The Power Plant
Application Deadline: April 28, 2023

The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery at Harbourfront Centre is Canada\xe2\x80\x99s leading public gallery devoted exclusively to the art of our time and is recognized as an important centre for contemporary art in North America. Since 1987, The Power Plant has been on a mission to create an open culture and community for people to be face-to-face with thought-provoking contemporary art and ideas. We have a culturally diverse workforce and audience whose lives and communities we seek to enrich through encouraging exploration of self and society. More than a gallery, The Power Plant is a community hub that caters to adults, youth, and children through broad and unique programming. It is a window into a diverse range of ideas and perspectives that inspire unlimited personal discovery. To learn more about us, please visit www.thepowerplant.org. We are currently looking for an experienced, imaginative, collaborative and passionate Curator of Exhibitions to oversee and contribute to the gallery\xe2\x80\x99s curatorial program and lead the development, curation and administration of innovative exhibitions, offsite projects, editions, and publications. Our ideal candidate is highly knowledgeable and current with local, national and international contexts for contemporary art and art engagement; possesses excellent interpersonal skills that foster positive relationships with artists, audiences, staff, donors, stakeholders and programming partners; and is excited about playing a dynamic contributing role in advancing The Power Plant\xe2\x80\x99s mandate, mission and vision.
Position Title: Curator of Exhibitions Reporting To: Head of Curatorial Affairs Direct Reports: Curatorial staff including Curatorial Fellows, Curatorial Interns and others as assigned Type of Employment: Full time, 35-hour work week Location: Toronto

Role Summary

The Curator of Exhibitions contributes to the strategic vision of The Power Plant and oversees the curatorial program, leading the development, curation and administration of innovative exhibitions, offsite projects, editions, and publications, as well as managing related budgets and staff.

Duties

• Collaborate with the Head of Curatorial Affairs to implement a ground-breaking and internationally significant exhibition program that supports the development of and engagement with contemporary art in Canada.
• In collaboration with the Curatorial and Installation teams, research and coordinate a wide range of solo and group exhibitions, artists\xe2\x80\x99 projects and editions, public art projects and external touring shows. Also work in close partnership with colleagues to develop and contribute to programs such as lectures, talks, portfolio nights, gallery presentations, digital and virtual programming, and in-gallery interpretation programs.
• Prepare content-based presentations about the exhibitions and share them with the internal teams.
• Liaise with artists, guest curators, institutions (circulating exhibitions), lenders, editors, translators, designers, and senior staff team as necessary for the production of specific exhibitions including coordinating travel, hotel and hospitality arrangements.
• Coordinate schedule for installation/de-installation of exhibitions, lead in the composition of gallery didactic materials, generate wall labels, and provide information about exhibitions both internally and externally.
• Manage the financial and administrative processes for the Curatorial team, lead report writing, maintain exhibition schedules and documentation files, and related correspondence.
• Develop and sustain key stakeholder relationships including donors, sponsors and collaborators.
• Contribute to artistic direction of annual fundraising events.
• Supervise guest curators and project support staff.
• Lead the production of all exhibition texts including publications, online content, and media.
• Conduct research and contribute to catalogues and other publications. Develop and administer artist editions.
• Contribute to grant applications to government agencies, foundations and private sources.
• In partnership with colleagues in Development, identify and steward relationships with contemporary art collectors, gallerists, and other relevant stakeholders and assist in developing events for patrons and sponsors.
• Oversee and update exhibition budgets with curatorial staff.
• Interview and manage potential interns and curatorial fellows.
• Perform special projects and other duties of a similar nature or level as assigned by the Head of Curatorial Affairs.

Requirements

• Job knowledge and skills commensurate with a postgraduate degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Visual Arts or a related discipline and a minimum of ten (10) years of experience coordinating exhibitions, artists\xe2\x80\x99 projects and publications in a museum or public gallery.
• Strong and current knowledge of local, national and international contexts for contemporary art and art interpretation.
• Excellent emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills that foster positive working relationships with artists, curatorial colleagues, scholars, collectors, donors, the art market, staff and audiences.
• Excellent communication skills, including public speaking abilities, written and strong editorial skills with a proven record of writing for audiences ranging from the general public to specialized groups.
• Solid organizational skills and time management skills to successfully manage multiple priorities.
• Creativity and imagination.
• A strong sense of initiative and the capacity to show good judgment within the context of institutional parameters, maintaining the highest ethics as they relate to all aspects of curatorial endeavours, and maintaining highest level of confidentiality of information as required.
• Proven computer literacy with sound knowledge of Microsoft Windows, Autocad, Sketchup or other 3D modelling software. Familiarity with current publishing, design and presentation software programs.
• An understanding of, and commitment to the institution\xe2\x80\x99s mandate, mission, and current vision.
• Knowledge of French is a definite asset, as well as knowledge of another language.
• This role is based in Toronto and requires on-site work.
• Must be legally eligible to work in Canada. All international applicants must have a valid employment Visa authorizing their ability to work in Canada on a full-time, ongoing basis. We are unable to sponsor employment visas.
• The Power Plant recognizes its heightened duty to protect employees from health and safety risks during the current pandemic. As such, an offer of employment shall be conditional on proof of full COVID-19 vaccination with a vaccine series approved by Health Canada or the World Health Organization.

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Our Values

Open
We\xe2\x80\x99re friendly, welcoming and inclusive, with an experimental attitude that thrives on collaboration. Brave
To achieve our bold ambition we empower and support imaginative risk and we always try to learn from our mistakes. Rigorous
We are committed to excellence in all we do, ensuring every visitor encounter is safe, memorable and enriching. Kind
We value and respect each other and all our visitors, celebrating difference and striving to realise potential.

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The Power Plant is committed to diversity and inclusiveness. We encourage qualified applicants of all backgrounds to apply. Acceptable applications must include a current resume and a cover letter addressed to Adelina Vlas, Head of Curatorial Affairs, indicating why you wish to join the team, how you would meet the essential criteria for this key position, and your salary expectations. To apply, please submit your application to jobs@harbourfrontcentre.com by no later than April 28, 2023. Please quote TPP Curator of Exhibitions in the subject line of your application. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted. Suitable accommodations will be available upon request during the hiring process.