09 Jul 2015

Job Opportunity: Visiting Academic Curator

Do you believe in the power of ideas, possibility, and in building community? The Alberta College of Art + Design (ACAD) is looking for an engaged and innovative Visiting Academic Curator to assist in the future development of the Illingworth Kerr Gallery (IKG).

This new Limited Term position comes at a transformative time for the Illingworth Kerr Gallery (IKG) as ACAD seeks to evolve and extend the role the IKG plays in our institution and in our external communities. The IKG has maintained a public exhibition program of contemporary visual art for nearly 50 years, the longest running such art program in Calgary. The IKG is a significant gallery facility at the heart of ACAD, with two connected galleries measuring a total of 4,000 square feet.

In addition to fulfilling its mandate of fostering a living culture in Alberta by providing a context for viewing and discussing new and recent art in all media and by a wide range of cultural producers, the IKG is an integral part of the student experience at ACAD. To that end, ACAD's goal is to make the IKG even more inclusive and representative of the variety of programs at the college to help us thrive and support future academic growth.

This evolution provides an exciting opportunity for someone with vision and ingenuity to lead an internal committee tasked with developing the curation, programming and operations of the gallery in new and creative ways.


Why ACAD?

A leading centre of education and research since 1926, ACAD energizes art and design in Canada and internationally. We engage the world, create possibilities, and connect with brilliant minds in all corners of the globe.

Above all, we are passionate about art and design and the people who create it.

Calgary is our home base – a vibrant, cosmopolitan urban centre, a safe and friendly atmosphere, and outstanding potential for adventure in nearby mountain parks.

We hope you will join us at ACAD (where creativity matters).


The Opportunity

(Competition #1415-JN-FT-56)

Under the Research + Academic Affairs portfolio, the Visiting Academic Curator will lead an internal committee (including faculty, staff, students and alumni) to develop strategic plans for the key areas of activity within the Gallery. The position will be responsible for the implementation of those plans and will oversee at an operational level marketing, program administration, budget management and reporting. This is a one year limited term faculty position, with the possibility of extension to a second year.

Duties and Responsibilities
• Organize exhibitions for the gallery with direct connection to and in collaboration with faculty and students from diverse programs in art, craft + design;
• Work directly with members of ACAD's faculty to include the IKG's temporary exhibitions and permanent collections in their classroom activities;
• Coordinate faculty, staff and student-curated exhibitions;
• In collaboration with the President +CEO, develop a strategy for growing and displaying the collection throughout our facility;
• Create new student internship initiatives, in which students will work at the gallery or with the collection;
• Provide ongoing support for gallery staff and manage existing projects;
• Produce new knowledge about objects in ACAD's collection;
• Assist in developing curatorial curriculum, outreach programs and foster community relations;
• Manage gallery budget and supervise Gallery operations and staff
• Other duties as assigned


The successful candidate will have:
• Graduate degree in a related field. Terminal degree with a specialization in Contemporary Art and Curatorial Studies preferred.
• Critical and creative inquiry with a focus on curation
• Gallery and/or Museum experience and an active record of professional accomplishment
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of constituents including students, staff, faculty and the public.
• Experience in community outreach and/or collaboration
• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in exceptional circumstances

This is a one year limited term faculty position, with the possibility of extension to a second year. Start date is negotiable, however, preference will be given to candidates able to commence in Fall 2015


How to Apply
https://acad-openhire.silkroad.com/epostings/index.cfm?fuseaction=app.jobInfo&version=1&jobid=143

>>>Please submit an updated cover letter and CV by August 15, 2015.

Only applications submitted electronically will be considered. Please package all files as a single PDF document and do not submit as a 'zip' or 'Stuffit' compressed file.

If you are a previous applicant and have a profile created, please do not only update your profile. You must submit your application through the posting as well or your application will not be reviewed for this opportunity.

Further information about the College is available on our website at www.acad.ca.

ACAD is an equal opportunity employer and is strongly committed to fostering diversity within our community. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of the College. We encourage expressions of interest from all qualified applicants for consideration for this or other suitable vacancies although applications from Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.

The collection of personal information is for the purpose of determining eligibility and suitability for employment as authorized by the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act, section 33(c). If you have any questions about the collection of your information, please contact Human Resources at hr@acad.ca or (403)284-7683.

While we thank all candidates for their interest, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.