Vettoretto Curator of North American Archaeology

Royal Ontario Museum; Toronto; Hybrid; CAD 87,000 - 147,000; Full time

Job summary

The Royal Ontario Museum seeks a Vettoretto Curator of North American Archaeology to lead the stewardship and development of its archaeology collection. This role aims to deepen engagement with Indigenous communities and enhance public programming, while fostering innovative research and exhibitions that reflect a diverse cultural landscape.

Qualifications

• Professional experience in a cultural center or museum.
• Track record of archaeological practices.
• Excellent command of spoken and written English.

Responsibilities

• Lead repatriation of Indigenous belongings through community engagement.
• Establish a vision for the archaeology collection.
• Collaborate on innovative exhibition projects.

Skills

Collaborative engagement with communities

Research and publication

Curation

Education

Advanced studies in archaeology or anthropology

Job description

Vettoretto Curator of North American Archaeology

Are you passionate about culture, the arts, natural history, and science? Are you keen on how these elements aesthetically come together to tell the many stories of humanity? Join ROM and consider a fulfilling career as the Vettoretto Curator of North American Archaeology. This position, generously funded by the Vettoretto Family, offers a unique opportunity to lead and innovate in the field of North American archaeology.

POSITION SUMMARY :

The Vettoretto Curator of North American Archaeology (Curator) will lead a collaborative approach to stewarding ROM’s North American, and especially Ontario, archaeology collection, creating exhibitions and presenting programs with Indigenous communities and for broad audiences, as well as undertaking research aligned with museum priorities. Leading the repatriation of Indigenous ancestral belongings through deep engagement with relevant communities, in close partnership with the Hatch Curator of Indigenous Art and Culture, along with the Indigenous Interpretive Planner and Indigenous Museum Educator, the position reports to the Co-Chief Curator, Art and Culture, and will be a key voice in rethinking colonial patterns of practice and centering Indigenous perspectives. An accomplished researcher, the Curator of North American Archaeology will propose and develop ground-breaking exhibitions and interpret ROM’s North American archaeology collection in collaboration with communities through inclusive, transdisciplinary thinking, digital practices, and innovation.

The Curator develops and cares for ROM’s Archaeological collection with a focus on North American cultural materials representing over 13,000 years of human history. The collection includes human remains, and continuing the appropriate return to communities is a top priority of the curatorship. The position will also collaborate with ROM’s Learning Department and Indigenous Museum Educators to develop indigenous-centered educational and outreach programming, including supporting the Ontario curriculum in First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Studies. The Curator will explore questions relevant to Canadian archaeology and throughout the contemporary world and will model inclusive interpretation of collections by a community of voices and viewpoints, acknowledging ROM as a forum rather than a sole authority.

RESPONSIBILITIES :

Collections, Research, and Exhibitions

• Lead the repatriation of Indigenous ancestral belongings (including human remains) through deep engagement with relevant communities, in close partnership with the Hatch Curator of Indigenous Art and Culture, responding to developments in the field and community expectations, and establishing staff repatriation strategies and priorities.
• Establish and lead a vision for the North American archaeology collection, including development of a 10-year collection development plan in alignment with ROM’s mission, vision, values, and strategic plan, and in integration with ROM’s full collection.
• Steward the North American archaeology collection, through fieldwork, study, rotation and display, care and record-keeping, provenance research, digitization, and publication.
• Build ROM’s North American archaeology collection in new directions and through active field research and scholarly endeavor.
• Develop original, scholarly research and publications relating to ROM collections, exhibitions, and related topics.
• Conduct and facilitate research on the North American archaeology collection by visiting scholars.

Exhibition and Gallery Development

• Collaborate with community stakeholders, curatorial colleagues, and interpretive staff to generate innovative visitor-centric and transdisciplinary gallery and exhibition projects.
• Participate in Master Gallery Interpretative Planning (MGIP), and work with ROM exhibition staff to continue the re-development of ROM’s Daphne Cockwell Gallery Dedicated to First Peoples Art and Culture.
• Oversee content development for gallery interventions, rotations, programs, and special exhibitions in North American Archaeology and contribute to larger cross-institutional and transdisciplinary exhibition and gallery projects.

Public Programs and Community Engagement

• Initiate onsite and virtual programs and school curriculum related to North American Archaeology in collaboration with Indigenous Museum Educators and engagement staff.
• Develop relationships with Indigenous communities to build dialogue, interpretation, and pedagogy relating to their ancestral belongings.
• Provide lectures, tours, and workshops to the general public, volunteers, professional colleagues, and museum supporters.
• Cultivate financial and other support for exhibitions, galleries, programs, symposia, acquisitions, research grants, and fellowships through association with professional organizations, foundations, collectors, and donors in collaboration with fundraising staff.
• Embrace other collections, research, exhibition, gallery development, public programs, and community engagement duties as needed.

QUALIFICATIONS :

• Advanced studies in archaeology, social-cultural anthropology, or a closely related field, or equivalent experience in curation, research, and publication with a focus on North America, particularly Canada and Ontario.
• Professional experience in a cultural center, museum, or related environment is an asset.
• Demonstrable track record of archaeological field practices through active engagement and collaboration with local communities.
• Deep understanding, education, and / or practical experience in understanding collections and exhibitions' complexities and societal pressures.
• Excellent command of both spoken and written English.
• Working knowledge of an Indigenous language is an asset.
• Prior experience leading or conducting projects with government grants is appreciated.
• Lived experience of the culture, language, and lifeways of an Indigenous community may be considered.
• Curator search is part of an Indigenous Cohort Hiring initiative to realize ROM’s commitment to having Indigenous staff throughout the organization.
• Ensuring that Indigenous employees find a welcoming environment and a supportive community.

SALARY & TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

START DATE : ASAP

OPEN DATE : August 8, 2024

CLOSE DATE : OPEN UNTIL FILLED

STATUS : Full-time Permanent

EMPLOYEE GROUP : ROMCA

SALARY : $87,664 - $146,234 (CDN)

SCHEDULE : 35 hours weekly

PROBATIONARY PERIOD : Six (6) months

LOCATION (hybrid) : Toronto, ON

Diversity Statement

At ROM, we consider equity, diversity, and inclusion foundational to our institutional success. We seek to foster a workplace that reflects the diversity of the city and province in which we are located and welcome all qualified and experienced candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, age, sex, race, religion, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Accessibility Statement

ROM is committed to fair and accessible employment practices. Upon request, suitable accommodations are available under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA) to applicants invited to an interview.

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. All candidates receiving a verbal job offer will be subject to a background check. This includes a criminal background check and verification of professional references, and other checks depending on the role.

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