Assistant Curator – Carleton University Art Gallery (CUAG)
Roster of Duties
Type of position: Casual
Start date: 8 December 2014; preceded by 1 week of training in November
Expected hours of work: Monday-Friday, 9 -5
Rate of pay: $30.91 per hour
Benefits: 4% vacation pay
To apply: Please send your CV and a cover letter to Sandra Dyck, Director of Carleton University
Art Gallery, by 6 October 2014. (sandra.dyck@carleton.ca)
The Assistant Curator is a key member of a small but dynamic team at Carleton University Art
Gallery. The Assistant Curator works with CUAG’s Director to carry out the exhibition program.
S/he coordinates most exhibitions at CUAG. S/he collaborates with various parties to realize
exhibitions, including artists, art collectors, public and commercial galleries, and guest curators.
S/he arranges fine art transportation services to ship exhibitions to/from CUAG, and insurance
coverage of same. S/he oversees the physical installation and unique requirements of all
exhibitions, working with the Director and Collections/Exhibition Assistant to achieve their
installation and takedown.
The Assistant Curator maintains CUAG's website, which includes researching and writing the
content, editing and fact-checking texts submitted by external partners, locating and preparing
suitable images, settling related copyright issues/fees, and updating the site.
The Assistant Curator writes interpretive texts (including introductory panels, didactic labels, and
promotional blurbs) that are presented in the gallery. The Assistant Curator also edits, factchecks and proofs texts submitted by external partners, including guest curators.
The Assistant Curator works with CUAG’s Education and Community Outreach Manager and
Director to carry out an innovative public program to enhance exhibitions, which may include talks
by artist and curators, symposia, lecture series or tours. S/he actively works to connect Art
History and other University units to CUAG by suggesting and coordinating ways in which gallery
events can reach students and effectively integrate CUAG into university life.
The Assistant Curator supervises the undergraduate and graduate practicum students. S/he
monitors their progress and oversees their projects.
The Assistant Curator assists the Director with collection registrarial duties, including
administering and caring for art works loaned to CUAG from private collectors and public
institutions and loaned by CUAG to public institutions, and preparing insurance reports for same.
S/he provides information about the collection to researchers, students and the public.
The Assistant Curator assists the Director in the work of processing gifts of art to the collection
including: cataloguing and arranging photography of art for appraisal; commissioning external
appraisals, and preparing applications to the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board.
The Assistant Curator works closely with the Director in seeking additional funding for CUAG by
gathering and providing exhibition-related and other information in support of applications to
foundations, and to government funding agencies such as the Canada Council for the Arts and
the Ontario Arts Council. The Assistant Curator is responsible for applying to government funding
agencies to secure grants for summer student employment.
The Assistant Curator assists the Director in promoting CUAG's program and marketing its public
profile in the media, the University community, and the public by initiating and maintaining
relationships with a broad cross-section of community groups. S/he contributes to maintaining
and developing CUAG’s image in the arts community by attending exhibition openings and
special events at other galleries. S/he hosts artists or other CUAG guests and leads tours of
CUAG for special groups.
The Assistant Curator assists with publicity, including writing media releases, preparing
advertisement and invitation copy, and contributing to CUAG’s social media presence. S/he must
adopt a consistently proactive approach to publicity work in order to assure coverage of CUAG in
the media.
Educational and Experience Requirements:
Master’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Curatorial Studies or a related field along with
one to two years of continuous management of a curatorial program in a university or public art
gallery or museum, or as an independent curator, with a demonstrated record of continuous
management of an exhibition program.