What’s New

Permanent Full-time Position

Now accepting applications for Curatorial Assistant in the Learning department.

Closing date for application:  Friday, May 20, 2022 at 5 pm MST

General Description

One of the largest square footage art galleries in Alberta, the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie is a place which enriches our community through the creation, conservation and sharing of art. 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.  It holds a collection of mid-century artwork of roughly 850 pieces, mostly from the Peace Region in Northern Alberta.

About the Position

Reporting to the Curator, Learning, the Curatorial Assistant, Learning (Assistant) has responsibility for logistics, scheduling, preparation, delivery and maintenance of arts education and public program spaces and activities. They provide valuable support in the development of learning projects and exhibitions led by this work area.  They are responsible for supporting the priorities and attitudes that exemplify the values, professionalism, mission and vision of the Gallery.

The Assistant will build and sustain a positive profile for the Gallery’s learning initiatives through strategic liaisons, internal and external communications and social media. As needed, they will establish relationships with some education-based community stakeholders, identifying and leveraging opportunities to enhance the program’s visibility within the provincial and national arts community. They will join a team which thrives on respect, integrity, excellence and being responsive to our community and each other.

Closing date for application:  Friday, May 20th, 2022 at 5PM MST

Position start date:  June 20, 2022 (negotiable)

Work Schedule:  Monday to Friday, 10am to 6pm (some weeknights and weekends required)

Hours:  35 hours per week

Compensation:

• $40,000 – $48,000 annual salary commensurate with education / experience
• The position includes a generous health benefit plan covered by the Gallery
• Paid days off on stat holidays and additional days determined by the Gallery
• Generous annual sick leave
• Professional Development opportunities

The position may have opportunities to curate or co-curate learning experiences and exhibitions. Some duties at the Gallery’s front desk are required in order to monitor the safety and security of exhibitions. Training will be provided.

Specific Duties

Art Instructor / Art Program Facilitator

• Research, coordinate, develop and facilitate audience-specific art programs related to Gallery exhibitions (including tours) in addition to age-specific art lessons / programs.
• Lead the registration and communication to participants enrolled in Learning activities.
• Purchase and preparation of art supplies for tours and art classes.
• Maintain inventory of art materials as well as the orderliness and cleanliness of the classroom space.

Promotion

• Promote learning experiences to the general public through the Gallery website, social media channels, print and any other opportunities.
• Design materials for the purposes of work area promotions; posters, web banners, pamphlets.
• Research, coordinate, prepare and represent the Gallery at conferences, trade fair booths and community events when needed.

Curatorial Projects

• Assist in the research, development, installation and maintenance of curatorial projects and exhibitions as directed by the Curator, Learning.
• Lead the shipping of work from the artists or other institutions on projects and exhibitions in the Learning area.

The Green Space / Carlstrom Family Art Space & Creativity Kits

• Assist, and lead when required, in the development, design, installation and dismantling of Green Space activities.
• Oversee pre-cutting assignments for ongoing activities, including Creativity Kits, which may include volunteers.
• Ensure regular inventory of art supplies and organize supplies in dedicated storage areas.
• Maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the Green Space.
• Organize and archive all Green Space related documents and materials.

Community Art Events

• Assist, and lead when required, with preparations of community art events and facilitate programming for visitors.
• Occasionally assist with the preparation, planning and hosting of art opening receptions.

Administration / Organization

• Assist with researching and administering education-related tasks, such as grants, program statistics, report writing, research for exhibitions, filing and archiving.
• Work collaboratively with other staff to implement Gallery priorities.
• Lead the coordination of travel, accommodation and other arrangements for visiting artists, curators and educators related to projects and exhibitions in the Learning area.
• Assist with the handling of contracts with vendors, artists, curators and other service providers and cultural workers as they relate to the Learning area.
• Assist, when necessary, with budgeting for the Learning area.
• Occasionally work shifts at the front reception desk and greet all visitors and offer information on exhibitions and programs.
• Other duties as assigned by the Curator, Learning or the Executive Director.

Skills and Abilities

Required

• Demonstrated passion for the Arts and for life-long learning.
• The ability to work well independently on several projects concurrently and excellent verbal communication, writing / editing, organizational, creative thinking, problem solving and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated skills in interpretation of material, syllabus design and public communication.
• Facilitation of educational programs requiring the ability to prepare and conduct Gallery tours, workshops and other education activities, for satisfactory delivery of a program.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team and to respond to changing priorities.
• A proven track record of establishing and meeting deadlines.
• Flexible, discreet and able to maintain confidential information, knowledge of correct protocol for specific situations.
• Criminal Record Check.
• Standard First Aid Certificate.
• Possess a valid Class 5 driver’s license.

Assets

• Knowledge of social media marketing and an understanding of Web-based writing and communications.
• Administrative skills; templates, data entry, organizing, filing, archiving.
• Working with the public and delivering a positive experience for visitors.
• Familiarity with digital technology; cameras, basic editing software.
• Demonstrated high energy level and flexibility, strong initiative coupled with sound judgment.

Qualifications

• A Diploma or Degree in Fine Arts with specialization in Studio Arts, Education, Art History, Curatorial or Museum Studies, or other related discipline, along with at least two years of related experience in an educational position, OR equivalent education and experience.
• Computer literacy, photography and design skills; Apple/MAC environment, Adobe Illustrator/In Design, Microsoft Office.
• Successful candidate is a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, or a person who is legally entitled to work in Canada.

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

Attn: Curator, Learning
103, 9839 – 103 Avenue
Grande Prairie, AB
T8V 6M7

EMAIL: info@aggp.ca

Closing date for application: Friday, May 20th, 2022 at 5:00 pm MST

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

View a printer friendly PDF version

Temporary Summer Positions Now Accepting Applications

Closing date for application:  Friday, May 20, 2022 

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.

About the Position

Reporting to the Curator, Learning, the Education Assistant has the responsibility of assisting with research, develop and delivery of Art Programs and the Carlstrom Family Green Space programming based on current exhibitions. The Education Assistant will also assist with developing learning outcomes and interactive learning activities in consultation with the Learning Department for interpretive programs and community arts events. The Education Assistant will be responsible for supporting the priorities and attitudes that exemplify the values, professionalism, mission and vision of the Gallery.

The Education Assistant will be helping the Learning department in implementing high-quality art lessons for the AGGP’s summer art camps, based on themes of current art exhibitions for students 6 – 12 years old. Art lessons must be both creative and skill based and include art fundamentals. As needed, they will assist in development, installation and dismantling of the Carlstrom Family Green Space activities as well as assist with preparation of materials for activities, including Creativity Kits, and the installation and disassembling from education programs and art exhibitions. Also, when needed, help with preparations and hosting of community art events. They will join a team which thrives on respect, integrity, excellence and being responsive to our community and each other.

Closing date for application:  Friday, May 20th at 5PM MST

Position start date:  June 13, 2022 (negotiable)
Position end date:  August 5, 2022 (negotiable)
Work Schedule:  Monday to Friday
Hours: 30 hours per week
Wage: $17 per hour

Based on Canada Summer Job funding requirements, successful candidate:

•  is between 15 – 30 years of age (inclusive) at the start of employment, a Canadian Citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act* and is legally entitled to work according to the relevant provincial/territorial legislation and regulations. *International students are not eligible. Recent immigrants are eligible if they are Canadian Citizens or permanent residents.

Specific Duties

Summer Camp Instructor / Art Program Facilitator

• Assist in research, development and facilitation of audience-specific interpretive programs related to Gallery exhibitions (including tours) in addition to age-specific art camps / programs.
• Assist with developing learning outcomes and interactive learning activities for art programs and community arts events.
• Assist with the purchase and preparation of art supplies for educational programs.
• Ensure regular inventory of art materials as well as the orderliness and cleanliness of the classroom space.
• Assist with preparation of materials for activities (e.g. pre-cutting of materials) and the installation and disassembling from education programs.
• Assist with the registration and communication to participants enrolled in Learning activities.

The Green Space / Carlstrom Family Art Space / Creativity Kits

• Assist with the maintenance of the Carlstrom Family Green Space, design of interactive activities and Creativity Kits.
• Assist with maintaining regular inventory of art supplies and organize supplies in dedicated storage areas.
• Assist in installing artworks in conversation with Curator, Learning.
• Assist in the development, design, installation and dismantling of Green Space activities.
• Assist with assembly of Creativity Kits.

Community Art Events

• Assist with preparations of community art events and facilitate programming for visitors.

Program Bookings

• Assist in coordination of requests and manage tour bookings with clients.

Administration / Organization

• Work collaboratively with other staff to implement Gallery priorities.
• Occasionally work shifts at the front reception desk and greet all visitors and offer information on exhibitions and programs.
• Other duties as assigned by the Curator, Learning or the Executive Director.

Skills and Abilities

Required

• Demonstrated passion for the Arts and for life-long learning.
• Excellent verbal communication, organizational, creative thinking, problem solving and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated skills in interpretation of material, syllabus design and public communication.
• Facilitation of educational programs requiring the ability to prepare and conduct Gallery tours and other education activities (after appropriate training).
• The ability to work as part of a team and to respond to changing priorities.
• A proven track record of establishing and meeting deadlines.
• Flexible, discreet and able to maintain confidential information.
• Experience working with children.
• Criminal Record Check.
• First Aid Certificate.
• Possess a valid Class 5 driver’s license.

Assets

• Administrative skills; templates, data entry, organizing, filing, archiving.
• Working with the public and delivering a positive experience for visitors.
• Familiarity with digital technology; cameras.
• Demonstrated high energy level and flexibility, strong initiative coupled with sound judgment.

Qualifications

• Successful candidate with educational and practical experience in Visual Arts or Art History, Education, Curatorial or Museum Studies, or related discipline including Museum Education, would be best suited for this position.
• Computer literacy; Apple/MAC environment, Microsoft Office.

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

Attn: Curator, Learning
103, 9839 – 103 Avenue
Grande Prairie, AB
T8V 6M7

EMAIL: info@aggp.ca

Closing date for application: Friday, May 20th, 5PM MST

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

Temporary Summer Positions Now Accepting Applications

Closing date for application:  Wednesday, May 11, 2022 

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 Manager, Development and Administration

Position start date:  Flexible, anticipated start May 20, 2022
Position end date: August 28, 2022

Work Schedule:
Thursdays: 1pm – 9pm
Fridays: 10am – 5pm
Saturdays: 10am – 5pm
Sundays: 1 – 5pm

Hours:  23 hours/week
Wage: $17/hour

Specific Duties:

• 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.

Skills and Abilities

• Administrative skills; templates, data entry, organizing, filing, archiving
• Computer literacy; MAC environment, Adobe Illustrator/In Design, Microsoft Office
• Working with the public and delivering a positive experience for visitors

Assets

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

Applications

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

info@aggp.ca

Attn: Brittany Kelsey
103, 9839 – 103 Avenue
Grande Prairie, AB
T8V 6M7

Closing date for application:  Wednesday, May 11, 2022

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

View a PRINTER FRIENDLY PDF

We have launched our Summer Art Camps! Offered in a professional gallery setting, students will get interactive tours of our current exhibitions and explore a variety of exciting mediums including, drawing, painting, sculpture, mixed media and more.

This year camps will have a maximum of 12 students per camp. Due to camp popularity, we have made it more inclusive by allowing more children in our community to access the camps by limiting registration to one camp per child. 

Week-long camps for 6 – 12 year olds.
$105 Non-Members / $85 Members  click here to become a member! 

1:00 – 3:30pm 

Choose from: 

JULY 11 – 15 

JULY 18 – 22 

JULY 25 – 29

To register: call (780) 532-8111 or email info@aggp.ca

SPONSORED BY:

Request for Proposal: Digital Consultant for the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie

April 15, 2022
Issued by: Art Gallery of Grande Prairie (AGGP)
AGGP Representative: Brittany Kelsey, Interim Executive Director
brittany@aggp.ca
780-357-7481

Project Description

The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie is looking for a digital consultant to assist in auditing, recommending, and training in a digital direction for all aspects of the Gallery’s operations.

Goals from this consultation are:

• Digital software and training for virtual exhibitions and exhibition design
• Digital software and training for collections management and website configuration
• Recommendations on capital related to digital success, including necessary training
• Recommendations for educational programming related to digital software and training
• Identification of staff skills and development opportunities related to Gallery digital needs

This request for proposal’s (RFP) objective is to find a digital consultant with experience in the cultural sector, with an emphasis on art, to create a digital strategy that aligns with the Gallery’s mission to enrich the community through the creation, conservation and sharing of art. Expected completion of this strategy is May 30, 2022.

Background

The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie is one of the largest Free Admission galleries in Western Canada.  It is one of a number of programmed spaces within the Montrose Cultural Centre and shares communal spaces with the Grande Prairie Public Library and Teresa Sargent Hall. Strict adherence to climate and security controls has earned the Gallery a “Category A” designation by the Movable Cultural Properties Directorate of Canadian Heritage. This designation permits the Gallery to preserve and exhibit artworks to the highest of national standards.

Vision
The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie will be a centre of excellence, inspiration, creativity, and innovation for the Arts.  We will be a valued cultural partner and vital resource for the public, artists, curators, and writers.

Mission
Enriching the community through the creation, conservation and sharing of art.

Proposal Guidelines

Your proposal should follow the following format below:

• Executive Summary
• Background information about your business
• Relevant experience that would help you deliver our project goals
• Proposed services or deliverables
• Pricing. Note fixed price for the project with an itemized costing. Please include hours you expect the project to take.
• References
• Any terms and conditions for working with you

Submission Deadline
Please submit proposal in PDF format to brittany@aggp.ca by April 24, 2022.

Budget
The budget for this project is $5000

Selection Criteria
AGGP will evaluate the proposals based on the following criteria:

• Responsiveness to the required outlined in this Request for Proposal
• Relevant experience
• Quoted cost of the project

RFP and Timelines

AGGP’s timeline for RFP and project as follows:

Request for proposal issuance
April 15, 2022

Deadline for proposal submission
April 24, 2022

Selection of vendor
April 27, 2022

Project work begins
May 2, 2022

Project completion
May 31, 2022

Vendors may propose an alternate timeline with approval from AGGP to be in line with completion of total ‘Digital Shift’ with granting authorities.

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History of the Gallery Collapse

On Monday, March 19, 2007 at 10 am the historic 1929 Grande Prairie High School that was home to the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie (previously named Prairie Art Gallery) suffered a collapse of the southern wing of the building. No one was injured and no art works were significantly damaged. The building was built in 1929 and is the second oldest brick building still standing in Grande Prairie. The building was designated a historic site in 1984.

For the two weeks following the collapse, there were discussions about safely securing the site and retrieving the art collection. The Gallery sought advice from the Canadian Conservation Institute. Tara Fraser, a paper conservator arrived on March 22 to set up a recovery plan. Engineers, City staff, and crews from local companies worked to remove the snow and planned to remove the 3,000 kg heating and ventilation unit to prevent further collapse to the structure.

Artwork in the basement vault was removed on March 26 by Gallery staff and board members under the supervision of the Grande Prairie Fire Department. All materials in the classrooms directly below the collapsed roof and in the upstairs gallery had to wait for removal of the debris from the surrounding building and were not removed until April 3. On March 28, a controlled demolition was carried out to safely remove the east-side wall of the south wing. Whether or not the historic building would be restored was debated.

Many concerned individuals in the community advocated for the preservation of the historical integrity of the collapsed Art Gallery of Grande Prairie and to continue action of the plan to integrate it into the architectural design of the yet to built Montrose Cultural Centre. In an eight to one vote in June 2007, City council recommended the building be demolished, but needed to wait for provincial approval because the building had heritage status.

Construction moved forward on the Montrose Cultural Centre as the fate of the historic building was discussed with the province. In December 2008, the Minister of Cultural and Community Spirit, Lindsay Blackett, sent the City of Grande Prairie a letter supporting the repair of the provincially-designated historic site. On December 15, 2008, the initial decision to demolish was revoked when City council voted unanimously to begin restoration. In May 2009, the City of Grande Prairie got news of a $5.6 million grant for the Gallery’s repairs from the federal and provincial governments through the Build Canada Fund.

(Below: Interior images of the Gallery after the collapse and just before demolition/restoration began.)

The completed Montrose Cultural Centre opened its doors in June 2009 and is home to the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie, the Grande Prairie Public Library, the Teresa Sargent Hall, and Jeffery’s Café. The inclusion of the historic building would happen after the construction and restoration, but the Gallery opened to the public in the Montrose Cultural Centre in 2009 and continued with programs in one exhibition space, offering art classes, and developing travelling exhibitions through the TREX program.

Image by Teeple Architects

In August 2010, construction began on the historic 1929 building, which included a new interior steel structure and use of all original bricks. In September 2012, the fully restored building was completed and fully connected to the Montrose Cultural Centre, as it was always intended. The restored space includes the Gallery’s classroom, art exhibitions space, Permanent Collection storage, workshop and loading dock area. The project was designed by Teeple Architects Ltd. of Toronto who also designed the Montrose Cultural Centre.

Image: Teeple Architects

Grand Opening – September 2012

The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie’s official grand opening reception was held during Alberta Culture Days in September 2012 and included five art exhibitions. It was a very special night with nearly 500 guests who attended, including family, friends, artists, Gallery supporters and community leaders to celebrate the bright future of the Gallery.

Exhibitions During the Collapse

During the two years the Gallery was in a temporary location (April 2007 to May 2009), temporary exhibitions were held in several locations within Grande Prairie. This included the Kin Gallery in Centre 2000 and Northwestern Polytechnic (Grande Prairie Regional College.) Group exhibitions “ARTery” (2008, guest curated by Edward Bader) and “Here Now or Nowhere” (2009, guest curated by Micah Lexier) were located within several storefront windows in the downtown area.

Before the Gallery had full access to the restored building, we hosted several outdoor exhibitions. This included solo exhibition “tenuous” (2009) with artist Tina Martel where she created a paper casting of a full size pickup truck and was featured during the annual Street Performers Festival.

In Fall 2009, the Gallery utilized the unused space in front of the collapsed building to place a sculptural installation (pictured) by artists T&T for a group exhibition titled “The Boundary Layer” during the month of October. The outdoor sculpture, which included two full size cars, remained there for nearly 6 months.

In the Summer of 2010, the Gallery presented an outdoor performance installation “AutoPark’ by artist Laura St. Pierre. “AutoPark” was a portable garden of defunct vehicles that were converted into large-scale terrariums positioned on the Northside of the Montrose Cultural Centre.

Permanent Collection During the Collapse

The Gallery found temporary office space shortly after the collapse and remained there for two years. Over 300 works from the Permanent Collection, all rescued from the collapsed Gallery building on March 26, 2007, were on view in open storage at the Gallery’s temporary location. The portion of the Gallery’s collection that required hanging storage for its safe preservation was fully accessible to the community.

The collection had rarely been seen in recent years became the object of international concern when it was trapped inside the frozen, collapsed Gallery for a week in March 2007. The Permanent Collection, now around 750 works, is currently located in a secure vault within the Gallery and continues to be displayed regularly in exhibitions.

About the Montrose Name

Since 1910, the land has been known as “Montrose” and the name was given by settler and community builder, Agnes Forbes. It was named after her home in a region of Scotland and was the site of the historic Grande Prairie High School that was built in 1929. The site was also the location of other schools, including the Montrose Junior High School, which was torn down and removed in 1994.