Job Description

are the imagined participants of art? How can curatorial and exhibition practices support a culture of inclusion and interrogation of material and ecological sustainability?

OCAD Us vision is that everyone in the community can participate in all our learning & teaching experiences, facilities & spaces, events and professional opportunities. We do not live up to this ideal yet, because there are structural, technological, systemic and cultural barriers that exclude people with disabilities from making their best contribution to OCAD U.

We understand inclusion of staff, instructors and students with disabilities as a matter of human rights and that OCAD U should be structured and designed for inclusiveness, rather than assuming that accessibility is just a matter of special modifications that leave our underlying patterns, spaces, systems and culture unchanged. We recognize that inclusive classrooms and studios support deeper learning, greater learner engagement, richer research, and more powerful artistic expression.

The Graduate Research Assistant, with faculty support by Criticism & Curatorial Practices Graduate Program Director Suzanne Morrisette, will work with the Office of Diversity, Equity & Sustainability Initiatives (ODESI) by assisting with research, writing, and curation to identify, develop, and recommend standards for inclusive design, accessible and sustainable exhibition design that will then be compiled into a guidebook for OCAD U exhibitors. This research may also connect, consult, and collaborate with the existing Galleries system within OCAD U. The guidebook would include recommendations such as for planning processes, spatial practices, and material choices that incorporate the .

Project team:

The Graduate Research Assistant will be supported by:

Suzanne Morrisette, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Arts & Science, School of Graduate Studies;
Cathy Cappon, Manager, Office of Diversity, Equity & Sustainability Initiatives (ODESI); and
Victoria Ho, Advisor, Strategic Sustainability, Office of Diversity, Equity & Sustainability Initiatives (ODESI).

Responsibilities:

• Working under the supervision of the Principal Investigators, in support of the projects research goals and objectives
• Assisting with data collection, literature searches, data compilation, processing, entry and analysis
• Identifying existing exhibition accessible and inclusive design guidelines (e.g. The Smithsonian, Tangled Art + Disability, Humber College, Registered Graphic Designers).
• Identifying existing exhibition sustainability guidelines (e.g. Western Universitys Centre for Sustainable Curating) and material options relevant to the OCAD U context.
• Developing recommendations for improving inclusion and sustainability within exhibition spaces
• Creating a digital asset/guidebook describing the recommendations and practical steps for artists/exhibitors/ curators.
• Possibility of curating an exhibition in the ODESI gallery space that manifests the recommendations and invites critical reflection on the role of art & design in advancing accessibility, inclusive design and sustainability.
• Participating in the provision of safe and secure environment for all members of the University community and its facilities

Qualifications:

• Completion of a relevant graduate degree or current enrollment in a relevant graduate program (e.g. MFA in Criticism & Curatorial Practice).
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of equity and diversity and experience promoting a respectful work and learning environment for students, staff and faculty.
• Curatorial and Exhibition Design experience - as a student or exhibition curator.
• Research skills and experience in gathering, synthesizing, and analyzing information from various sources.
• Experience in working collaboratively with team members and external partners.

Compensation: $33.78 (Graduate Rate) per hour, subject to qualifications, plus 6% in lieu of benefits plus vacation pay, as applicable, per the provisions of the Employment Standards Act

Hours of work: 7 hours per week over a 35-week period between August 2023 and May 2024.

Work environment: Combination of in-person meetings at OCAD U and remote work (negotiable).

Please review the for all up-to-date information regarding COVID-19 protocols.

OCAD Universitys vaccine mandate will be in abeyance until further notice. However, to ensure continuity of teaching, learning and campus activities throughout the year, the University expects all students, staff and faculty to maintain up-to-date vaccination records.

Application process: Applications should include: A one-page covering letter explaining the candidates interest (no more than 200 words), a curriculum vitae, and contact information for two (2) referees.

The review of applications will begin in August 2023 and will continue until the position has been filled. Short-listed applicants will be invited to an interview via Teams.

Interested applicants are invited to submit their application online in confidence addressed to Victoria Ho, Advisor, Strategic Sustainability, Office of Diversity, Equity & Sustainability Initiatives (ODESI) by clicking the Apply Now button below.

IMPORTANT: Before completing your application, please double-check your attachments to ensure they align with the position you are applying for and the files are named following the standard naming convention: FirstInitial_LastName-Job Code-Document Type . Incomplete applications may not be considered.

More information on submitting applications on OCAD Us online applicant system can be found on the

If you require further support, please contact the

As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.

We encourage members of designated equity-seeking groups to self-identify within the voluntary Applicant Questionnaire .

OCAD U is committed to providing an inclusive and barrier free experience to applicants with accessibility needs. Requests for accommodation can be made at any stage during the recruitment process. Please People & Culture for more information or refer to .

All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.

OCAD University