Gallery Assistant

University of Alberta; Edmonton; On-site; CAD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Alberta is seeking a Gallery Assistant for the Mactaggart Art Collection to support day-to-day operations of the Kenneth and Sandra Wong Gallery and Gallery A at Telus International Centre in Edmonton. You will coordinate exhibitions, programs, and events, assist with installations, maintenance, and collections management, and engage visitors while upholding museum best practices.

A Vulnerable Sector Police Check is required.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary certificate in arts management; coursework or completion of a related undergraduate degree in art history, museum studies, arts administration, or a related degree with a combination of related experience.
• Minimum 2 years experience in coordination of exhibitions, events, programs, gallery attendants.
• Minimum 2 years experience in working with multidisciplinary teams.
• Minimum 2 years experience in working for a cultural/heritage organization.
• Minimum 2 years experience working for a similar organization, gallery, museum, museum collection, with related job duties would be an asset.
• Knowledge of standards of practice in museum collections management and care/handling of museum objects.
• Proficiency with computer software including, Microsoft Office, Google Suite, museum object collections management databases, point of sale, and donation systems.

Responsibilities

• Conduct daily operations for the Kenneth and Sandra Wong Gallery, Gallery A and support the Mactaggart Art Collection. Daily responsibilities include but are not limited to: support with Mactaggart Art Collection projects, visits and access; support around program and event implementation and delivery; ensure the exhibitions and the Mactaggart Art Collection are clean, safe, have appropriate environmental conditions, and support best museum practices.
• Support exhibition & gallery operations through the development of policies and processes and ensuring gallery attendants and staff adhere to gallery, collection, and museum best practices. This will also include supporting monetary donations and the occasional sale of retail items.
• Positively engage with visitors on a regular basis to ensure accurate information about the Mactaggart Art Collection and specific exhibitions and programs are communicated. The Gallery Assistant, Mactaggart Art Collection will lead by example on how to best interact with visitors to the Kenneth and Sandra Wong Gallery, Gallery A, and the Mactaggart Art Collection.
• Assist with exhibition installation/deinstallation as well as other exhibition and museum collections management activities (such as condition reporting) when and where applicable.

Skills

Organizational skills

Written communication

Verbal communication

Problem solving

Creativity

Coordination

Customer service

Multi-tasking

Teamwork

Education

Arts management certificate

Undergraduate degree in art history or museum studies

Tools

Microsoft Office

Google Suite

museum object collections management databases

Point of sale

Donation systems

Job description

Job Description

This position has a term length of one year plus one day from the date of hire.

This position has a term length of one year plus one day from the date of hire.

Location

This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

The Mactaggart Art Collection is composed of more than 1,000 rare works of art, including textiles, costumes, paintings, handscrolls, albums, engravings, and other artifacts from ancient and modern East Asia. It was generously donated to the University of Alberta in 2005 by Edmonton philanthropists Drs. Sandy and Cecile Mactaggart. The collection furthers our knowledge of East Asian cultures, and informs the research of students and scholars world-wide. This collection is one of 30 museum collections that form the University of Alberta Museums, a unique academic museum system that brings together multidisciplinary academic collections that range from art to zoology.

Reporting to the Manager, Museum Programs and Outreach, the Gallery Assistant, Mactaggart Art Collection is an energetic, collaborative and organized individual who is responsible for assisting on a range of museums activities and specific projects related to the Mactaggart Art Collection, which is part of the University of Alberta Museums Collections, as well as other activities. The Gallery Assistant is a temporary trust position within the University of Alberta Museums unit.

The Gallery Assistant, Mactaggart Art Collection is responsible for implementing the day-to-day operations of the Kenneth and Sandra Wong Gallery and Gallery A in the Telus International Centre, thus supporting activities related to the Mactaggart Art Collection, but not limited to it. This position ensures diverse activities such as exhibitions, programs, and special events are implemented as per approved plans. Major areas of responsibility include: staffing exhibitions during public hours; ensuring routine cleaning, maintenance, and preparation of gallery spaces; assisting with the installation/deinstallation of exhibitions; implementing arrangements and assisting with the booking and preparation of programs and events; and performing collections management duties as required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct daily operations for the Kenneth and Sandra Wong Gallery, Gallery A and support the Mactaggart Art Collection. Daily responsibilities include but are not limited to: support with Mactaggart Art Collection projects, visits and access; support around program and event implementation and delivery; ensure the exhibitions and the Mactaggart Art Collection are clean, safe, have appropriate environmental conditions, and support best museum practices.
• Support exhibition & gallery operations through the development of policies and processes and ensuring gallery attendants and staff adhere to gallery, collection, and museum best practices. This will also include supporting monetary donations and the occasional sale of retail items.
• Positively engage with visitors on a regular basis to ensure accurate information about the Mactaggart Art Collection and specific exhibitions and programs are communicated. The Gallery Assistant, Mactaggart Art Collection will lead by example on how to best interact with visitors to the Kenneth and Sandra Wong Gallery, Gallery A, and the Mactaggart Art Collection.
• Assist with exhibition installation/deinstallation as well as other exhibition and museum collections management activities (such as condition reporting) when and where applicable.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Post-secondary certificate in arts management; coursework or completion of a related undergraduate degree in art history, museum studies, arts administration, or a related degree with a combination of related experience.
• Minimum 2 years experience in coordination of exhibitions, events, programs, gallery attendants.
• Minimum 2 years experience in working with multidisciplinary teams.
• Minimum 2 years experience in working for a cultural/heritage organization.
• Minimum 2 years experience working for a similar organization, gallery, museum, museum collection, with related job duties would be an asset.

Knowledge

• Proven passion for museum administration, outreach initiatives, and fostering public participation.
• Knowledge of standards of practice in museum collections management and care/handling of museum objects.
• Proficiency with computer software including, Microsoft Office, Google Suite, museum object collections management databases, point of sale, and donation systems.

Skills

• Excellent organizational, written and verbal communication skills with attention to detail.
• Problem solving, flexibility, creativity, and coordination skills.
• Strong customer service and the ability to multi-task.
• Project management and analytical skills.
• Ability to work as part of a team and also independently.

A condition of employment is the successful completion of a Vulnerable Sector Police Information Check.

This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.

About Us

The University of Alberta, its buildings, labs and research stations are primarily located on the territory of Néhiyaw (Cree), Niitsitapi (Blackfoot), Métis, Nakoda (Stoney), Dene, Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and Anishinaabe (Ojibway/Saulteaux), lands that are now known as part of Treaties 6, 7 and 8 and homeland of the Métis. The University of Alberta respects the sovereignty, lands, histories, languages, knowledge systems and cultures of all First Nations, Métis, and Inuit.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people - from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more .

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of belonging and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes de toute orientation sexuelle ou identité et expression de genre; et toutes les personnes qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.

About The Team

Library and Museums serves the university community through the Library, Museums and Collections, the Copyright Office, and University of Alberta Press.