Young Canada Works, Collections Intern
Leighton Art Centre
Start date: June 2, 2025
End date: February 13, 2026
Hours: Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm, 35 hours per week
Pay: $20 per hour
Duration: 37 Weeks
Leighton Art Centre is looking for a Young Canada Works (YCW) funded collections intern to join our team! The deadline to apply has been extended until May 9, 2025.
About Leighton Art Centre
The Leighton Art Centre is a designated Alberta Historic Resource located 15 km south of Calgary, Alberta. It is the former home of 20th Century artists and arts educators A.C. and Barbara Leighton and includes a museum, galleries, shop, education center and outdoor trails. We are a rural location; a reliable vehicle is required.
Position Overview
Reporting to the executive director, the collections intern (CI) is an integral member of the Leighton Art Centre Team and ensures best museum practices are implemented at the Leighton Art Centre. The CI must be a self-starter, organized, dependable and have a passion for art, history, and nature. The successful candidate will complete archiving, collections management, and research projects.
Archives: The CI will use their training, research and the precedent established by the LAC’s current Records Management Policy to guide them in review, processing, filing, and updating of LAC’s historical documents. The CI will be provided with a workspace, laptop, hard-drive, scanner, folders, and filing systems, to review, file and digitize any documents that they assess as potentially informative for researchers and staff. Using researched standards and the requirements outlined in the LAC’s current Records Management Policy, the Intern will be responsible for assigning correct metadata for each scanned document.
Collections: The CI will conduct a thorough inventory of the physical collections and storage to assess and improve its accessibility, digitization, and adherence to the organization’s goals. Part of this task will be to ensure all records are accurate and up to date in the LAC collections management system. The CI will photograph any outstanding items (camera, tripod, lighting, and backdrop) where photographic documentation is currently unavailable. The CI will document any artifacts recommended for deaccession, and a second for items not yet accessioned that they suggest adding to the permanent collection. These recommendations will include their research and justifications for each, which they will present to the Executive Director and Board. Once their suggestions are accepted, the CI will complete both the deaccessioning and accessioning procedures, informed by their research and guided by the standards and processes outlined by LAC policies.
Research: The CI will conduct research on museum collections and archival policies using internal and external collections, libraries, and archives. They will find and take notes on the policies and standards outlined by Canadian collecting institutions. They will also conduct interviews with museum and collections professionals to gain a deep understanding of their ethical responsibilities as stewards. The CI will also research the histories and legacies of colonialism in Treaty 7 Territory to understand the context of the Leighton Art Centre within larger social, political, and cultural contexts. The CI may meet with local Elders and Indigenous teachers to ensure their research includes many voices and points of view.
Writing: The CI will review the Collections Policy that guides LAC’s collecting, accessioning, deaccessioning and stewardship standards and recommend updates or changes for the future. This work will demonstrate the CI’s ability to synthesize their research, analyze current operations and consider LAC’s position, goals, and role in the community. Their work will be clearly written with all current and future goals in mind and will effectively communicate and communicate this collection information to all of LAC staff members and volunteers.
The CI may also assist with day-to-day museum operations such as interacting with the public and participating in major events as needed.
The ideal candidate will:
- Have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in museum studies, art history, curatorial studies or history.
- Have undertaken independent research within or beyond their program of study.
- Understand Canada’s colonial histories and its legacies as they relate to museums and collecting.
- Be self-motivated and hard-working with keen communications and problem-solving skills.
- Must be a Canadian graduate, legally entitled to work in Canada.
- Must be registered in the Young Canada Works at youngcanadaworks.ca and meet all the eligibility requirements defined by YCW Building Careers in Heritage program.
Additional competencies include:
- Excellent computer and organizational skills.
- Strong attention to detail and a demonstrated ability to take initiative and problem solve.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
To align the LAC’s demographics with those of the Canadians we represent, the LAC is committed to proactive human resources practices, and prioritizing initiatives that support diversity and inclusion. We ensure opportunities are offered based on skills, merit, and learning potential. Priority will be given to Indigenous applicants.
Interested applicants are invited to submit a cover letter and resumé to Darryl Lindenbach via email: executivedirector@leightoncentre.org or apply through the YCW portal young-canada-works.canada.ca.
The deadline to apply is May 9, 2025.
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only eligible candidates considered for an interview will be contacted.
