Gallery Preparator & AV Technician
Location: Contemporary Calgary (701 11 St. SW)Full or Part Time: Full-TimeHours of Work: 40 hours/week. Weekend and evening work may be required.Regular/Temporary: 1–year fixed term contract with possibility of extensionSalary: $50,000/ year
Closing date: September 30, 2023
About Contemporary Calgary
Contemporary Calgary provides Calgary and its visitors with a significant visual arts destination dedicated to modern and contemporary art. We believe that art can foster conversation, encourage the exploration of new ideas, and ultimately transform the places we live and the lives we lead.
With recent exhibitions that include ground-breaking contemporary names like Yoko Ono, Robert Houle, Chitra Ganesh, Diane Arbus and Marman and Borins, the gallery plays a central role in Canada’s cultural landscape and is pivotal to the continued growth of Calgary’s growing contemporary art quarter.
Contemporary Calgary is an equal-opportunity employer committed to creating a diverse, respectful and inclusive environment that is reflective of the community we serve. We encourage applications from all qualified candidates.
Curatorial Department
The Curatorial Department realizes an ambitious programme of temporary exhibitions and commissions, that requires the safe, proper and timely handling of all artwork.
How to Apply
Please apply with a cover letter and resume by September 30, 2023 to careers@contemporarycalgary.com.
Subject Line: Gallery Preparator & AV Technician
Not all applicants will be contacted for an interview.
Job Description
The gallery preparator & A/V tech works closely and collaboratively with the curatorial team and the facilities manager in the planning and preparation of exhibitions. This includes organization of transport and insurance; registrarial duties; installation and de-installation of exhibitions.
Duties & responsibilities
Housed in what is regarded as a brutalist architectural icon, the gallery building was originally built as the Centennial Planetarium in 1967. Contemporary Calgary’s distinct architecture that includes three galleries, one auditorium, and a dome theatre, affords a range of dynamic programming that is site-specific and diverse. Each of the galleries has a unique design that accommodates exhibitions of varied scale and scope, and situates active conversations around artistic content and social changes. Contemporary Calgary hosts a programme of six to eight temporary exhibitions in a year that celebrate established figures, provide a platform for emerging artists and tendencies; new, site-specific commissions; and displays of works from important collections. The gallery preparator & A/V tech will work on the delivery of several projects concurrently.
Artwork Handling and Installation:
- Perform and assist with the unpacking/packing, logging, preparation, and installation/de-installation of artwork.
- Perform and assist with the cleaning, repair, or repositioning of artwork as directed by the curatorial team.
- Support the transportation of crated artwork through exhibition spaces, hallways, elevators, and loading dock (including the safe and secure loading/unloading of vehicles) in coordination with the curatorial team.
- Support the placement and adjustment of lights per the direction of the curatorial team to properly illuminate exhibitions.
- Perform and assist with other art-handing, installation and de- installation tasks as needed and assigned.
- Monitor and maintain budgets for specific exhibitions and exhibition catalogues meticulously and in a timely fashion. This includes obtaining estimates, processing invoices, maintaining digital and physical budget files and liaising with the Finance Department.
Fabrication:
- Assist with the reading and interpretation of drawings and plans, and assist with the preparation, fabrication, and finishing of certain elements of museum-specific objects.
- Assist with the installing and de-installing of pedestals, kick bases, freestanding and wall-mounted vitrines, exhibition furniture, and one-of-a-kind artist-driven constructions, among other projects.
- Perform basic cutting using contractor-style table saws and/or sliding table saws, sliding compound mitre saws and abrasion disc chop saws, light-duty routers, and angle grinders.*Note that for more complicated, specialized fabrication needs, external contractors will be engaged.
Registrar:
- Organize condition and packing reports to museum standard, keeping records of movement and conditions of works and liaise with conservators and couriers when necessary.
- Organize and oversee exhibition-related transport, which includes updating shipping lists, obtaining estimates of costs, monitoring customs documentation, liaising with shippers and the exhibition curator.
- Issue contracts to partner organizations, artists, curators and authors in consultation with the department.
- Maintain files and correspondence as well as archiving past exhibition files.
Audio Visual:
- Assist in the installation and de-installation of time-based/new media-based artwork.
- Read drawings, plans, spec sheets and help pull equipment from AV inventory.
- Assist in the preparation, installation, and de-installations of multi-channel audio-visual environments by preparing surfaces to project on, securing ceiling/wall-mounted projectors, calibrating projections via laser levelling/keystoning/lens shifting, connecting speakers and amplifiers, executing cable/cord management with an emphasis on discreet/subtle placement, fabricating custom cables/cords/adapters, etc.
- Independently execute the preparation, installation, and de-installation of a single-channel audio-visual artwork.
- Front-of-house / mic tech audio experience that includes set up and operating audio and visual equipment for multimedia presentations, artist talks, and educational programs.
Requirements:
- BFA in Studio Art, Furniture Design, Product Design, Architecture, Engineering, etc., or an equivalent experience at a professional/commercial level.
- Minimum of three years of professional experience working as an art handler, fabricator, carpenter, or A/V tech at other museums, galleries, design/build firms, academic institutions, etc.
- Able to work independently or in a team setting with a high level of attention to detail, sense of urgency, and ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
- Working knowledge of museum best practices and standards in handling artworks (during transportation, unpacking, condition reporting, and hanging) and in installing and de-installing artwork (hanging, rigging, tethering systems, anchor types and installation methods, security hardware types and installation, etc.).
- Working knowledge of manipulating different types of materials (wood, composites, plastics, metal, cement).
- Working knowledge of different types of audio-visual equipment. Working knowledge of gallery lighting (wiring/adapting fixtures, creating custom gels, knowledge of different styles of bulbs and their applications).
- Excellent communication skills (written, verbal, and auditory), as well as strong listening skills.
- Strong organization and knolling skills applied before, during, and after execution of tasks with regard to tools, materials, and workspaces.
- Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Professional demeanour when interacting with staff, couriers, and visiting artists; including but not limited to safe/proper dress code.
- Ability to proactively adapt and execute changes in layout, presentation or changes in types/dimensions of display furniture, hardware, and layout to suit the ever-changing needs of the museum that are inherent to this industry is essential.
- Proficiency with moving and lift equipment including but limited to staging dollies, a-frames, painting carts, push-around aerial lift platforms, and scissor lifts.
