Carol and Morton Rapp Curator, Contemporary Art, Art Gallery of Ontario

Carol and Morton Rapp Curator, Contemporary Art

Regular Full Time Permanent (35 hours per week)
Toronto, ON
ART + AUDIENCE + LEARNING

Posted on May 10, 2023

The Art Gallery of Ontario (“the AGO”) is one of the largest art museums in North America, with a collection of close to 100,000 works. Through the collection as well as collaborations with leading museums around the world, the AGO presents wide-ranging exhibitions and programs to approximately 1 million visitors annually.

The Carol and Morton Rapp Curator, Contemporary Art will have an important leadership role in the AGO’s recently announced expansion project, the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery. This addition will expand the AGO’s gallery space by 40,000 square feet, with at least 13 new galleries across five floors, increasing the total space available to display our growing collection of modern and contemporary art by 30 percent. The new galleries will be highly functional and very flexible; dynamic enough to display the works of today’s great modern and contemporary artists, and adaptable to the needs of future generations of artists working across all media. We are seeking an experienced, inspired, visionary and collaborative professional who is excited to take on this role and is fully committed to making great modern and contemporary art accessible to the public.

Under the direction of the Deputy Director & Chief Curator, the successful candidate will lead and direct the activities of the contemporary curatorial department, including exhibition development, programming and collection building to contribute to the achievement of AGO’s strategic goals as a leading presenter of the art of our time. Inspiring, engaging, training, developing and holding their team accountable for their work performance and delivery on Curatorial goals aligned to the AGO’s vision, mission and values.

He/She/They will plan, build, and present the permanent collection of contemporary art; creating, organizing, and executing major exhibitions; interpreting works of art in meaningful, relevant ways for the AGO’s audiences. The incumbent identifies and researches significant tendencies, issues and opportunities in the visual arts and fosters public understanding of art as a vital social and cultural force. Partnering with colleagues and teams across the AGO, to achieve shared and measurable objectives and goals in a collaborative, inclusive, accountable way. He/She/They will direct a team of curatorial employees in their development and execution of innovative, substantive, relevant projects, and functions.

The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications, skills, and experience:

• Minimum of 10 years of related museum experience in exhibition research and development and/or collection development
• Minimum of 2 years of demonstrated experience in cultivating sustainable, relevant donor and stakeholder relationships aligned to the overall direction of a museum(s)
• Demonstrated a minimum of 2 years of ability to lead and inspire a team, as well as hold them accountable to deliver exceptional results with available resources and budget
• Master’s degree or Ph.D. in contemporary art history or similar subject matter
• Demonstrated advanced knowledge of art history including expertise in a specialized area(s) of contemporary art
• Proven track record in partnering with others across a museum(s) to establish a long term, comprehensive vision for Contemporary Art
• Flexibility to varying work schedule and significant travel is required, occasionally in excess of 20 days per annum
• Superior expertise in English language proficiency

Language of Work

• English

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual base salary range of CDN $96,405 – $ 120,520 per annum based on qualifications, skills, and experience (opportunity for salary)
• Extended Health Plan
• Drug/Prescription Plan
• Dental Benefits, Vision Care Benefits
• Disability and Life Insurance Benefits
• Individual Retirement Savings Plan (RSP)
• Tax Free Savings Account (TFSA)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance (AD&D)
• Spousal Life Insurance (AD&D)
• Child/Dependent Life Insurance (AD&D)
• Pension Plan (Defined Contribution, non-contributory)
• Home & Auto Insurance Plan
• Business Travel Accident Insurance
• Paid vacation days
• Relocation allowance to be considered.
• Discounts from the Provincial/City Reciprocal Agreements (Free admission to museums, the CN Tower & discounts off amusement parks, city attractions, hotels, wine tours, Second City, the Ontario Science Centre, and much more!)
• Discounts to Goodlife Fitness
• Employee Discounts & Free tickets to every major exhibit at AGO
• Professional Membership Fee Reimbursement

If this sounds like an opportunity you are looking for, apply now!

Application Deadline: Until filled

We invite individuals who reflect the diversity of our visitors to apply by submitting a tailored cover letter and CV via our website. If you would prefer to submit your application in person, please leave it with our Shipping Dock addressed to the People Division which is located next to our Jackman Hall entrance on McCaul street. The hours are you able to drop off your application are 8:30AM until 4:00PM Monday-Friday.

We thank all applicants but must advise that only those selected for interviews will be contacted. In accordance with the Ontario Human Rights, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act & the AGO’s Recruitment & Selection Policy for Staff, a request for accommodation will be considered throughout the hiring process.

The Art Gallery of Ontario is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Art Gallery of Ontario
317 Dundas Street West
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5T 1G4

Contact: Tivona.Ko@ago.ca