Job Opportunity: Curatorial Assistant

As The Polygon Gallery prepares for a series of significant exhibitions, outreach and digital programs over the next year, the organisation seeks one Curatorial Assistant to work with the Curator and Assistant Curator.

In particular, the Curatorial Assistant will be involved in all aspects of the coordination of the Response Program. Piloted in 2014, and redeveloped as an annual program starting in 2020-2021, Response includes a series of workshops led primarily by Indigenous artists and Knowledge Holders, culminating in a presentation of participants’ media works at The Polygon. The Curatorial Assistant will also assist with preparations for, and public programming around, The Polygon Gallery’s forthcoming co-commission with Burrard Arts Foundation, premiering a new work of public art on the Gallery’s exterior by Anishinaabekwe artist Rebecca Belmore in September 2022.

In addition, the Curatorial Assistant will work on family programmes in support of the Gallery’s Kids First initiative. This includes, but is not limited to, assisting material preparation for outdoor artmaking activities over summer 2022; contributing to program delivery on a weekly basis; and aiding in activity conceptualisation, organisation, and delivery on a monthly basis throughout Fall 2022.

Qualifications

The successful candidate will have completed a diploma or degree program from a university or college in history, art history, cultural studies, curatorial studies, museum studies, or a related discipline, with an interest in and/or familiarity with contemporary visual art.

The successful candidate will have a demonstrated commitment to ensuring programming addresses decolonizing, anti-racist, social and ecological justice issues.

She/he/they will have excellent research and communications skills, in addition to strong attention to detail and organizational skills. Experience in educational capacities or working with youth would be an asset. The candidate will have a positive attitude with an ability to work independently and collaboratively on multiple tasks.

Candidates must meet the following requirements: be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada; be legally entitled to work in Canada; be registered with Young Canada Works online; be between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment; and do not have another full-time job (over 30 hours a week) at the time of applying for this job. Preference will be given to candidates who self-identify as a member of an underrepresented community (Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour). This position is funded through the Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage. For a complete list of candidate eligibility criteria, click here.

The position will begin July 21, 2022 and end February 16, 2023.

Salary / Hours: $21.42 per hour, 28 hours per week, flexible hours including weekends

To apply, please visit the Young Canada Works (YCW) login page and click on the “Sign up” link (or “Sign In” if you already have an account). You will be required to enter contact information and details on your educational and work history. Once you have created your account, you can browse job opportunities via the “Search for a job” link in your YCW account. To express interest in this position, click on the Curatorial Assistant job title for The Polygon Gallery and then on “Express interest in this job”.

Applications will be accepted until Thursday, July 14, 2022 at 5:00pm PST. Questions can be directed to Elliott Ramsey at e.ramsey@thepolygon.ca.