Curatorial & Archives Assistant (YCW)

Contract
Toronto
Remote: hybrid or flexible
Posted 1 month ago
$20.00
Deadline: September 29, 2024
Closes: September 29, 2024

Mercer Union

Website

Mercer Union is a non-profit, artist-run centre dedicated to commissioning and producing new works of contemporary art, and providing an engaging program that encourages critical inquiry and conversation. We champion ambitious exhibitions that empower diverse Canadian and international artists in formative and established stages of their practice.

Contents
Description
Position Details
Pay and Benefits
Qualifications and Experience
Application Process

Description

YCW Curatorial & Archives Assistant

Program Stream: Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage
Term: 22-week position, 32 hours / week
Location: Toronto, ON; onsite and remote work as required
Hourly Wage: $20.50 per hour worked, less applicable withholdings and statutory deductions

Mercer Union, a centre for contemporary art, is seeking a Curatorial & Archives Assistant for a 22-week contract beginning 20 October 2024.

Mercer Union is dedicated to the advancement of contemporary art. Our gallery program includes exhibitions of commissioned and newly produced works, a series of commissioned public billboards, fORUM — a critical conversation series — as well as artists’ talks, workshops, seminars and special projects. We are a hub for dialogue, offering various platforms for artists and audiences to exchange ideas, strengthen skills and disseminate knowledge. By doing so, we aim to deepen awareness, scholarship and debate around new and essential discourses in contemporary art.

Reporting to the Director & Curator, the Curatorial & Archives Assistant will support various aspects of working within a contemporary art institution, supporting curatorial research and administration related to the planning, promotion, and production of exhibitions and public programs.

The Curatorial & Archives Assistant will also take a leading role in supporting the maintenance, preservation, and public availability of Mercer Union’s archives. They will be tasked with reviewing and cataloguing a portion of Mercer Union’s physical and digital administrative records. This project will equip the Assistant with practical experience in file management and archival systems, as well as professional connections with museum archives staff.

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Qualifications and Experience

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Meet the requirements of the YCW Program and be a recent graduate of a Post-Secondary Degree in Art History and Museum Studies or a related field. Preference given to candidates with a graduate degree in Archival, Information, and/or Museum Studies
Demonstrated interest in museum or gallery work, arts administration, archives, and public programming. Knowledge of contemporary art and artist-run culture is an asset
Experience with physical and/or digital archival operations and information management preferred
Robust skills in research, writing, and critical thinking
Strong interpersonal skills with experience collaborating or working productively with others
Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
Ability to multitask and manage long and short-term projects
Demonstrated experience with project management and logistics coordination
Mac OS proficiencies with Microsoft Office Suite, G Suite, Dropbox. Proficiencies with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign are an asset

Special Requirements: This role involves sedentary and light work, and candidates must be able to sit at a desk for prolonged periods of time, lift boxes up to 20 pounds, and climb on stools and ladders. For more information about accessibility and physical requirements for this position, please contact Theresa Wang, [email protected]. About the Program Stream: This position is funded in part through the Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage program, and all applicants must be registered in the YCW candidate pool and meet the current YCW-BCH eligibility criteria. An individual may be eligible for this internship if they:

are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (non-Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent status are not eligible);
are legally entitled to work in Canada (have a valid social insurance number);
are between 16 and 30 years of age inclusively at the start of employment; and
are a college or university graduate (certificate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate).

Note: Priority will be given to graduates that have not previously participated in YCW internship programs, and that are unemployed or underemployed. Details: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/young-canada-works/students-graduates/careers-heritage-graduates.html

To apply, email your details to jobs@mercerunion.org

Eligible individuals are invited to submit a current CV and cover letter. Applications must be submitted by email to [email protected] and received by 29 September 2024. Late applications, and those that do not include a CV and cover letter, will not be considered. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted. Mercer Union is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve, and actively works to increase representation of equity-seeking groups within the arts sector. We promote employment equity and strongly encourage applications from racialized candidates, Indigenous peoples, 2SLGBTQIAP persons, and persons with disabilities. If you identify as a member of these groups, you are invited to voluntarily self-identify. Mercer Union is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment and to providing employment accommodation for those who identify as disabled. Please let us know of any accommodation we may provide during the application process. If contacted for an interview, please communicate if you require accommodation.

Posted:

August 16, 2024