Curatorial Assistant, Arts of Global Africa & the Diaspora

Art Gallery of Ontario; Toronto; On-site; CAD 68,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent art institution in Toronto is seeking a Curatorial Assistant for the Arts of Global Africa and the Diaspora. The successful candidate will liaise with the Curator and assist in exhibition preparation, research, and administration. A graduate degree in a relevant field and at least 5 years of experience in a cultural context are essential. Responsibilities include conducting detailed research, supporting exhibitions, and collaborating with various departments to ensure successful programming. This role offers a chance to engage deeply with collections and contribute to educational initiatives.

Benefits

Discounts to GoodLife Fitness

Free tickets to major exhibits

Discounts to attractions

Free admission for friends and family

Qualifications

• Completion of a graduate degree in art history, visual culture, or fine arts.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a cultural context.
• 3 years of experience in a curatorial department required.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Curator in exhibition preparation and administration.
• Conduct research and write reports for curatorial meetings.
• Coordinate public programs related to exhibitions.

Skills

Research skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Attention to detail

Problem-solving skills

Education

Graduate degree in relevant field (MA, MFA, PhD)

Tools

The Museum System (TMS)

MS Office

Job description

Curatorial Assistant, Arts of Global Africa and the Diaspora

Regular Full-Time

35 hours per week

ART + AUDIENCE + LEARNING

Located in Toronto, the Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest art museums in North America, attracting approximately one million visitors annually. The AGO Collection of more than 120,000 works of art ranges from cutting‑edge contemporary art to significant works by Indigenous and Canadian artists and European masterpieces.

AGO Values:

• Respect: We foster belonging and appreciate each other.
• Openness: We interact with an open mind and thoughtful engagement.
• Collaboration: We believe in the power of together.
• Accountability: We own our actions and outcomes.

We are currently seeking a Curatorial Assistant, Arts of Global Africa and the Diaspora to join our Curatorial team. Under the direction of the Curator, Arts of Global Africa and the Diaspora, the incumbent will assist in all duties related to collections and exhibition development in the Department of the Arts of Global Africa & the Diaspora, with a special focus on the Sunday Best exhibition. The Curatorial Assistant is responsible for a variety of curatorial and administrative tasks including exhibition research, planning, programs and events; managing contacts and correspondence; assisting with the coordination of catalogs, didactic materials, and exhibition documentation; writing and editing exhibition‑related copy; and registration activities. In addition, the Curatorial Assistant may have the opportunity to generate original programs and exhibitions.

The salary range for this position is $68,595.00 - $85,685.00 per annum.

What is this position responsible for?

• Assists the Curator, Arts of Global Africa and the Diaspora in all duties related to curatorial preparation and administration of assigned exhibitions. Provides on‑going research and support for the Sunday Best exhibition, currently in development. Searches collection catalogues and databases to locate relevant works; conducts in‑depth biographical research about artists, their subjects and related events and places; prepares draft lists of artworks, sources, contact information, collections and collectors to visit and prioritizes them based on relevance. Works with Public Programming and Education to plan and coordinate public programs related to exhibitions, as requested.
• Assists in the mounting of exhibitions related to the Department of the Arts Global Africa and the Diaspora by determining the location of works to be included in exhibitions, as requested. Works with artists, collectors, and colleagues to facilitate loans. Working with Registration staff, facilitates artwork permissions and copyright clearance for images and maintains accurate credit lines. Assists with the maintenance of accurate exhibition checklists, image files, lender information, and other exhibition details. Works with project management to notify appropriate departments of schedules; and oversees the dissemination of information both internally and externally. Helps create, coordinate, and edit exhibition descriptions and didactic materials such as wall text, labels, and newsletter and website content. Helps to ensure accuracy of information for AGO publications, in print and online.
• Conducts research on assigned objects and writes reports for presentation at the Friends of Global Africa and the Diaspora (FGAD) Curatorial Committee meetings.
• Assists the Curator, Arts of Global Africa and the Diaspora and works with Conservation staff in the preparation of collection rotations, with changes to the permanent collection installations; advises other Gallery departments of changes to installations.

What are we looking for?

• Completion of a graduate degree, such as a Master of Arts (MA), Master of Fine Arts (MFA), or Doctorate (PHD) in art history, fashion history, visual culture, fine arts, or an equivalent qualification.
• Strong background in the history of modern and contemporary art and art by artists of African descent.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience working within a cultural context or fashion industry.
• Minimum 3 years directly related experience working in a curatorial department.
• Experience and training in handling works on paper and photography in a Gallery or Museum setting.
• Familiarity with museum operations and collections databases; experience with The Museum System (TMS) a plus.
• Ability to work well with others and communicate effectively with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong administration and coordination skills, with a methodical approach and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently and deliver work within agreed timeframes.
• Effective problem‑solving skills.
• Strong computer skills, including using the MS Office packages, and a willingness to learn new computer skills.
• Passionate and knowledgeable about contemporary costume from Africa and its Diaspora.
• Well‑developed research, organizational, interpersonal, public relations, written and verbal communication skills.
• Working knowledge of the installation process for works of art.
• Demonstrated experience working with a variety of computer software packages.
• Ability to work collaboratively and a commitment to meeting deadlines.
• Publication experience.

What are the benefits of working at the AGO?

• Discounts to GoodLife Fitness.
• Free tickets to every major exhibit at AGO.
• Discounts to major attractions as part of the Provincial/City Reciprocal Programs.
• Free admission to the AGO for friends and family, discounts at the gift shop, bistro, and Learning Centre.

If this sounds like the opportunity you are looking for, apply!

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility:

At the AGO, we lead global conversations from Toronto through extraordinary collections, exhibitions, and programs, reflecting the diverse community we serve. Committed to fostering inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility, we embed these values into our strategic plan and ongoing priorities.

To Apply:

Please submit your resume and cover letter outlining your relevant experience and qualifications online at https://jobs.jobvite.com/ago/jobs/viewall. We thank all applicants for their interest in the position; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

The Art Gallery of Ontario is an Equal Opportunity Employer.