Arts opportunity

Full-Time Contract, One Year (September 2025 to September 2026)

Overview:

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA) is seeking an experienced, passionate and self-motivated individual to be the onsite Gallery Coordinator for an upcoming 6,000 square foot gallery space being set up in downtown Calgary.  The opening of the gallery is being planned for September 2025.

The opportunity is a temporary contract position for one year with the possibility of extension that will utilize the ideal candidate’s experience in collections management, outreach, arts administration and management, logistics, and programming. 

The Alberta Foundation for the Arts is a public agency and provincial corporation with a mandate to support and contribute to the development of the arts in Alberta. It provides arts grants to individuals and organizations, manages a provincial art collection by Albertan artists, and conducts research and communicates about the value of the arts to Alberta. It is governed by a board of directors that reports to the Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women.

For more information about the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, please visit: affta.ab.ca.

Role and Responsibilities of the Position:

Reporting to the Director, Art Collections and Initiatives (located in Edmonton), the position will be responsible for managing and completing daily gallery operations including (but not limited to): overseeing the artworks in the gallery, collaborating with the AFA’s Marketing and Communications team to promote upcoming exhibits and events, providing tours, performing related research, supporting partnerships, developing and overseeing programs and supporting events as required.

The position will be working out of an office in the same building during non-gallery hours and will only be required to work in the gallery space while it is open to the public. While hours for the gallery are still being finalized, the gallery space will largely be open during weekdays with limited hours but will include the possibility of additional hours on an occasional weekend or for a special after-hours event. Ample time will be provided where possible to ensure availability for planning purposes.

The position is for 5 days a week (Monday to Friday), with work hours from 8:15 am to 4:30 pm for a total of 36.25 hours a week with a one-hour lunch break included. Total hours per workday are 7.25 hours.

The successful candidate will need to be comfortable with standing for long periods of time while working in the gallery space, lifting or moving objects of up to 20kgs, and possess the ability to work independently. They will also need to be flexible in working occasional weekends and outside normal operating hours in the case of supporting events. Some travel (approximately 5%) within Calgary and to Edmonton for training and research will be required, with the possibility of additional travel to communities outside of Calgary when required to perform outreach as needed. 

As part of the onboarding process, the successful candidate must be available to travel to Edmonton for training prior to the gallery opening in September. 

The primary responsibilities of this position encompass two (2) main categories (but is not limited to):

Collections Care:

• Responsible for proper care of the gallery and its artworks by exercising collections management best practices in ensuring artworks are protected and free from damage and completing daily/regular inspections to ensure works are safe from potential risks such as pests, leaks, and direct light.
• Performing required research to inform future additions to the AFA art collection.
• Overseeing the receival of artworks when needed and completing required documentation (ie. condition reporting).
• Working with and liaising with facility management staff when required to address onsite concerns.
• Performing regular care routines to monitor the gallery space, including checking on environmental controls (ex. Humidity levels) and security systems to ensuring protection of the artworks.

Programming/Visitor Experiences:

• Welcoming visitors, providing exceptional customer service, and providing information on current and future exhibits and upcoming events during gallery hours.
• Overseeing the day-to-day operations of the gallery, including opening and closing the space, and ensuring the gallery is kept clean.
• Coordinating programming and supporting planned events for the gallery space such as live performances, workshops and artist talks.
• Overseeing the gallery’s operations during operating hours and during special events to ensure gallery best practices are followed.
• Engaging with visitors and providing tours when needed.
• Collecting, compiling and reporting visitation statistics to inform future programming and operations.
• Managing and coordinating exhibitions including maintaining a schedule of visual art exhibitions and potentially assisting with installation and curation.

Qualifications:

• University degree in art history, fine arts, museum studies, or a related field.
• Strong project and time management skills with the ability to meet multiple deadlines.
• Experience with arts administration, community engagement, and budget management.
• Previous experience curating and advising on exhibitions.
• Experience in public speaking and comfortable speaking to groups of various sizes.
• Knowledge of museum best practices, including collections management and current curatorial trends.
• Excellent communication (both written and oral), customer service and creative problem-solving skills.
• Detail oriented and organized.
• Highly self-motivated and able to work independently.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office365.
• Valid Alberta Class 5 driver’s license. 

Assets:

• A Master’s degree in a related field including art history, fine arts and/or museum studies.
• Familiarity with Albertan visual art and contemporary topics in visual art trends.
• Fluency in another language.
• Experience with community building and maintaining stakeholder relationships.
• Experience with fine art preparation and handling.
• Current Standard (Intermediate) First Aid and CPR-C Certificate. 

Salary Range:

The salary compensation for this temporary contract position is up to $70,000 based on related experience (inclusive of all expenses).

How to apply:

Application Deadline: July 20, 2025

Applicants should send a resume and cover letter in one file that clearly outlines their qualifications and experience to kara.annett@gov.ab.ca by the application deadline with the subject line Gallery Coordinator (Calgary) Application.

We thank all applicants for their time and effort in applying, however only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

 The Dance Individual Project Funding | Alberta Foundation for the Arts  approaches on September 1, 2025 and Arts Development Consultant Jodie Vandekerkhove is providing a free webinar for those interested in applying.

AFA Individual Project grants can provide up to $18,000 to support the development of individual Alberta dance artists, students, instructors, choreographers, designers, arts administrators, or an ensemble of artists by providing funding:

• to pursue training, 
• to develop a specific artistic work
• to pursue research, or 
• to pursue marketing activities. 

Jodie will be providing tips and other useful information to apply for all project types, helping you develop your funding application and increase your chances of success.

Tuesday, August 12 at 7pm link below:

 Webinar link

Deadline to apply July 2.

Are you passionate about the arts?

Are you well connected within your regional or cultural community?

The AFA’s Community Connector program is looking for passionate well-connected Albertans to act as a bridge between the AFA and their regional or cultural community.

This year long contract gives the selected Community Connectors the opportunity to help improve their community’s access to the province’s primary arts funder. 

This program is an innovative new way to connect with artists and organizations, particularly in geographic regions and with cultural communities in which awareness of AFA resources may be limited, by working with trusted community leaders to support our outreach efforts.

What we are looking for

We are seeking individuals who:

• Have strong connections within their local arts community.
• Have strong connection within their cultural or regional community.
• Are passionate about promoting opportunities for artists.
• Are passionate about the arts.
• Have an active online presence and familiar with content creation.
• Can organize and host a community networking event.

Community Connectors will:

• Act as liaisons between the AFA and their local communities.
• Help raise awareness about AFA resources, encourage artists to connect with the AFA and organize a community engagement event.
• Serve as ambassadors of the arts, sharing the benefits of engagement with the AFA.

What you will need to provide

To apply for the role, please submit:

• A bio - tell us about yourself
• Tell us about your community
• A project proposal that includes:
  • A description of your ideal audience and the local arts networks you are connected to.
  • A detailed strategy for engaging your community to promote AFA programs.
• A Networking/engagement event concept/design:
  • This should outline your vision for a community event that introduces local artists to the AFA, with AFA staff and/or board members in attendance.
• A communications/marketing plan:
  • Include the communication channels you use, your following, and examples of the type of content you intend to create and share.
• An estimated budget for event-related costs (up to $5,000).
  • Include details on potential event rentals, invitations, promotional materials, etc.

Please submit these materials by July 2, 2025, to be considered. Materials should total 10 or less pages. 

Program details

Selected Community Connectors will receive:

• Compensation: $2,500 for the term
• Event and promotion costs: Up to $5,000 will be available for approved expenses related to organizing your networking event (such as venue rentals, invitations, and promotions).

Deliverables during the program

As part of the program, you will be responsible for:

• Attending training meetings with AFA staff to learn about the programs and resources you’ll be promoting.
• Organizing one community engagement event with a Q&A panel for local artists and connects them with the AFA.
• Posting a minimum of four promotional content pieces per month for use on your preferred communications channel (negotiable based on complexity) to raise awareness of AFA resources and promote your event.
• Meeting with AFA staff every two weeks to provide updates and report on your progress.
• Delivering additional marketing deliverables as outlined in your project proposal (e.g., meetings with artists, sharing contacts, etc.).

Program guidelines

• You will not be providing grant advice or presenting yourself as an AFA grant expert. Instead, your role is to encourage artists to explore the resources and connect with AFA staff.
• You will not act on behalf of the AFA but rather as a community liaison contracted to promote outreach activities.
• You are responsible for organizing local promotional efforts, which may include creating digital or physical posters for your event (with the AFA logo included), but you will not design or print materials that specifically represent the AFA.

Key dates

• July 2, 2025: Project proposals and applications due.
• July 16, 2024: Program begins.
• August 2025 – March 2026: Social media engagement, bi-weekly meetings with AFA staff, planning, and executing your networking event.
• Late March 2026: Final evaluation and report on outcomes.

How to apply

To apply, please submit your proposal and supporting documents by July 2, 2025 to afacontact@gov.ab.ca subject line “Community Connector”. If you have any questions about the application process or program details, please contact Mike Ameyaw, Communications and Marketing Strategist.

Have a blast this summer with art camps at the Central Lions Recreation Centre. All supplies are provided, and no dance experience is required. 

Poetry Party (Ages 8-12) - 9am-12pm - July 7-11 - course # 756369

Need a break from too much screen time? Join Poetry Party's writing camp where there’s loads of fun & games to choose from: The Poetry Candy Jar, One Word Group Poem, Oulipian’s Choice, 100 Billion Link Sonnet, and much more. Let the fun begin!

Royal Castle Ballet Camp (Ages 4-6) - 9am-12pm - July 21-25 - course # 756368

In this royal themed dance camp, participants will learn ballet dance moves and work on their coordination, balance and flexibility. Campers will also have fun and get creative during games and/or crafts. At the end of the week, dancers will perform their new dance moves in a mini performance. 

Beneath the Waves Ballet Camp (Ages 7-10)  - 9am-12pm - Aug. 5-8 - course # 756367

Have you ever wanted to be a mermaid? In this underwater themed dance camp, participants will learn ballet dance moves and work on their coordination, balance and flexibility. Campers will also have fun and get creative during sea themed games and/or crafts. At the end of the week, dancers will perform their new dance moves in a mini performance. 

Register at movelearnplay.edmonton.ca