Assistant Curator

Veterans Affairs Canada; Canada; On-site; CAD 16,000 - 23,000; Full time

Job summary

The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (VAC) in Bowmanville, ON, invites applications for an Assistant Curator internship. The role supports the Curator in developing 2026/2027 exhibition programmes, curatorial planning for community exhibitions, and on‑site public engagement during gallery hours five days a week.

Candidates should be post‑secondary graduates in Art History, Curatorial Studies, Visual Arts, or related fields, with strong research and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Post‑secondary graduate from studies in Art History, Curatorial Studies, Visual Arts, Visual Studies, or a related field is mandatory.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking and presentation experience.
• Excellent Organizational and Research Skills.
• Ability to multi‑task and work well independently and within a team.
• Experience working within an educational and creative setting.
• An enthusiastic and energetic communication style.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in the use of Standard Office software as well as Communications/document sharing software (such as Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive).
• Ability to speak French is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Working with the Curator to coordinate and develop the VAC’s 2026/2027 exhibition programmes.
• Developing a curatorial plan for the VAC’s 2026 community exhibitions.
• Developing a curatorial plan for the VAC’s exhibitions in public ancillary spaces.
• Coordinating and managing the logistics of installations and takedowns of exhibitions.
• Liaising with preparators and various contractors working on exhibitions.
• Researching and developing exhibition‑related reading material for education staff.
• Working with the Curator to develop marketing, brochure and web copy to promote exhibitions.
• Animating and supervising the gallery space during public hours 5 days/week.
• Being involved in day‑to‑day ongoing programming tasks such as event coordination, booking tours, and delivery of programmes.
• Working with volunteers and interns to train on exhibition content.
• Evaluating each exhibition upon completion to provide feedback on improvement for future development

Skills

Public speaking

Organizational skills

Research skills

Team collaboration

French (asset)

Education

Art History / Curatorial Studies / Visual Arts (related)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Workspace

Job description

Application Deadline: Friday, September 18, 2026

The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (VAC) is a not-for-profit art gallery and arts education centre in Bowmanville, ON. The VAC is dedicated to delivering contemporary art to the Clarington Community, the wider Durham Region, and beyond. It has a 50-year history of community engagement, connecting people of all ages and backgrounds in a creative place for artmaking and learning. The VAC occupies a four-story 1905 Mill, which holds exhibition and studio spaces, including a fully equipped pottery studio, a painting studio, and a rustic loft gallery.

The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (VAC) is seeking a friendly, energetic and organized individual interested in gaining valuable experience within the field of curating, contemporary arts administration, and community development. Working in a creative and vibrant setting, the Assistant Curator will help the Curator develop the VAC's exhibitions and programs. Duties include conducting research on ongoing and upcoming exhibitions, taking a leadership role in developing the VAC's 2026‑2027 community exhibitions, animating the gallery during public hours, and developing well‑researched reading packages for the education team.

Educational and public engagement programs are offered to kids, youth, and adults, while exhibitions of contemporary art show Canadian regional and national artists' works in various stages of their careers. The VAC is a safe space where ideas are exchanged, questions are asked, and connections are made.

Description of tasks:

Working with the Curator to coordinate and develop the VAC’s 2026/2027 exhibition programmes

Developing a curatorial plan for the VAC’s 2026 community exhibitions

Developing a curatorial plan for the VAC’s exhibitions in public ancillary spaces

Coordinating and managing the logistics of installations and takedowns of exhibitions

Liaising with preparators and various contractors working on exhibitions

Researching and developing exhibition‑related reading material for education staff

Working with the Curator to develop marketing, brochure and web copy to promote exhibitions

Animating and supervising the gallery space during public hours 5 days/week. This includes welcoming visitors, leading tours, and providing general information about the VAC.

Being involved in day‑to‑day ongoing programming tasks such as event coordination, booking tours, and delivery of programmes

Working with volunteers and interns to train on exhibition content

Evaluating each exhibition upon completion to provide feedback on improvement for future development

Candidate Profile:

Post‑secondary graduate from studies in Art History, Curatorial Studies, Visual Arts, Visual Studies, or a related field is mandatory

Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking and presentation experience

Excellent Organizational and Research Skills

Ability to multi‑task and work well independently and within a team

Experience working within an educational and creative setting

An enthusiastic and energetic communication style

Strong interpersonal skills

Proficiency in the use of Standard Office software as well as Communications/document sharing software (such as Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive)

Ability to work all twenty‑two (22) weeks (mandatory)

Eligible for the Young Canada Works Program for Building Careers in Heritage

Ability to speak French is an asset

An individual may be eligible for an internship if they:

Are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (non‑Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent status are not eligible);

Are legally entitled to work in Canada;

Are between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment

Are willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment

Will not have another full‑time job (over 30 hours a week) while employed with the program

Are unemployed or underemployed

Are a college or university graduate; and

Are not receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits while employed with the program

Note:

Priority will be given to graduates that have not previously participated in YCW internship programs.

The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to employment equity and building strength through diversity. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and encourage women, visible minorities, and Indigenous peoples to apply. Acknowledging that we are not a fully accessible building, we make every accommodation possible to ensure that we are inclusive in our hiring process.

About the VAC

The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (VAC) is a not-for-profit art gallery and arts education centre in Bowmanville, ON. The VAC is dedicated to delivering contemporary art to the Clarington Community, the wider Durham Region, and beyond. It has a 47-year history of community engagement, connecting people of all ages and backgrounds in a creative place for artmaking and learning. The VAC occupies a four‑story 1905 Mill, which holds exhibition and studio spaces, including a fully equipped pottery studio, a painting studio, and a rustic loft gallery.

Educational and public engagement programs are offered to kids, youth, and adults, while exhibitions of contemporary art show Canadian regional and national artists' works in various stages of their careers. The VAC is a safe space where ideas are exchanged, questions are asked, and connections are made.

The VAC is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to employment equity and building strength through diversity. We encourage applications from qualified candidates from visible and invisible minority group communities, including but not limited to women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and those living across the sexual orientation and gender identity spectrum. Acknowledging that we are not a fully accessible building with stairwell access to our third floor loft gallery space and basement storage level—we attempt to be as inclusive as possible in our hiring process.