Application Deadline: Mar 10, 2023
Start Date: May 01, 2023
Salary From: 55K To 55K
Province: Ontario
Region: Metro Toronto Area
City: Toronto
Employee Benefits: Health, Other (e.g. flex time, comp tickets, etc.)
Check Additional Info section for more Employee Benefits
Organization’s Field/Discipline: The Arts
Job’s focus: Administrative
Job Type: Full-time
Career Level: Intermediate
Organization Description
Toronto Biennial of Art
The Toronto Biennial of Art’s mission is to make contemporary art accessible to everyone. For 10 weeks every two years, local, national, and international Biennial artists transform Toronto with free exhibitions, performances, and learning opportunities. Grounded in diverse local contexts, the Biennial’s city-wide programming inspires individuals, engages communities, and contributes to global conversations. The Biennial provides expanded understandings of contemporary art practices and is building a legacy of free, inclusive, and accessible contemporary arts programming in Toronto.
As conversations about Truth and Reconciliation as well as inclusion, equity, and accessibility continue to evolve, the Biennial is committed to developing new ways of seeing and listening. Read more about our ongoing commitment and vision ahead here.
For detailed information on the impact of our second Biennial, please read our latest Evaluation Report.
Job Description
The Toronto Biennial of Art (TBA) is seeking a full-time Curatorial Assistant. This position plays an important role on the Exhibitions team for the upcoming 2024 Biennial. The Curatorial Assistant will report to the Deputy Director & Director of Exhibitions, and work closely with the Exhibitions team, including the 2024 Exhibition Curators. The Curatorial Assistant will provide key research, administrative, and production support to the curatorial team and manage daily tasks as they arise.
- Supporting the exhibition curators in the following ways:
- Artist research for all biennial artists including the maintaining of individual artist files;
- Venue, neighbourhood, community and other research as needed;
- Creation of commission and loan contracts, while frequently communicating with artists throughout the contracting process.
- Supporting biennial artists directly in the following ways:
- Implementation of their commission projects including regular communication, budget and timeline management;
- Site, installation and opening week visits to Toronto including onboarding, welcome package, scheduling, navigating the city;
- Liaising with artist’s galleries and lenders as it pertains to production, exhibition display and contracting.
- Supporting the exhibitions team in the following ways:
- Management and regular updating of the artist production budget;
- Providing general administrative support to the exhibitions team as needed including, but not limited, to: organizing meetings, organizing travel, preparing documents, correspondence and day-to-day tasks;
- Assisting with initiatives related to increasing accessibility across our exhibitions and programs.
- Serving as a liaison between the exhibitions team and other TBA departments (including Development, Public Programs and Learning, and Marketing and Communications) by providing up-to-date artist materials and exhibition documents as needed.
- Assisting in the development, copyediting, design, and production of exhibition didactic materials, such as wall text, labels, audio guides, and other content.
- Supporting the publication process by:
- Creating and maintaining a centralized, up-to-date database system for assets related to the publication, including artist images, documents, and texts;
- Obtaining permissions and copyright clearance for images and maintaining accurate credit lines;
- Liaising with artists as needed for final approvals;
- Supporting the curatorial team on miscellaneous tasks related to the publication.
Requirements:
- Bachelor of Arts required, preferably with a concentration on visual arts, art history, curatorial or museum studies, arts administration; MA in these fields is an asset.
- Minimum of 2-years’ experience working in a museum, gallery, or visual arts organization.
- Experience working with national and international artists and curators in an exhibition setting.
- Solid track record as a creative problem solver and working in a fast-paced environment that is often deadline driven as the Biennial event approaches; willingness and availability to work flexible hours when required for special events including some evenings and weekends
- Ability to take direction, work collaboratively, and thrive in this environment, while managing and nurturing the many voices of the organization, as well as its audience
- Ability to work efficiently and communicate with staff and external partners from different backgrounds and with varying expertise
- Experience working as a proactive member of a cohesive team and independently
- Superior organizational, resource management, research, and communication skills, with attention to detail.
- Proven commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and practices of anti-racism and anti-oppression, to contribute to a healthy workplace environment.
Additional Info:
Compensation: $55,000 annual salary
Term: April/May 2023 – December 2024
Location: Our offices are located at 158 Sterling Road.
Other Benefits:
- Hybrid working arrangements
- Annual winter holiday office closure
- Professional development allotment
- Optional monthly arts and culture outings during work hours
- 10 sick days and 3 personal days annually
- 2 weeks vacation
How to Apply:
Toronto Biennial of Art is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusiveness in all of our work. We work proactively to be fair and equitable in practice and welcome applications from all qualified individuals. We encourage those who identify as women, persons with disabilities, Indigenous persons, persons of colour, individuals of non-conforming gender and sexual orientations, and all groups protected by the Ontario Human Rights Code to apply. Candidates are encouraged to self-identify. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005, accommodation will be provided at any point throughout the hiring process, provided the candidate makes their accommodation needs known to Toronto Biennial of Art.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume to [email protected] with the subject line “Curatorial Assistant Position” by no later than March 10, 2023. Please indicate where you saw this posting. Only selected applicants will be contacted for an interview.
