Gallery Assistant
The deadline for this opportunity has passed.
Application Deadline: May 27, 2019
Term: 35 hours per week, eight-week contract at $16/hour
The New Gallery (TNG) is an artist-run centre located in Calgary Chinatown on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, including the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), the Stoney Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations), and the Tsuut’ina First Nation. Mohkínstsis/Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III.
TNG is committed to providing opportunities and venues for artists that foster social and political creative practices while engaging and educating audiences through contemporary art. Over the past 40+ years as an organization, TNG has supported the research, development, and exhibition of hundreds of artists’ work.
TNG is now seeking youth for the seasonal position of gallery assistant to support permanent staff in the gallery’s programs and operations.
The gallery assistant reports to the director and has a working relationship with all staff and programmed artists. This position is integral to supporting TNG during the busy summer months while the organization undertakes additional partnerships, festival programming, and begins preparations for the fall season of programming.
This role provides an opportunity for youth to gain hands-on experience in many of the aspects of working in contemporary artist-run culture, including exhibition design and planning, program development, arts administration, and publishing. Training specific to the role will be provided.
Qualifications
This position is funded through Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ). Applicants must meet the following CSJ requirements to be eligible:
- Be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment.
- Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment.
- Have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.
The successful applicant for this position will have a strong interest in and knowledge of contemporary art and artist-run culture and will be passionate about the Calgary arts community.
Additionally, the successful candidate will be highly organized, self-motivated, and have strong communication and writing skills. A proficiency in Cantonese and/or Mandarin, and the ability to translate English programming information and signage, is considered an asset for this position.
Responsibilities
- Support the installation and de-installation of all exhibitions taking place during the internship.
- Assist in executing co-presented programs throughout each partnership, from logistics and project management to programming adjudication and research.
- Assist in day-to-day operations, including communicating programming with audience members, documenting exhibitions and events, fundraising, and helping with the maintenance of the library and archive.
- Organize and support seasonal and one-time events, including but not limited to TNG’s annual volunteer appreciation party and programming adjudications.
Application Guidelines
Applicants should submit a single PDF file containing their current CV and a letter of interest to su@thenewgallery.org with the subject line Application: Gallery Assistant 2019
The letter of interest should include a brief outline of the applicant’s interest in artist-run centres and in working for TNG. The letter should also demonstrate an understanding of the position and specifically address relevant qualifications and experiences.
Mailed, faxed, and late applications will not be considered. We thank all applicants for their interest, but due to large application volumes, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Note that contact information for three professional references will be required if you are contacted for an interview.
TNG is an equal opportunity employer and is interested in receiving applications from a broad spectrum of qualified people who are representative of the Province’s diversity.
For more information about The New Gallery, please visit thenewgallery.org.
