Image Credit: Students in the University of Toronto Mississauga’s FAH310: Curating Matters course visiting Miruna Dragan’s exhibition, When Either But Not Both Are True (2018).

JOB OPPORTUNITIES — CURATORIAL ASSISTANT / COLLECTIONS ARCHIVIST (FULL-TIME, PERMANENT) AND CURATORIAL AND PUBLICATIONS RESEARCH ASSISTANT (YCW INTERNSHIP)

The Blackwood Gallery is a centre for contemporary art and research at the University of Toronto Mississauga. We respond to social, political and ecological urgencies through exhibition-led inquiries, discursive events, commissioned artistic works, performances, publishing platforms, and educational projects. We present curated exhibitions featuring the work of local, national, and international professional artists in multiple spaces on campus and our programming includes off-site projects and exhibitions. The Blackwood cultivates cultures of learning, provides mentorship, and facilitates professional development.

The Blackwood Gallery is currently hiring a Curatorial Assistant / Collections Archivist (full-time, permanent) and a Curatorial and Publications Research Assistant (full-time, 5-month contract).

CURATORIAL ASSISTANT / COLLECTIONS ARCHIVIST

Application Deadline: September 25, 2020
Term: Full-time, permanent

For full job posting and to apply online, visit:
https://jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Mississauga-ON/541135517/

Only online applications via the link above will be accepted. Please do not contact the gallery directly to apply.

Under general direction of the Director/Curator and general supervision of the Assistant Curator, the incumbent will assist with the preparation of publications, public programs, and academic outreach; oversee the gallery’s Permanent Collection; and coordinate the preparation and dissemination of materials for digital platforms, marketing, press, grants and reports.

The Blackwood is at a critical and exciting moment of growth and change and this position represents an opportunity to play an important role in the gallery’s expansion. Our leadership team provides an open, professional environment that fosters a constructive culture built on respect, goal orientation, self-motivation, accountability, and teamwork.

Responsibilities:

• Creating and editing documents including gallery publications, grant applications and final reports, documentation, press materials, academic outreach materials, and pertinent information on exhibitions and gallery programs
• Providing guided tours of facilities for class visits and publics
• Coordinating the schedule for program and event calendars and collaborating with Gallery staff in the development of public programs
• Directing the activities of casual staff
• Maintaining information on digital platforms and databases, including content creation and editing
• Maintaining the Permanent Collection in its various locations (in storage and on loan in on- and off-campus sites)

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree or acceptable combination of equivalent experience.
• Minimum two years previous art gallery experience and knowledge of contemporary art.
• Excellent knowledge of physical handling of works of art in a diversity of media.
• Effective at leading gallery tours and making presentations for diverse publics.
• Experience providing administrative support including coordinating logistics of events, scheduling meetings, maintaining information on digital platforms and databases, arranging meetings, and minute taking.
• Experience compiling and archiving documentation, press, publicity and pertinent information on exhibitions and gallery programs.
• Excellent communications (oral and written) skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills with the ability to multitask and meet strict deadlines.
• Effective problem solving and interpersonal skills, including demonstrated ability to exercise tact, diplomacy, empathy, sound judgment and discretion.
• Advanced computer skills (Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, Photoshop, In-Design, database programs, CMS/HTML).

Assets:

• Ability to navigate intellectually challenging materials (interdisciplinary research, educational texts, concepts).
• Experience researching and developing gallery events, public programs, and community outreach.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

For full job posting and to apply online, visit:
https://jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Mississauga-ON/541135517/

Application deadline: September 25, 2020, 11:59PM EDT

The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Only online applications via the link above will be accepted. Please do not contact the gallery directly to apply.

CURATORIAL AND PUBLICATIONS RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Application deadline: September 25, 2020
Term: Full-time, contract (October 19, 2020–March 26, 2021)
Supported by Young Canada Works, Building Careers in Cultural Heritage

Working closely with the Assistant Curator and Project Coordinator, the Curatorial and Publications Research Assistant will support the research, development, and execution of programming, publications, and discursive events, and assist with academic engagement across the University of Toronto Mississauga campus.

The Curatorial and Publications Research Assistant will provide support to the Blackwood Gallery through program, exhibition, and publishing research, gaining experience with the development of a range of programs and publications, while assisting with day-to-day execution of programs, including virtual projects. They will have the opportunity to work closely with gallery staff and arts professionals in contributing to this in-depth research, acquiring communication, collaboration, and project management skills in the process.

Responsibilities:

• Support programming research, locating and organizing resources.
• Compile interdisciplinary research documents that support publishing and programming outcomes.
• Support event communications, including website and digital publishing initiatives.
• Draft outreach documents and research course lists for public art and upcoming exhibitions.
• Assist in academic outreach with faculty teaching courses relevant to upcoming programs.
• Support the development of digital resources to accompany the new public art program and upcoming exhibitions.
• Other office, publishing, research, and administrative assistance, as required.

Qualifications:

• Graduate of an accredited post-secondary institution with a degree in arts administration, art history, visual arts, environmental studies, or a related field.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Adobe Creative Suite. Working knowledge of content management systems and HTML an asset.
• Strong knowledge of and interest in contemporary art in Canada, with familiarity of art practices and gallery operations. Knowledge of and interest in art writing and publishing in Canada a strong asset.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent research and time management skills and ability to synthesize and communicate information.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a team as well as independently.
• Previous experience within a gallery or art museum context is an asset. Previous research assistance experience is an asset.

Eligibility

• All applicants must qualify for Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage (YCW-BCH) funding. Candidates must be registered online through the YCW website.
• 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, Aboriginal 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 our website.

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

To be considered for the Curatorial and Publications Research Assistant Position, please submit cover letter and resume electronically (mail and fax submissions will not be considered) to:

Alison Cooley
Assistant Curator, Blackwood Gallery
alison.cooley@utoronto.ca

Blackwood Gallery
University of Toronto Mississauga
3359 Mississauga Rd.
Mississauga, ON L5L 1C6

www.blackwoodgallery.ca
blackwood.gallery@utoronto.ca
905.828.3789
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram