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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’, curates and manages mobile exhibitions which sees participation from approximately 20-30 venues and 150,000 – 175,000 people annually.

Closing date for application:  Friday, June 26, 2020 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 – $52,000 commensurate with experience

*The position includes a generous health benefit plan covered entirely by the Gallery

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, Jeff Erbach
103, 9839 – 103 Avenue
Grande Prairie, AB
T8V 6M7

info@aggp.ca

Closing date for application: Friday, June 26, 5pm (MST)

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

DOWNLOAD A PDF VERSION OF THIS JOB POSTING

Having been closed since March 14, 2020, we opened our doors this past Tuesday, June 2nd.  This week has been a good opportunity for us to implement robust new health and safety procedures following provincial guidelines. We’re also currently accepting submissions to the new community art installation, The Curve.

The Curve opens June 9, and we invite you all to experience these thoughtful and extraordinary works from our community.  The installation will grow over time as new pieces keep coming to us and we encourage you to revisit often.

The second floor of the gallery, including the Carlstrom Family Green Space, will remain closed.  Following provincial guidelines on maximum occupancy for a small space like the Carlstrom Family Green Space, and the nature of it as a communal maker-space, this room will remain closed until restrictions are lifted. We will be opening the second level gallery spaces to an exciting new exhibition, 50 Years of Collecting, on July 2, 2020.

We’re open our regular hours and look forward to seeing you again.

During this challenging time, it’s important that the community rally around a spirit of collaboration and resource sharing. Committed to these values, the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie and nine10 proudly announce the renewal of nine10’s support for the Gallery as their ‘Creative Partner.’

In this role, nine10 provides graphic design services to the Gallery and supports a range of creative projects online, like the Gallery’s widely successful ‘Art at Home’ project.

Executive Director of the Gallery, Jeff Erbach, explains that the partnership is special to the region, “we feel this is a leading practice model in our community, where a public institution like ours partners with a private business on the basis of shared community values, creativity, innovation and that entrepreneurial spirit so famed in Grande Prairie. The services nine10 provide us are critical in our success for how we can position our artistic endeavours.”

According to Ryan Blais, nine10 Partner and Director of Business Development, “supporting community has always been a focus for nine10, however, the relationship with the Art Gallery has been a special and strategic partnership. It allows our agency to showcase our community support AND creative expertise at the same time. In order to do great work with our community partners, we need passionate involvement and focus. We have that in spades with Jeff and his team. The ‘Art at Home’ project is just one example of how we can help add polish and digital functionality to a very timely arts initiative.”

nine10 have served as the ‘Creative Partner’ for the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie since 2018. The Gallery provides nine10 a range of benefits, which includes access to work in their Collection for display, and in exchange receives financial and in kind contributions of nine10’s professional services.

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 tours, programs, exhibitions and learning activities for all ages as a free art museum.

The Gallery presents an average of 8-10 art exhibitions per year, including from our Permanent Collection, and welcomes over 20,000 visitors annually. The Travelling Exhibition Program (TREX), delivered on behalf of the Alberta Foundation for the Arts, travels to 20+ venues and further sees an annual attendance of up to 200,000 visitors. The Permanent Collection is comprised chiefly of regional works of contemporary art, numbering 850 pieces.

Closing date for application: Friday, April 3rd at 5:00pm

Position start date: negotiated

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

Hours: 40 hours per week (35 work hours)

Wage: $50,000 – $60,000 commensurate with experience

*The position includes a generous health benefit plan, with premiums fully paid by the Gallery*

The Curator, Exhibitions and Collections (Curator) will create advances in the dissemination of curatorial theory and further knowledge of Canadian Contemporary and Historic Art in the North Western Alberta region.

The Curator will plan and organize, along with their staff, the acquisition, storage, preservation and exhibition of work by individual artists and groups of artists, collections and related materials, including the selection of exhibition themes and designs to promote audience development and education at the Gallery. The position leads the curatorial decisions made within the parameters of the Curatorial Mandate and works closely with the Curatorial Team; Curator, Learning and Executive Director.

On all matters, the position reports directly to the Executive Director.

Specific Duties

• Lead, and staff, the Curatorial Team in the overall planning, development and implementation of annual exhibition programming. The current Exhibitions and Collections team includes full time Associate Curator (Travelling Exhibitions), Curatorial Assistant and Art Preparator.

• Develop specific proposals for exhibitions and conduct scholarly research related to the collection and to the production of exhibitions and publications.

• Originate exhibitions, for those projects approved, including research, production, presentation and publication components as applicable. Select artworks, negotiate loans, design and oversee installations in conversation with staff, compile scholarly catalogue essays and biographical information, coordinate photography, editing and proof-reading of text.

• Provide input, as needed, to the Executive Director on Board policies relating to vision, mission, values, goals and Curatorial and Collections Mandates.

• Maintain current knowledge of the latest developments in exhibit design concepts, techniques, technology, innovations and maintain a broad and current professional knowledge of activities in contemporary art and related fields through studio visits, conferences, lectures and workshops.

• Oversee the booking and in-house presentation (including design and supervision of installation) of exhibitions of art organized by other institutions or by guest curators, for display at the Gallery.

• Oversee the production of assigned publications (catalogues, brochures and posters, etc.), and write scholarly text for exhibition catalogues, text panels, and the Gallery’s newsletter (as required).

• Monitor and control budgets, and provide annual reporting, on the Exhibitions and Collections unit.

• Oversee supportive text for the Canadian Cultural Property Review Board’s consideration for donated artwork, as required.

• Assist the Executive Director with the process related to collections policy, especially in acquisitions, donations, conservation, exhibition and de-accessioning.

• Maintain close contacts with galleries, artists, and art related organizations in the community, province and nation, and represent the Gallery at annual conferences, exhibition openings and other types of professional meetings.

• Research and present lectures, talks, tours and other oral presentations related to exhibitions and related subjects. Respond to questions from the public regarding Gallery exhibits.

• Assist other members of the Curatorial Team in aspects of programming, initiatives, extension activities and didactic publications, as required.

• Assist in organizing and executing fundraising and public programming events as they relate to artists, exhibitions, collections and publications, as required.

• Supervise Exhibitions and Collections staff, including time, priority, development and performance reviews.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Skills and Abilities

Required

• Maintain a thorough knowledge of contemporary and historical art practices locally, nationally and internationally.

• Demonstrate the ability to conduct scholarly research, write to publishing standards and organize exhibitions of art.

• 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, project proposals, grant submissions, 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 successfully motivate and supervise staff, helping to engender a strong sense of team spirit.

• 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 or acceptable knowledge of using computerized desktop publishing and design software and the use of a variety of gallery / museum collection management software.

• The ability to work well in a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural environment with students, faculty and staff

Qualifications

A Master’s 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 relevant and exceptional education and experience.

Three to Five years of recent progressively responsible curatorial experience as an independent curator or in an art gallery or art museum, with demonstrated success in originating art exhibits, including all facets of research, production, installation, publication, and budget development and control.

Demonstrated ability to research, analyze, and write about Canadian and International art to publishing standards

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, April 3rd at 5:00pm

DOWNLOAD a PDF copy of Curator job posting

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

Join visiting artist Guillermo Trejo in exploring his works within the Sonic Youth exhibition. Guillermo Trejo is a Mexican/Canadian Artist based in Ottawa. This 3-hour workshop will teach one of the most interesting and simple techniques of street art: Stencils. The idea of this project is to share this technique with the participants so they can then create their own stencils and make your own statement!

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 20th 4:00 – 7:00 pm

Ages: 13 – 25 years

MAX Participants: 15

Cost: FREE!

Thank you to the exhibition sponsors for Sonic Youth:

Presenting Partner: 

Exhibition Sponsor: 

Exhibition Partner: 

Exhibition Support: 

The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie’s Curator of Exhibitions and Collections, Derrick Chang, invites you on a guided tour of our current exhibition, Sonic Youth. The works in this exhibition encourages youth to learn about the history of social and political movements and to become more aware of the role they play as informed citizens.

Please join us Saturday, February 1st at 2:00pm

Thank you to the exhibition sponsors for Sonic Youth:

Presenting Partner:

Exhibition Sponsor:

Exhibition Partner:

Exhibition Support: