular reports;

• Writing catalogue essays and facilitating exhibition catalogue production (in conjunction with other gallery and contract staff);

• Speaking at gallery openings, curator talks, etc.;

• Developing partnerships with other galleries and institutions (programming, tours and exhibition partnerships) as well as deepening collegial relationships with industry partners (artists, curators, writers, etc.)

• Planning and supervising interpretive and public programming related to exhibitions and working with education staff and volunteers to deliver activity-based programming around the central curatorial ideas.

• Maintaining safety protocols for the gallery;

• Overseeing documentation and creation of promotional materials for the exhibitions and public programming, including catalogue essays, press releases, media talks, web content, etc.; 

• Contributing to developing funding requests (OAC, CAC grant applications, project proposals, etc.); and

• Overall: Working together with all VAC staff to contribute to implementing programs to engage existing new, and diverse audiences.
  
  

The Curator is expected to work a standard workweek but will also be expected to work some evenings, weekends, and overtime hours to accommodate activities such as Board and committee meetings and representing the organization at exhibition openings, fundraisers, and other public events. A majority of the work takes place at the VAC site. However, some off-site work will also be necessary for studio visits, board/committee meetings, and attendance at other gallery openings, for example.

Qualifications:

The ideal candidate for this position will have:

• Education: A university degree in a related field (Fine Art / Studio, Art History, Curatorial Studies, etc.). An advanced (Masters-level) degree would be an asset.  

• Experience: A minimum of two (2) years of professional curatorial experience, preferably in a public gallery/artist-run centre setting. 

• Knowledge: A sophisticated understanding of the theoretical, historical, and intellectual contexts of current issues within contemporary art and curatorial practices and a familiarity with local, provincial, and national visual arts communities.

• Interpretive / Communication Skills: Exceptional written and oral communication skills to communicate knowledge to specialized and general audiences.

• Interpersonal Skills:

  • Working cooperatively and effectively with multiple stakeholders (staff, board, artists, members, community groups, government, media, etc.) to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that are beneficial to the organization

  • Thriving in a small, team-oriented environment while still able to work independently as required

  • Respecting a diversity of perspectives

  • Managing one’s work well within the changing priorities of an evolving organization 

• Financial Skills:

  • Producing and analyzing project budgets that correspond to larger operating budgets and strategic plans

  • Monitoring and controlling exhibition and programming-related expenses 

• Project Management Skills:

  • Assessing organizational needs, resources, and risks

  • Setting priorities and deadlines

  • Monitoring progress toward goals

  • Evaluating processes and results

  • Managing time and multiple priorities

• Computer Skills – intermediate-level proficiency in the use of:

  • Standard Office/iOS software 

  • Communications/document-sharing software (such as Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive)  
    
    

Work Environment:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently works with a computer, and the noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. The employee frequently interacts with scheduled and unscheduled visitors, class participants, volunteers and deliveries. The employee often works alone. This employee is required to travel on occasion between the VAC and events as directed by the Executive Director, in addition to local travel for business purposes.

Physical Demands:
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to handle or feel objects or controls. The employee frequently is required to talk, hear, stand, walk, and sit. The employee must occasionally reach with hands and arms, stoop and kneel. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

Application Process:
Email a cover letter and your resume as one PDF file to director@vac.ca. In the subject line, please indicate VAC Curator Position. Accommodations are available on request for candidates participating in all aspects of the selection process. For more information about our accessible workplace, including disability accommodations for the application process and beyond, please contact director@vac.ca or call 905-623-5831 x 4.

How to Apply:
Applications must include:

• a cover letter (no longer than two pages) which addresses the listed qualifications for this position

• a current resume (no longer than three pages)

• a statement that explains your overall curatorial vision/approach to curatorial work (no longer than 500 words)

• attach three relevant writing samples (such as catalogue essays, exhibition reviews, etc.)to an email message that has “VAC Curator Position” in the subject line before the end of day 20 September 2024, to:

  Dionne Powlenzuk - Executive Director
  Visual Arts Centre of Clarington
  director@vac.ca

Contact:

Direct any questions about this process or position to: 
Executive Director
Visual Arts Centre of Clarington
director@vac.ca

The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington is an equal opportunity employer committed to employment equity and building strength through diversity. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified candidates and encourage people with disabilities, women, visible minorities, and Indigenous peoples to apply. Acknowledging that we are not a fully accessible building, we attempt to be as inclusive as possible in our hiring process.