Senior Curator, Cambridge Art Galleries

Senior Curator

Full-Time, Permanent
Posting #25-20

Cambridge Art Galleries operates within a public library setting which contributes significantly to high attendance and results in many community-based collaborative projects and events. The gallery has the unique opportunity of engaging with many families, youth, Canadian newcomers, seniors, and the broader community on a daily basis. Cambridge Art Galleries’ mandate is to serve our regional and broader communities through the delivery of contemporary art programs which foster critical cultural dialogue. Our artistic activities engage, embrace, and empower people of all ages and abilities from diverse ethnic, social, and cultural backgrounds. We promote and support emerging and professional artists and advocate for the advancement of the creative sector.

Under the direction of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Senior Curator is responsible for leading the Cambridge Art Galleries team to provide for the effective delivery of all gallery related activities. The Senior Curator acts as Cambridge Public Library’s (CPL) principal curator for exhibitions and coordinates all other gallery-related activities which include: overseeing the care and maintenance of the gallery’s permanent collection of contemporary Canadian fibre art; supporting gallery day-to-day operations and providing guidance and direction to Gallery staff to meet established goals and service standards.

What You’ll Do

Responsibility for program/service delivery (internal/external), coordination of staff

With support from the CEO or other Senior Leaders, directs the delivery of all gallery-related services. Provides key support for Gallery staff, exhibitions and related programs.
Participates as required in meetings with individuals, groups, outside agencies and institutional partners to promote the gallery, undertakes joint activities and address inter-agency/institutional problems to ensure the delivery of regular gallery services and special programs.
Responsible for addressing inappropriate or disruptive behaviour of members according to the established procedures; seeks resolution of complaints/issues from members that have escalated beyond the service point level.
Oversees the care, documentation, exhibition, and conservation of the permanent collection.
◦ Maintains all documentation pertaining to the permanent collection, including accessioning/deaccessioning and cataloguing.
◦ Provides recommendations to the CEO on matters related to negotiating copyright, reproduction rights, and exhibition rights with artists and works represented in the permanent collection and external reproduction requests.
◦ In consultation with the CEO, coordinates the loan of collection artworks to other museums/galleries, institutions, or traveling exhibitions.
◦ Works with the Exhibition Coordinator to maintain the permanent collection. Makes recommendations on conservation needs and coordinates with conservators in consultation with the CEO.
Responsible for recommending, proposing, and negotiating the purchase of art objects for the permanent collection to the CEO.
Develop and curate public art projects at CPL.

Project management (planning, producing, implementation, monitoring, reporting)

Ensures Gallery website and exhibition and event listings in Communico are maintained; this includes entering and updating data and images for exhibitions, events, and other gallery activities; works with the marketing team to prepare promotional materials on exhibitions and related programming.
Conceptualizes, researches, develops, and implements the exhibition program at CPL. Selects exhibitions and projects; designs and prepares the overall installation and deinstallation plan for select exhibitions and works with the Exhibition Coordinator to implement them. Assists with exhibition installation when required.
In consultation with the CEO, plans production and development of exhibitions and projects; drafts and secures exhibition contracts/loan agreements with artists, lending institutions or individuals within the allotted budget.

Business planning, develop policies and enterprise management

Develops exhibition/ project and program budgets in consultation with CEO or other Senior Leaders within established annual exhibition and program budgets. Monitors budget expenses.
Establishes arts education priorities and annual plan, and directs staff to execute key deliverables.
Under the direction of the CEO or other Senior Leaders, prepares policies, annual operating budgets and project grant applications and reports, including drafting written content about exhibitions and related programming, gathering statistical information, coordinating charts and reports, and compiling support materials.

Requirement to adapt, modify, procedures, programs or inform policy development

With support from the CEO or other Senior Leaders, supports development and implementation of policies and long-range plans.
Supports the CEO in their responsibilities for overall library and gallery service.

Staff management (including supervision, employee development for direct reports)

Oversees co-op students by coordinating schedules, prepares tasks, managing outcomes.
Provides day-to-day guidance, establishes and approves staff schedules, and supervises gallery staff. With support from Human Resources, selects, trains, schedules staff, and addresses performance management or employee/ labour relations matters.

Other duties as required including, but not limited to:

Responsible for and performs various administrative tasks including monitoring of office supplies, ordering materials.
Prepares insurance information for submission by the Exhibition Coordinator to the insurer for select exhibitions/projects.
Researches and writes original content and interpretive material to engage the public with exhibitions and the permanent collection; coordinates the production of this material with graphic designers, printers and other contributors, both internally and externally.

What You Bring

To be qualified for and successful in the role, you should have:

Required – Holds a post-graduate diploma such as Master of Curatorial Studies or another equivalent degree.
Required – Six (6) years’ experience in administration and curation in an art gallery
Required – Three (3) years’ experience with budgeting, funding requirements and granting agencies
Required – Three (3) years’ experience with Collection management systems and graphic design software
Required – Demonstrated knowledge of Canadian and contemporary art, exhibition procedures and collections management
Required – Demonstrated knowledge of proper handling of artworks
Required – Demonstrated advanced proficiency with task-specific software (Microsoft 365/Office and virtual meeting software)
Required – Valid Driver’s license and access to vehicle
Preferred – Demonstrated knowledge of handling fibre art
Excellent verbal and written communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
Superior organization and time management skills to address competing priorities
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple deadlines and remain calm under pressure
Demonstrated ability to collaborate professionally with internal and external partners
An inclusive and empathetic approach with a service-oriented mindset
A passion for supporting the diverse interests and needs of the Cambridge community

Why Cambridge Public Library (CPL)?

Working at Cambridge Public Library offers you the opportunity to be part of an organization that is welcoming, collaborative, and passionate about the community.

By joining our team, you’ll become part of a passionate group of professionals dedicated to enriching lives and inspiring lifelong learning.

Competitive Benefits Package: Your well-being is important to us. We offer health, dental, and vision care.
Retirement Savings: Membership in OMERS, one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans, can help provide a secure and stable income in retirement. Which you’ll be eligible on the first day.
Paid Sick Time: We offer competitive paid sick time as we value your wellbeing.
Professional Development: We support your growth and offer opportunities for professional development and training.
Free Onsite Parking: Parking shouldn’t be a hassle. That’s why we offer free onsite parking for employees.
Positive Work-Life Balance: We strive to maintain a positive work-life balance, ensuring that you have the time and energy to enjoy life outside of work.

Salary: $82,140 – $106,483 per annum

Hours: This is a full-time position, 70 hours in a bi-weekly period

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday day shift. You may be required to work additional hours or to adjust your schedule to fulfil your responsibilities related to events occurring outside of the regular work week.

How to Apply

To be considered for the position, applications must be received by 4:00 pm ET on July 25, 2025.

Tell us why we should consider you for this position! Please provide both a cover letter and resume, combined as a single PDF document.
Submit your application by email to recruitment@ideaexchange.org
When applying by email, please quote “25-20 Senior Curator” in your email subject line

The anticipated start date for this position is September 2025.

The position is open to internal and external candidates. We thank everyone for their interest, however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Additional Information

Cambridge Public Library aspires to employ a staff complement that fully represents the diversity of the community we serve. All qualified individuals who would contribute to the further diversification of our organization are encouraged to apply.

Cambridge Public Library is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to accommodating individual needs in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you need any accommodations during the hiring process, please contact Human Resources at hr@ideaexchange.org.

For more information about us, please visit our website at ideaexchange.org.

A Police Criminal and Judicial Matters Check will be required and satisfactory to CPL.