Art Education Assistant (Young Canada Works)

About Us

As a celebrated Canadian gallery, the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (AGNS) is deeply connected to the cultures and communities of Atlantic Canada, a region shaped by its enduring relationship with the sea. It is committed to this mission as an agency of the Province of Nova Scotia and one of the premier arts institutions in Canada.

Since its beginnings in 1908 as the Nova Scotia Museum of Fine Arts, the gallery has been at the heart of the province’s cultural evolution. It officially became the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in 1975. Over the years, the AGNS has cultivated an impressive permanent collection of nearly 20,000 works, including Canadian and Indigenous art, contemporary installations, and a renowned folk-art collection featuring Maud Lewis’s iconic painted house and the largest public collection of her work.

As a gallery, we invite collective engagement, interaction, and dialogue; examination, reflection, and the disentanglement of historical and contemporary narratives. Through our work, the AGNS challenges individuals to take risks, re-imagine, and make changes for a more equitable and just world. 

Please note, due to legislative changes, as of January 1, 2023, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (AGNS) employees are no longer Civil Servants and are instead direct employees of the AGNS.

About Our Opportunity

The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (AGNS) provides innovative programming and learning opportunities for Nova Scotia residents and visitors to the province. As an Art Education Assistant, you will play an important planning and coordination role to assist the programing division meet our goals and objectives. We will work together to find new and creative ways to deliver meaningful and inspiring programs and art experiences for children, youth, adults and special interest groups during the 2026 summer season.

In addition, you will assist in developing and delivering engaging and meaningful art programs and activities using numerous delivery models for a wide range of audiences.

Primary Accountabilities

• Assist with the design and lead on the delivery of the Summer Day Camp program
• Develop and deliver art lessons in the studios, that support themes on view in the exhibition that are fun, inviting and age appropriate.
• Give guided tours to campers and visitors
• Greeting children and families at the beginning and end of each program day
• Leading with supervision, and ensuring safety and well being of participants
• Helping students and instructors as needed
• Assisting with other public program delivery when necessary
• Learn about exhibitions presently on view
• Support content generation and delivery of in person activities for children and youth in the Gallery and in community including guided tours.
• Assist with studio maintenance, restocking, and organization and preparing materials for instructors.
• Assist with development of public education activities in the Gallery as needed with staff.

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful candidate, you are a full-time university or community college student enrolled in a relevant program (such as Fine Arts, Art History, Art Education, Museum Studies, or a related field such as Community Development, or an equivalent combination of experience will be considered), returning to full-time study in September 2026. Preference will also be given to those currently enrolled in their second or third year of post-secondary education.

In addition to the above, you demonstrate the ability to work with children, youth, and adults of all ages in an artmaking and interpretation setting. You possess strong communication skills (both written and verbal) and demonstrate strong planning, problem solving and organizational skills. You have experience and confidence using Microsoft programs (word, excel), web research, email (outlook) and experience using online social media platforms.

At times, this role may be working independently or in a team environment and as the successful candidate, you must clearly demonstrate an understanding of the dynamics to work effectively with the diverse public in a professional manner.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Additional Information

Candidates must be registered in the Young Canada Works (YCW) on-line candidate inventory (https://young-canada-works.canada.ca) and meet the eligibility criteria of the program.

A Criminal Record Check, Child Abuse, and Vulnerable Sector Check will be required for this position.

There is one (1) summer student positions available with a start date of June 1, 2026 and an end date of August 28, 2026