Community Engagement Assistant

The Blackwood Gallery is a contemporary art gallery situated on the University of Toronto Mississauga campus and dedicated to open public research. The Blackwood Gallery presents curated exhibitions featuring the work of local, national, and international professional artists in on-campus gallery spaces, as well as offsite projects throughout Mississauga and the GTA.

The Blackwood Gallery is currently seeking a Community Engagement Assistant. Working closely with the Assistant Curator and Curatorial Assistant / Collections Archivist, the Community Engagement Assistant will support the development and implementation of community-based programming, publications, and events, assist with outreach both on and off-campus and work with diverse publics.

Throughout 2019-2020, the Community Engagement Assistant will assist with the preparation and execution of gallery events and activities, working with artists, researchers, scholars, and other arts professionals associated with the gallery’s programming. They will also conduct in-depth research in preparation of future programming, supporting community engagement initiatives with publics on- and off-campus for an exhibition program exploring natural history, the animacy of the non-human, settler-colonialism, futurity, and imaginative capacity.

The Community Engagement Assistant will become acquainted with the complex challenges and opportunities present when working with a range of artists, writers, curators, researchers, and other academic and arts professionals. They will learn professional standards of working in an office setting while contributing to a positive, constructive, and considerate workplace.

Responsibilities:

• Support delivery of programs including performances, discursive events, book launches, panel discussions, workshops, field trips, and student engagement events

• Support event logistics, scheduling, and coordination

• Develop and contribute to existing outreach strategies, including nurturing deeper connections within the University and to community organizations engaging with social, political, and environmental issues in the GTHA

• Compile interdisciplinary research documents that support publishing and programming outcomes, assessing community resources and potential partnerships

• Research and implement programs for non-specialized art audiences, including children, seniors, and community groups in the region

• Develop planning materials for future outreach programs

• Work with Blackwood staff to assess the success of community engagement, partnerships, and outreach

• Other office, publishing, research, and administrative assistance, as required

Qualifications:

• Current or recent enrolment in an accredited post-secondary institution studying arts administration, art history, visual arts, curatorial studies, or a related field

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, social media and other digital platforms. Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite an asset

• Knowledge of and interest in contemporary art and community-based programming

• Knowledge of and interest in event coordination and outreach an asset

• Strong written and oral communication skills

• Demonstrated ability to work within a team as well as independently

• Experience working with various publics that represent diverse backgrounds and have different needs and experiences

• Strong attention to detail; ability to organize and manage information

• Excellent ability to problem-solve

• Previous experience within a gallery, museum, or festival context is an asset

Eligibility

• All applicants must qualify for Young Canada Works funding: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/young-canada-works/students-graduates/careers-heritage-graduates.html

• As part of the University of Toronto Mississauga, the Blackwood Gallery is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from visible minority group members, women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, members of sexual minority groups, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

For more information about the Blackwood Gallery please visit http://blackwoodgallery.ca/

We thank all candidates for their application; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Please submit cover letter and resume electronically (mail and fax submissions will not be considered) to:

Michael DiRisio

Curatorial Assistant and Collections Archivist

Blackwood Gallery

3359 Mississauga Rd, Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6

(905) 828-3789

michael.dirisio@utoronto.ca