TD Assistant Curatorial Fellowship (Historical/Archival/Cultural Officer 1)

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

Reporting to the Manager of Exhibitions, the Assistant Curator supports the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia's (AGNS) exhibitions program. Their role in the Curatorial division is to assist in the development and delivery of exhibitions of contemporary and Canadian art, with a special focus on artists historically underrepresented in the museum sector, furthering the Gallery's research in this field.

Through the lens of lived experience and understanding of the histories and values of diverse communities, their work involves undertaking original research (including works in the Gallery's collection) while liaising with and nurturing relationships between artists, community groups, and audiences.

The incumbent operates within institutional parameters to support the development of projects that display originality, rigor and a firm grasp of critical issues and cultural competencies to present the practices of artists historically underrepresented in the museum in a contemporary context.

Primary Accountabilities

• Works closely with Curatorial and Programming staff to support the behind-the-scenes logistics and public presentation of exhibitions. Assists with planning and coordinating approved exhibitions including liaising with artists and lenders, implementing and tracking project needs, developing floorplans and overall design, collaborating with others to consider interpretive needs and preparing related materials.
• Provides exhibition information as requested to Education & Programming, Marketing & Visitor Experience, and Development staff for planning and dissemination of public programs, special events, media releases, sponsorship proposals and other needs. Liaises with institutional partners regarding exhibitions and assists with arrangements for their display at the Gallery utilizing established procedures.
• In considering how the Gallery might expand narrative authority and agency with the voice of historically underrepresented communities and diverse groups, supports discussions about innovative reconciliation initiatives and/or counter-models aimed at rethinking the museum as a space of inclusivity. Promotes cultural sensitivity and encourages new ways of working, looking and exhibiting.
• Provides research support for the acquisition process, including preparing materials for the Curatorial Committee.
• Supports research and writes texts for publications, didactic panels, grant proposals, reports, and online projects for a variety of audiences, documenting processes and findings related to exhibitions and collections activities.
• Liaises with historically underrepresented communities and represents the Gallery at a variety of functions such as exhibition openings, talks, and public events across the wider arts sector. Participates as requested on juries, panels, and seminars.
• Provides administrative support to the Manager of Exhibitions. E.g., Assist with loan requests, exhibition proposals, touring projects, contracts for artists and other arts professionals

Qualifications and Experience

To join our ever-changing and dynamic environment, you will possess a bachelor’s degree and 1 year of related experience.

This job is specific to opportunities designated for individuals with membership in an employee equity group.

Knowledge of fine art processes, art history, art education and curatorial practices, trends and developments are required. A working knowledge (or ability to quickly acquire knowledge) of a variety of methods, techniques and materials used in the design, production, administration and evaluation of exhibitions, is required.

Requires excellent interpersonal and communication skills (verbal, written, listening, public speaking), tact, diplomacy, and cultural sensitivities to effectively communicate and engage with a wide variety of audiences from very young to seniors, as well as a diverse curatorial community and artists. Familiarity with the Atlantic region, national and international arts communities would be helpful to you in this role.

Bilingualism is considered an asset.

Equivalency

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

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Additional Information

This is a two (2) year term employment opportunity.  The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

What We Offer

• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.