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Position: Curator of Contemporary Art, Art Gallery of Hamilton
Supervisor: Chief Curator
Schedule: Full Time

The Art Gallery of Hamilton is seeking a dynamic individual to join its talented programming staff as Curator of Contemporary Art.

Reporting to the Chief Curator, this curatorial position is responsible for the production of contemporary exhibitions at the Gallery from concept to realization including research, planning, organization, set-up coordination and interpretation.

The successful candidate holds an M.A. in Art History or related qualification and has two to five years experience in a public art gallery, preferably in contemporary curatorial work. A history of insightful exhibitions and publications will be an asset.

The Curator of Contemporary Art must demonstrate excellent communications skills -- both written and oral -- and possess excellent research, administrative, supervisory and organizational skills. The successful candidate must be able to take initiative, work well both independently and in a team-oriented environment. This position requires excellent interpersonal skills. The position will require travel and does involve overtime.

Job summary:
To research, interpret and disseminate visual art practices since 1980 in accordance with the AGH policies and procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities:
- Produce and project manage exhibitions and publications, including research, planning, organization, installation and interpretation
- Conduct scholarly research related to the collection towards the production of exhibitions and publications
- Develop the collection of contemporary art by recommending works of art for purchase and donation
- Facilitate communication and build relationships with local, regional and national visual art communities
- Maintain, enhance and initiate contact with artists, art dealers, collectors and colleagues
- Communicate the cultural value of the collection to the public
- Maintain knowledge of local, national and international practices in contemporary art
- Articulate relationships between regional, national and international art practices
- Understand and implement current museum practices and standards
- Maintain knowledge of current scholarly resources and information technology
- Collaborate/coordinate with staff in the production of exhibitions (collections management, conservation, technical services) touring exhibitions, and community gallery projects and meet the needs of other departments in the promotion and dissemination of contemporary art practices (marketing, communications, education)
- Supervise contract designers, editors, guest curators and writers
- Prepare budgets for exhibitions and ensure adherence to approved budgets
- Provide materials as required for sponsorship and grant applications
- Review and present exhibition proposals to the Curatorial department
- Manage correspondence relating to exhibition proposals from artists and galleries
- Coordinate logistics related to exhibitions with AGH staff (Collections and Exhibitions Manager, Preparators, Security) and outside organizations (signage companies, shipping, etc.)
- Manage AGH publications’ ISBN assignation and distribution in Canada

Job Requirements:
- M.A.; (art history or related discipline)
- 2-5 years experience in a public art gallery or in contemporary curatorial work.
- Advanced communications skills (oral and written)
- Demonstrated experience writing about contemporary art
- Basic knowledge of budgeting and funding requirements and agencies
- Must be well organized and teamwork oriented with an ability to work independently and with others (artists, colleagues, volunteers, stakeholders, and the public)
- Must be willing and available to travel internationally
- Written and oral fluency in a second language an asset.

Kindly apply in writing before Monday, June 1, 2009:
Margaret Hayes
Director, Finance & Administration
Art Gallery of Hamilton
123 King Street West
Hamilton, ON L8P 4S8
Fax: 905-577-6940
E-mail: margaret -at- artgalleryofhamilton.com

*The AGH thanks all applicants for their interest; however, only those granted interviews will be contacted.

The McMaster Museum of Art (MMA) is a public, university-affiliated art museum, one amongst 40 such institutions in Canada. The MMA houses one of the best collections in a university-affiliate in Canada. The collection of approximately 8,000 works including pre-modern, modern and contemporary European and Canadian Art, is housed in a facility with museum standard environmental and security controls. The Museum has an active acquisitions program. The Museum has five exhibition galleries which host exhibitions of the Museum's permanent collection; in-house produced exhibitions of contemporary Canadian art; thematic exhibitions in association with research interests across McMaster University's campus; and borrowed exhibitions from sister cultural institutions.

Reporting to the Director/Chief Curator of the MMA, the Curator will contribute to the academic and research interests of the University and the Museum through the production and development of innovative and engaging exhibitions; publications; and acquisitions. The Curator will provide instruction, both formally and informally, to staff, students and visitors. The position's curatorial responsibilities will support the academic mission of McMaster University to encourage lifelong learning, academic innovation and an inclusive community. Of utmost importance is a knowledge of, and commitment to, innovation in museological practice and an interest in developing a relevant practice within the context of a university-affiliate.

In addition to the curatorial component of the position, the Curator is considered part of the University's management team and as such will supervise museum staff, students and volunteers. The Curator will be expected to participate in the various management and leadership programs offered by the University's Centre for Continuing Education.

The successful candidate will possess the following qualifications:

- A Masters level degree or higher in art history, curatorial or museum studies.
- At least 15 years experience working in a cultural institution in a curatorial capacity.
- At least 15 years experience managing/supervising staff.
- A demonstrated knowledge of pre-modern, modern, and contemporary art.
- A demonstrated knowledge of European and Canadian art.
- A demonstrated curatorial reputation as revealed through one's exhibition and publication history.

McMaster University is an equal opportunity employer. Interested applicants should send: 1) an up-to-date CV; along with 2) a statement regarding their curatorial intentions as they pertain to the university-affiliated context, directly to:

McMaster Museum of Art
Attn: Director/Chief Curator
1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L6
Canada

Only those candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.
Deadline for applications is May 29th, 2009.

Hamilton Artists Inc. (HAI) Call for Proposals
Proposal Deadline: July 31, 2008

Established in 1975, Hamilton Artists Inc. (HAI) is one of the founding galleries of the artist-run centre system in Canada. The organization is entering an exciting development stage as it approaches the opening of a newly purchased, multi-presentation complex in November of 2008. For the 2010-2011 exhibition schedule, HAI is seeking: a wide range of multi-disciplinary proposals from artists as well as curatorial proposals for solo and group exhibitions in the Main Space; community-based proposals for limited programming in the community gallery area; intermedia works, sculpture/installation, performance art, video projection, sound art, site-responsive and relational works and other imaginative proposals for the courtyard space and the glass corridor that links the two buildings; and proposals by critical writers to produce exhibition texts.

The new home of HAI (opening in November 2008) features: Two gallery spaces - A 1200 sq. ft Main Space, and a 600 sq ft Members Space/ Community Gallery; a 2500 square ft. multi-purpose outdoor courtyard; a programmable glass corridor linking the two galleries; and a two-floor artist-in-residence space with a studio, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom.

Hamilton Artists Inc. pays CARFAC artist fees for Main Space exhibitions and related exhibition costs, and assists with shipping. For more details, visit the website.