Curator

Job Description

Job Description

Looking for an opportunity to be a lead curator at a professional art gallery? You’ve come to the right place.

The Vernon Public Art Gallery (VPAG) is hiring a new lead Curator, starting September 2024. This exciting role provides the opportunity to work at the oldest and largest art gallery in the North Okanagan.

The Gallery is looking for leaders in the field to usher the VPAG into a new era. As they transition to a new facility at the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre, your leadership will be key for curating their presence in the new space.

The Curator reports directly to the Executive Director while working as a key member of the management team and collaboratively with all members of the VPAG team.

The Curator oversees members of the Curatorial team.

The primary responsibility of this position is to provide a standard of excellence in VPAG exhibitions, publications, programming, and collections activities.

Exhibitions & Programming

• Curates’ gallery exhibitions, establishes the schedule, and develops planning of long-term exhibition programming. The exhibition and programming reflect the mandate, vision, values, and strategic plan of the VPAG.
• Plans, prepares, and arranges for delivery of effective and innovative interpretive programs.
• Organizes exhibitions by researching, determining themes, and designing the presentation of installation.
• Provides direction to the Preparator for the exhibition installation. Supervises staff and volunteers involved with exhibition preparation.
• Prepares curatorial statements for exhibitions, based on research and conceptual and contextual significance of the artwork considered for exhibition.
• Develops catalogues, publications, and exhibition information.
• Responsible for all gallery exhibition spaces, production of publications, signage, etc.
• Responsible for exhibition contracts, loan agreements, insurance coverage and their approval by the Executive Director.
• Maintains accurate and relevant records of exhibitions and artists.
• Arranges, in conjunction with the preparator, shipping and receiving of exhibitions.
• In conjunction with the gallery staff, communicates to staff, media, and a diverse range of the public about art, the gallery, and the gallery's programs.
• Actively networks with other cultural organizations and agencies locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.
• Maintains a broad and current professional knowledge of activity in contemporary art and related disciplines.

Administrative

• In conjunction with the Executive Director, undertakes funding applications for research, production and publication, and sponsorship initiatives when appropriate and applicable.
• In conjunction with the Executive Director, assists with applications to Government programs, Foundations, individuals, and businesses that will fund and expand the gallery’s exhibition potential and educational programming.
• Provides, establishes, and implements curatorial budgets within the resources available. Operates within budget allotted.
• Monitors budget for publications, all exhibition related expenses, and gallery installations.
• Reports to the Board information regarding exhibition schedules, programming, and other curatorial duties.
• Manages curatorial staff, specifically the Preparator, Learning & Engagement Curator, and other staff as assigned by Executive Director.

Collections

• Initiates and supervises collections development together with the Board of Directors.
• Conducts or supervises acquisitions program in conjunction with Collections Committee.
• Provides storage of artwork and ensures that acceptable environmental conditions are maintained.
• Together with the Executive Director, undertakes and supervises all necessary arrangements and procedures for Charitable Tax and Cultural Properties Certification donations (provenance, practitioner and object history research, and fair market value), and ensures that legal and ethical standards are maintained in accordance with standard museum practice.
• When possible, organizes a touring exhibition and / or oversees the loans of items from the permanent collection to other cultural organizations.
• Oversees maintenance of the permanent collection database.

Other Duties

• Maintains working knowledge of current critical theories and their application to interpretation of meaning in artwork.
• Maintains working knowledge and awareness of ethnic, historic, and artistic practices of First Nations in Canada.
• Maintains familiarity with government cultural policies as it affects gallery funding.
• Maintains knowledge of exhibition and cultural issues on a national and international basis.
• Addresses requests for information from the public and professionals in the cultural sector.
• Upholds a professional practice and provides a professional presence for the gallery.
• Acts as an advocate for the gallery, community, and the cultural sector.
• Consults with and provides information to the appropriate gallery personnel regarding publicity for exhibitions and other gallery events and programs.

Skills & Experience

Master’s degree in visual arts, Art History or Critical Cultural Studies

10 years of experience in a curatorial role with significant knowledge of modern & contemporary art practices.

Writing and publication background.

Proven ability to lead teams in accomplishing the goals and vision of the gallery.

Ability to maximize budget to achieve excellence in curatorial outcomes.

Compensation

This is a full-time position, 35 hrs / week, with a pay range of $55,000 - $65,000.

Equity & Access

The Vernon Public Art Gallery respectfully acknowledges that we are located on the traditional and unceded territory of sqilxw / syilx (Okanagan) peoples.

We seek to work in collaboration with this community whenever possible. The VPAG believes visual culture should be accessible to all, and in our mandate as a public gallery, all admission is by donation.

The curator should have a background in the cultural sector and awareness of accessibility and equity concerns within the field.

The curator should seek to work with marginalized communities through programming and exhibitions whenever possible. Any specific programming will be created in collaboration with the Learning and Community Engagement Curator.

Open until filled

Contact : Dauna Kennedy

Dauna Kennedy

Vernon Public Art Gallery

3228 31st Ave Vernon, BC

Company Description

The Vernon Public Art Gallery.

Company Description

The Vernon Public Art Gallery.