Job Description

Application Deadline: January 23, 2023 or until the position is filled
Start Date: February 13
Annual Salary: $60,000-68,000, plus a comprehensive benefits package
Term: Full-time, permanent

The Gardiner Museum brings together people of all ages and communities through the shared values of creativity, wonder, and community that clay and ceramic traditions inspire.

We engage audiences with exhibitions, programs, and hands-on classes, while stewarding a significant permanent collection. We interpret historical ceramics to emphasize their relevance today, and champion emerging and established Canadian artists and their role in the broader world. We innovate through clay education, as we bring together the experience of making with a deeper understanding of the art of ceramics.

We believe in making, looking, and thinking through clay.

The Gardiner Museum has a collection of over 4,000 objects from the Ancient Americas, Europe, Japan and China, as well as contemporary works with an emphasis on leading Canadian artists. The Gardiner Museum is among the few museums in the world focused on ceramics and is one of the world\xe2\x80\x99s most notable specialty museums.

The Curatorial Installations Manager is a member of the Gardiner Museum\xe2\x80\x99s Curatorial department. The Curatorial Installations Manager contributes to the realization of the Museum\xe2\x80\x99s exhibitions program and gallery displays through the planning, production, and execution of installations. The position is also responsible for the care of the collection on public view and for the maintenance of the permanent galleries. The Curatorial Installations Manager may be called upon to contribute to special projects as relates to Curatorial and other departments. This position reports to the Senior Curator.

DUTIES
Responsible for the development, management, co-ordination, production and execution of installations established by the Museum (70%)

• Develops installation plans in collaboration with the Exhibition Manager, Curators, Executive Director, external designers, and other museum staff
• Prepares and manages installation budgets, in coordination with the Exhibitions Manager, liaising with external designers and curators when necessary
• Contracts and schedules external labour, services, and supplies for production and installations
• Maintains proactive schedule of installation plans
• Consults and liaises with other museum staff regarding timelines, security, priorities, activities, and events
• Works with in-house and contracted curators on the design and layout of temporary exhibitions and other displays when external designers are not involved, including developing floor plans and installations
• Works with contracted designers to develop, envision, and implement exhibition designs
• Develops renderings, layouts and models for various projects
• Supervises contracted external labour and services
• Organizes gallery furniture, fixtures, equipment and supplies on and off site
• Orders, designs and/or fabricates display furniture and hardware
• Assists with packing, unpacking, lifting, and crating of artworks in the context of exhibition installations and de-installations, touring exhibition preparation, or the preparation of outgoing loans
• Oversees the production and installation of didactic panels and labels; installs AV materials when needed, or liaises with contract specialist
• Oversees gallery lighting for installations, including contracting lighting specialists when required
• Alongside Exhibitions Manager, liaise with external venues for installation needs related to touring projects

Responsible for the care of the collection on display and other resources (30%)

• Responsible, with the Collections Manager, for the cleaning of display cases, inside and out, in permanent galleries and special exhibitions, as well as the dusting and care of artefacts
• Ensures safe handling of artefacts, including moving objects, installation or de-installation
• Responsible for gallery lighting within the display cases, including maintenance of fixtures
• Responsible for the production and installation of didactic panels, labels and information panels within the galleries and elsewhere when requested; assists with the installation of AV equipment
• Manages and improves resources (off-site, workshop, storage, hardware, paint, and equipment)
• Identifies and reports any natural or human threats to the collection to the Collections Manager; advises curators of deterioration to labels, panels etc.
• Upgrades museum display standards with respect to technologies, efficiencies, accessibility, security, and aesthetics
• Advises on the design, execution, and installation of special projects including public artworks, seasonal programming, and event programming as relates to Curatorial and other departments.

Requirements: REQUIREMENTS & SKILLS
General Skills

• Project management and organization: breaking down single day to multi-month installations into appropriate stages, finding suitable tradespersons and technologies as necessary
• Spatial thinking and conceptualization: visualizing solutions to 3D installations, fitting and displaying with safe, secure and appropriate methods
• Timeline logistics: managing timing of all steps of installation process for efficiency and cost-effectiveness, while coordinating with other staff members and contractors
• Design and aesthetic sensibilities: developing attractive solutions for displays, integrating security and structural needs with display aesthetics.
• Safety conscious: aware of engineering and human constraints with materials, handling, and crew movements

Technical or mechanical skills

• Must be able to correctly handle, install, crate, and move art
• Must hold valid driver\xe2\x80\x99s license and be comfortable driving large trucks and vans
• Must possess technical knowledge and experience of fabrication and construction, such as advanced wood working, some welding, and high craft hand-work
• Must be experienced in painting, finishing, and surfacing Must be familiar with workplace safety standards
• Must be knowledgeable about museum standards
• Working knowledge of design software, such as SketchUp and Adobe Illustrator
• Ability to design lighting and maintain upkeep of lighting
• Familiar with audio visual installations
• Must be able to trouble shoot object presentation and mount making

Interpersonal/People Management skills

• Team skills: able to work and interact with museum staff, curators, designers, trades, and preparators
• Managing contract staff in a fast-paced job site around fragile/valuable objects
• Cultivating generative working relationships with designers, artists, community partners, and other outside collaborators

Business Skills

• Managing budgets and timely submission of contractors\xe2\x80\x99 invoices for payment
• Computer skills: Excel, cost tracking
• Inventory management of resources and materials
• Fielding quotes, familiarity with material and labour costs

Oversight (budget and contract staff)

• Management of installation portion of Exhibition Budgets
• Supervises installation crews of one to six individuals, occasional installation staff, and interns

Experience/Bona fide education licenses or degrees required

• Bachelor of Arts or Fine Arts, or equivalent experience in galleries/museums
• 2-5 years of experience leading and managing crews of one to six, maintaining strict timelines, expediency, and safety

Working conditions

• The position requires comfort and ability lifting objects in excess of 55 lbs on a regular basis
• Ability/certification to operate skyjack, hoists, power tools, hazardous machinery, and ladders
• Ability to operate car/truck

Additional Info: Special conditions of employment

• Expectation of some evenings and weekends particularly around installation times

The Gardiner Museum regularly updates our COVID-19 protocols and health measures in accordance with the Province in an effort to protect the health of both visitors and staff.

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