Curator of Art, Nickle Galleries

DATE :

Arts opportunity Indigenous artsVisual arts & new media Calgary Jobs

DEADLINE: March 29, 2025 - 5:59 am

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta.

The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Districts 5 and 6.

Description

Libraries and Cultural Resources at the University of Calgary invites applications for Curator of Art, Nickle Galleries, at the rank of Assistant Curator. This is a 2-year Limited Term Academic appointment with the possibility of renewal. The Curator of Art will be engaged with the program of exhibitions, and equally with research, development and support of the Nickle's Collection of Art.

Libraries and Cultural Resources (LCR) is a leader in the development of innovative information resources and services, locally, nationally, and internationally. LCR is an interwoven environment, combining extensive collections and both physical and virtual spaces, together with resources and services of libraries, institutional and research archives, rare books and special collections, art galleries, and a university press. Driven by a user-centric philosophy, Libraries and Cultural Resources provides unique engagement opportunities for students, faculty, staff and the broader community. The Curator will join the professional team of Nickle Galleries in all aspects of activity, and in supporting the strategic direction of Libraries and Cultural Resources and discovery and research across disciplines at the University of Calgary.

Nickle Galleries is a creative hub at the heart of the University of Calgary campus, and strives to be a leader and active participant in the cultural life of Calgary and Western Canada while also engaging students and faculty with experiential and transformative learning and research opportunities. With a dramatic architectural space unlike any other in Western Canada, the Nickle is a champion of art and culture and Calgary's art community. Eight to ten temporary exhibitions are produced every year, including projects originated by Nickle curators, invited guest curators and travelling exhibitions. Exhibitions draw upon and reflect the Nickle's permanent collections.

The Nickle holds three permanent collections on which the program of exhibitions is based: modern and contemporary art, with a focus on Western Canada; numismatics, with strength in ancient coins and modern paper money; and textiles, with an emphasis on Asian carpets. Museum staff, following the highest professional museum standards, aim to foster critical thinking and discovery through their exhibitions, publications and outreach.

The Collection of Art, initiated on campus before the museum itself, is an extensive grouping of modern and contemporary art focusing on Western Canada while also including significant works from the Western regional and national creators. The Collection holds more than 6,000 works including prints, drawings, photographs, paintings, sculptures, fibre and ceramics and works in various electronic media. The Collection highlights the art of this region and strives to hold the work of its significant artists in depth and breadth by representing the span of their careers. The Curator of Art will be responsible for ongoing research and development of the Collection, in order to find innovative ways of engaging community with the holdings

Reporting to the Head Curator, Nickle Galleries, the Curator of Art will be responsible for contributing to the program of exhibitions, and for organizing and curating exhibitions from the collection of art as well original exhibitions created through research and the development of themes. In consultation with the Director and working collaboratively with other gallery staff in a consultative manner, the Curator of Art will develop exhibitions, publications, collections and public programs to achieve the strategic objectives of the Nickle as informed by the scope of the Collection of Art. The successful candidate will also assist with the coordination and development of the Collection of Art and acquisition processes. As part of the curatorial team, the Curator also shares responsibility for the professional practices, promotion and outreach of Nickle Galleries across all exhibitions and programs. This also includes actively contributing to teaching and learning throughout LCR and across campus.

As an academic staff position, appropriate participation and involvement in scholarship, teaching and service is expected.

Responsibilities:

  • Knowledgeable in curatorial and administrative planning and best practices, sharing responsibility to ensure consistency of the Nickle program and alignment with the strategies and mandates of the Nickle and of LCR and how they are realized through programs, exhibitions, visitor experience and engagement
  • Develop original ideas for exhibitions, programs and publications involving new methods for researching, experiencing, interpreting, presenting or understanding art and culture
  • Research potential exhibitions by initiating contacts with community partners and stakeholders, including artists, curators, collectors, dealers, and other institutions by keeping informed of and contributing to current literature in the field
  • Propose new in-house (collection) exhibitions and programs for the program of exhibitions
  • Prepares curatorial statements for exhibitions, based on research and conceptual and contextual significance of the artworks and themes, and develops didactic panels, catalogues, and all forms of exhibition information such as press releases.
  • Contributing to the coordination and development of the Collection of Art and acquisition processes
  • Cooperate and collaborate with other gallery staff in the initiation, planning, implementation, promotion and evaluation of exhibition-related programs and activities
  • Establish meaningful relationships with faculty across campus to facilitate and expand engagement opportunities within Nickle Galleries
  • Professional development through engaged participation in the activities and governance of professional, academic and relevant community societies and associations

Required Qualifications:

  • Master's Degree in relevant discipline (Visual Art, Art History, Curatorial and Critical Studies)
  • 5 or more years of experience in a related position within a public art gallery or museum 
  • Evidence of exhibitions curated, program development and academic support
  • Evidence of experience contributing to the development, care and research of a permanent collection 
  • Experience cataloguing collection objects
  • Excellent knowledge of art gallery and museum procedures, art handling, comfortable discussing issues affecting the arts today, knowledge of art and specifically the art of Western Canada, with a strategic priority towards Indigenous art and artists, comfort and experience working with artists, curators and community 
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
  • Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal)
  • Excellent project management skills
  • Experience operating within set budgets, and maximizing opportunities within budget parameters

Desired Qualifications:

  • Familiarity with post-secondary institutions, including but not limited to teaching
  • Experience conducting classroom instructions or teaching in formal and informal settings
  • Evidence of scholarly work and professional service
  • Demonstrated success of fundraising and donor stewardship
  • Familiarity with collections management software 
  • Demonstrated ability to build collaborative relationships and work effectively across departments within Libraries and Cultural Resources and across the University of Calgary

Application Procedure 

Interested individuals are encouraged to submit an application online via the Apply Now link. Please submit a letter of application addressing background and experience relevant to the position, a current curriculum vitae and the contact information for three professional references, in one PDF. 

Application Deadline: March 28, 2025

For further information, please contact: 
Christine Sowiak
Associate University Curator
Libraries and Cultural Resources University of Calgary 
2500 University Drive NW Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 
cfsowiak@ucalgary.ca

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. 

We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. 

Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Institutional Commitments (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. In this connection, at the time of your application, please answer the following question: Are you a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada? (Yes/No)

For a listing of all academic opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Academic Careers website. For more information about the Libraries and Cultural Resources, click here.

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

Salary Range: $66,561 - $85,137

Apply: careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/15709425-curator-of-art-nickle-galleries