What’s New

The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie (AGGP) is pleased to announce three new staffing updates as it continues to evolve to best meet its mission in enriching the community through the creation, conservation and sharing of art.  Jamie-Lee Cormier, Katrina Shirley and Danielle Ribar will all take up their work in the next month.

The Gallery’s former Coordinator, Learning, Jamie-Lee Cormier, now transitions to the position of Coordinator, Programs & Exhibitions, providing important support to the Gallery’s flourishing exhibitions alongside it’s arts education area.  On average, the Gallery delivers 14 art exhibitions and 100 art camps and school tours annually.  Jamie-Lee received her BFA from Sir Wilfred Grenfell College, and was a gallery owner in Corner Brook, NL.  After moving to Grande Prairie she served as a teacher’s assistant, arts instructor, and attendant at the Grant Berg Gallery.

Katrina Shirley joins her as the Assistant, Programs & Exhibitions, which sees her supporting Jamie-Lee in the work.  Katrina received her BFA majoring in Visual Arts and attended two years at Emily Carr University of Art and Design. She is a practicing artist and has designed and instructed educational art workshops for all ages.

Danielle Ribar takes up the new position of Associate Curator, managing the Travelling Exhibition program for the Gallery (offered through the Peace Country on behalf of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts), and working to integrate travelling exhibitions with the Gallery’s ongoing exhibition calendar.   Last year, the program was delivered to 130,000 people in the Peace Region and Northeastern B.C.   Danielle graduated from Grande Prairie Regional College in the Visual Arts and Design Diploma Program, and subsequently moved on to serve the College as both a Fine Art program Liaison and Senior Education Ambassador. She is an independent curator, writer and practicing artist.

“All three of these women bring with them great intelligence, passion and useful skills for where the Gallery is headed,” says Executive Director Jeff Erbach.  “’We’re proud that we can find such talent in our community and that their dedication to enriching our community through art can be put on full display through our programs and exhibitions in the coming future.”

Image: (L-R) Jamie-Lee Cormier, Coordinator of Programs & Exhibitions. Danielle Ribar, Associate Curator. Katrina Shirley, Assistant in Programs & Exhibitions.

About the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie

One of the largest square footage art galleries in Alberta, the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie is a place of art preservation, inspiration and exploration. We offer free admission, tours, programs, and activities for all ages. The Art Gallery presents art exhibitions in Grande Prairie, and via the Travelling Exhibitions Program, throughout the Peace Region.  Visitors to all the Gallery’s programs and exhibitions tops 150,000 people annually.

Closing date for application: TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2018 at 6pm MST
Position start date: Flexible to suitable candidate
Work Schedule: Determined with suitable candidate – Must include availability on weekends and some weeknights
Hours: 18 hours per week
Wage: $15,000 – $20,000 annually, commensurate with experience
The position includes a generous health benefit plan

General Description

Reporting to the Coordinator, Programs & Exhibitions, the Assistant serves a primary role in the Gallery reception area and further assists the Coordinator in organizing around exhibitions, tours, art camps, community art events, art openings and other related events and special Gallery programs.

Specific Duties

Gallery Sitting

• Work from the front reception desk and greet all visitors and offer information on exhibitions and programs.
• Answer a wide range of general questions from visitors, in person, by phone and email.
• Maintain a fundamental level of knowledge about the Art Gallery’s exhibitions and programs.
• Provide brief informal tours to visitors as required.
• Receive and forward calls to staff.
• Receive payments for registration, operating cash and issuing receipts according to gallery policies.
• Maintain lobby / reception tidiness, keeping area organized and arrange and replenish public information and literature displays.
• Tidy and spot-clean front entrance and other public areas as required.
• Monitor exhibition areas by video surveillance.
• Perform opening and closing procedures as specified.

Exhibitions

• Under the Coordinator’s supervision, assist the Exhibitions and Collections team in the creation and installation of exhibition material; text panels, labels, etc.
• Work in support of the Exhibitions and Collections team in receiving exhibition shipments, exhibition installation and deinstallation as required.
• Attend and assist in art receptions, openings and special events as required.
• Do simple promotion of exhibitions and art openings; social media channels.
• Other duties as required.

Programs

• Assist in scheduling and facilitation of tours with school and community groups as required
• Assist in the development, preparation, registration and delivery of art camps and community art events on behalf of the Gallery as required.
• Assist in preparing and delivering arts activities for the Carlstrom Family Green Space.
• Assist in maintaining the Carlstrom Family Green Space in accordance with proper Gallery procedures.
• Assist with the preparation of materials for activities and the installation and disassembling of setups for programs as needed.
• Do simple promotions of programs; social media channels.
• Other duties as required.

Skills and Abilities

Required

•  Maintain knowledge of current practises in the proper handling of art work and demonstrated ability to design and implement the effective display of works of art.
• Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with respect to historical and contemporary artwork for public presentations, publications and other printed materials.
• Demonstrate the ability to work with minimal supervision in a team environment.
• Demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, artists, professionals within the museum communities and the public.
• Demonstrate the ability to multi-task, establish priorities, perform under pressure, maintain attention to detail and meet deadlines.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.

Assets

• Demonstrate the ability to adequately use Microsoft Office applications, Adobe Photoshop, website browsers and both Windows and MAC platforms.
• Experience using computerized desktop publishing and design software and the use of a variety of gallery / museum collection management software.

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s Degree, Certificate, or ongoing education, in Fine Arts, Art History, Curatorial or Museum Studies, or equivalent education and experience, from an accredited education program with a specialization in a Fine Arts related discipline.

Please send a cover letter and CV, and any inquiries, to:

Coordinator, Programs & Exhibitions
103, 9839 – 103 Avenue
Grande Prairie, AB
T8V 6M7
info@aggp.ca

Closing date for application: TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2018 at 6pm MST

We thank all who may apply, and only those who are short-listed will be contacted for an interview.

Download a printable version of this job posting.

General Description

One of the largest square footage art galleries in Alberta, the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie is a place of art preservation, inspiration and exploration. We offer free admission, tours, programs, and activities for all ages. The Art Gallery presents an average of twelve art exhibitions per year and welcomes over 20,000 visitors annually.

Reporting to the Executive Director, the Bookkeeper position handles the day-to-day bookkeeping requirements of the gallery and must have extensive knowledge of Quickbooks accounting software. The position is flexible to the schedule of a qualified applicant.

Closing date for application: Friday, May 18, 2018 at 5 pm

Position start date: As soon as possible
Work Schedule: Flexible to qualified applicant’s schedule
Hours: 15 per week
Wage: $14,000 – $18,500 pending qualification
Benefits and vacation: negotiated

Specific Duties:

The Bookkeeper is responsible for all entry, organization, and maintenance of the financial aspects of the gallery including, but not limited to:

• Accounts payable
• Accounts receivable
• GST Returns
• Applying payments
• Bank deposits
• Payroll
• Reconciliations
• Preparing monthly financial reports
• Preparing reports, files, etc for annual audit and financial statements
• Other related administrative duties as required

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent verbal communication, writing/editing, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team and to respond to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• A proven track record of establishing and meeting deadlines.
• Excellent computer skills in Quickbooks, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Demonstrate the ability to work with minimal supervision in a team environment.
• Demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, artists, professionals within the museum communities and the public.
• Demonstrate the ability to multi-task, establish priorities, perform under pressure, maintain attention to detail and meet deadlines.

Assets

• Maintain basic knowledge of financial statements, charity returns and protocols, not-for-profit return protocols, insurance policies, WCB returns, group healthcare plans and GST Returns.

Qualifications

• Must have experience using Quickbooks accounting software
• 2+ years of bookkeeping experience
• Familiarity with Windows and Microsoft Office programs including Excel
• Experience bookkeeping for a not-for-profit charity an asset
• Responsible and mature
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Applications

Please send a cover letter and CV, and any inquiries, to:

Attn: Executive Director
info@aggp.ca
103, 9839 – 103 Avenue
Grande Prairie, AB
T8V 6M7

Closing date for application:    5pm, Friday, May 18, 2018

We thank all who may apply, and only those who are short-listed will be contacted for an interview.

General Description

One of the largest square footage art galleries in Alberta, the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie is a place of art preservation, inspiration and exploration. We offer free admission, tours, programs, and activities for all ages. The Art Gallery presents an average of twelve art exhibitions per year and welcomes over 25,000 visitors annually. The program managed in this position, the Alberta Foundation for the Arts’ ‘Traveling Exhibition Program’, sees participation from approximately 23 venues and 150,000 people annually.

Closing date for application: Friday, March 23, 2018 at 5pm MST

Position start date: Flexible to suitable candidate
Work Schedule: Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm (some weeknights and weekends required)
Hours: 35 hours per week
Wage: $40,000 – $48,000 commensurate with experience
The position includes a generous health benefit plan

Reporting to the Curator, Exhibitions and Collections, the Associate Curator has responsibility for the Gallery’s delivery of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts’ ‘Travelling Exhibition Program’ (TREX) for region 1 (Peace Region and Northeastern BC). They will also support the research and curation of exhibitions as part of the Gallery’s annual calendar. They are responsible for supporting the priorities and attitudes that exemplify the values, professionalism, mission and vision of the Gallery.

Exhibition Curation and Circulation:

• Circulate a minimum of six exhibitions for the TREX program per year.
•  Curate, prepare and circulate a minimum of three new exhibitions per year; one of these exhibitions must be solely comprised of artwork from the Alberta Foundation for the Art’s (AFA) collection. All artworks included in all TREX exhibitions must be by Albertan artists.
• Work with the Gallery team to manage the scheduling and safe shipping of all TREX material to venues.
• Ensure proper insurance for all artworks included in TREX exhibitions.
• Ensure incremental payment of artist fees are paid, aiming towards the CARFAC fee schedule levels.
• Work alongside the Gallery team to provide technical and qualitative advice to all Venues as required.
• Ensure an “Exhibition Fee” is charged to all Venues participating in the TREX Program.
• Manage all contracts, agreements and third parties required to deliver the TREX program.
• Research, develop and curate several exhibitions for the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie annually.
• Support the Curator and Exhibitions and Collections team as required.

Education

• Oversee with Gallery staff one or more of the following to accompany all new TREX exhibitions: educational packages, lesson plans, pamphlets and catalogues, curatorial/artist statements and didactic panels and labels.
• Where budget allows, organize visiting artists program in conjunction with selected exhibitions; artists would be contracted to conduct workshops and lectures pertinent to the exhibition and audience.

Marketing

• Promote the TREX Program in the Region(s) selected by planning and enacting a five-year promotional program in print and/or electronic media, radio and/or television.
• Maintain up-to-date and relevant electronic and print interpretive/educational materials and a website for the TREX Program.
• Locate and encourage new Venues to participate in the TREX Program, especially those outside of Edmonton and Calgary.

Reporting

• Provide progress and information reports on the TREX Program activities in the Region to the AFA as required.
• Participate in an annual teleconference Travelling Exhibition Program Management mid-year committee meeting.
• Participate in the annual in-person Travelling Exhibition Program Management committee meeting on or before April 1 of each year.
• Participate, as required, in Gallery ‘Curatorial Meetings’.

Budget

• Manage a yearly budget allotment and ensure all artist fees, visiting artists and invoices are paid.

Qualifications

A Degree in Fine Arts, Art History, Curatorial or Museum Studies, or equivalent education and experience, from an accredited education program with a specialization in a Fine Arts related discipline.

Five years of recent progressively responsible experience in an art gallery or art museum, with demonstrated success in originating art exhibits, including all facets of research, production, publication, and budget development and control. Knowledge of art packing, crating, framing and other preparatory skills is considered an asset.

Knowledge of funding agencies / organizations and experience in writing grant applications.

Please send a cover letter and CV, and any inquiries, to:

Executive Director
103, 9839 – 103 Avenue
Grande Prairie, AB
T8V 6M7
info@aggp.ca

Closing date for application: Friday, March 23, 2018 at 5pm MST

We thank all who may apply, and only those who are short-listed will be contacted for an interview.

Download Printable PDF of posting.

The Recent Acquisitions exhibition is a collection of work donated to the Permanent Collection within the past two years. However, there is one painting donated to the collection and created by Canadian artist William Perehudoff (1919-2013) that you will not see here. Consummation (1985) is a larger than life celebration of Post-Painterly Abstraction and it’s the subject of a new curatorial project.

Before being donated to the Gallery nearly two years ago, it belonged in the private collection of art critic Karen Wilkin and has not been seen by the public for several decades. The painting is not included in the exhibition, due to the fact that the painting shows signs of age and was removed from its canvas stretcher for shipment, resulting in the work needing to be restored before it can be shown again.

For a curator, the pleasure of working with a collection is in being asked to interpret, investigate and preserve the history of works of art. It was during this process of discovery that Curator of Exhibitions and Collections, Derrick Chang, began to ask himself, “How do we recover the voice of this painting so that it can be exhibited to the public again?”

The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie is committed to the complete restoration of William Perehudoff’s Consummation (1985). Over the course of the next year, and as part of a new artistic and curatorial project, Derrick will be working in collaboration with artist Benny Nemerofsky Ramsay as they explore how lost histories can be brought to life. The unexamined life of an artwork holds many discoveries. We hope that you will join us on this journey.

This project is made possible with the support of the British Columbia Arts Council.

William Perehudoff

William Perehudoff (1918-2013) is a Canadian painter most recognized for his contributions to colour field painting in Canada. He is noted for his participation in the Emma Lake Artist Workshops in Saskatchewan at various times between 1957-1990. In 1999 he was made a member of the Order of Canada for his contributions to Canadian painting.

Perehudoff’s work has been represented in numerous public and private collections, including the National Gallery of Canada, the Mendel Art Gallery, the Canada Council Art Bank, the Glenbow Museum, the Art Gallery of Ontario, and the Montreal Museum of Fine Art.

Benny Nemerofsky Ramsay

Benny Nemerofsky Ramsay is a Montreal-born artist and diarist based in Edinburgh. His artistic work mediates emotional encounters with musical, art historical and Queer cultural material, encouraging deep listening and empathic viewing. In his work you will find bells, bouquets, ceramic vases, enchanted forests, folding screens, gay elders, glitter, gold leaf, love letters, imaginary paintings, madrigals, megaphones, mirrors, naked men, sex-changing flowers, sign language, subtitles, and the voices of birds, boy sopranos, contraltos, countertenors, and sirens.

Nemerofsky’s work has been exhibited internationally, and is part of the permanent collections of the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna, the Polin Museum for the History of Polish Jews in Warsaw, Thielska Galleriet Stockholm and the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa.