Curator of Learning and Community Engagement, Gibson Art Museum

Simon Fraser University

Photo: Juli Talerico, Courtesy SFU Galleries.

Curator of Learning & Community Engagement, Marianne and Edward Gibson Art Museum, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby

Application Deadline: July 25, 2025

The Curator of Learning & Community Engagement is responsible for leading the development and delivery of dynamic, interdisciplinary learning programs that foster inclusive, meaningful, and lasting connections between the Marianne and Edward Gibson Art Museum’s artistic offerings and its diverse audiences. Reporting to the Director of the Marianne and Edward Gibson Art Museum, this role provides vision and pedagogical leadership to engage children, youth, families, university students, seniors, and both new and returning visitors. By building community partnerships and embedding educational experiences throughout the Museum’s activities, the Curator ensures that learning and engagement are central to the Gibson’s mission and public impact.

Core competencies for this position include: effective and clear communication (including actively listening, accurately reading non-verbal communication and successfully conveying information, thoughts and ideas with impact and influence); respectful and inclusive (contributing to a welcoming and inclusive university by valuing diversity and being open, compassionate and respectful); build relationships and work together (intentional about building and maintaining strong, positive and effective relationships, teams, collaborations and partnerships; supporting each other, share knowledge and resolve conflict collaboratively); creativity (seeking and implementing new and creative solutions to overcome problems, drive change and improve performance and results; exploring new ideas, think creatively about issues and opportunities); see the big picture (understanding how we each contribute to achieving the broader vision and goals).

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Ensures the successful development and oversight of all Learning programs by:

Coordinating the development, delivery, and facilitation of weekend family, teen, K-12 and all other ongoing and special initiative public programs, including summer and after-school camps.
Overseeing the recruitment, training, and supervision of Learning Coordinators, artist-instructors, Learning interns, graduate practicum students and volunteers; with particular focus on the Gibson’s pedagogical role to mentor, support, and train university students in Learning support roles and graduate study research.
Seeking out and establishing relationships with SFU academic units, particularly faculty researchers and administrators to support the building of a dynamic interdisciplinary Learning program.
Developing Learning Resources to be used across all of the Gibson’s platforms.
Managing the scheduling, calendars, materials and workspaces used for all Learning activity in coordination with other Gibson staff.
Supporting exhibition curators by assisting with the development and coordination of exhibition-related talks and other events.

2. Ensures the successful administration of all Learning programs by:

Leading the Gibson’s Learning policy development and planning.
Developing and managing the overall Learning programs budget and monitoring project-specific budgets.
Overseeing the registration of all Learning programs (except in cases where SFU Camps manages enrollment).
Gathering, evaluating and sharing statistical data (for departmental and university Advancement purposes) on all Learning activities as required.
Supporting fundraising for Learning programs by contributing to stewardship, individual donor, foundation and corporate sponsorship proposals and impact reports, and leading or supporting on public arts council grants as requested by the Director.
Working with the Director to plan staffing levels and prepare job descriptions for all contract. artist-instructors within the Learning department.
Maintaining strong internal university and external community program partnerships (i.e. with SFU Libraries; SFU Camps).

3. Ensures Learning program goals are closely aligned with the Gibson’s overall artistic program and strategic direction by:

Working closely with curatorial team to learn direction and focus of upcoming exhibitions, publications, commissions and special projects, to aid in the development of Learning programs.
Preparing reports and briefs on Learning Programs for Gibson’s Director, Exhibitions Manager, Collections Manager and Communications & Access Manager as required.

4. Encourages the development of new audience communities and the engagement of existing ones by:

Working with the Gibson’s Communications & Access Manager to develop descriptions and marketing collateral the encourages participation in events, programs and Learning offerings.
Tracking and sharing data with Gibson Director and Communications & Access Manager to inform Learning programs’ success and plan areas for development.
Building alliances with educators, administrators, and other museum, gallery and education stakeholders.
Managing the Gibson’s participation in outreach activities at selected local festivals and events.
Supporting other Gibson initiatives as required.

Impact of Decision Making
The Curator of Learning & Community Engagement makes decisions regarding:

Purchasing Learning-related materials to support artists’ workshops and other public program needs (following best practices and via established experience).
Budgeting within projects and between projects (following critical path to ensure best practices and planning experience).
Deciding on vendor selection to ensure timely delivery of materials.
Event coordination needs (including staffing levels, catering, and logistics) to ensure smooth execution in accordance with established event briefs and call sheets.

Problem Solving and Level of Supervision
The Curator of Learning & Community Engagement solve problems related to:

Budgetary constraints—manages program deliverables so they align with the realization capacity of the department; works independently and with Director’s support to find solutions and propose alternatives.
Production timeline disruptions—utilizes experience and best practices to propose solutions, liaising with Director, Exhibitions Manager, and Visitor Experience Manager and researching alternatives as necessary.
Problems are most often known and navigable; when unknown, the Curator of Learning & Community Engagement can seek support from Director and other Gibson teammates, as well as from their established network of art community colleagues.

Skills and Experience:

Bachelor’s degree in Visual Art, Art Education, Art History, Curatorial Practice or related discipline, and at least five years’ experience in museums and/or galleries demonstrating progressively responsible experience and success in learning and education, public programming, or community engagement, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Excellent knowledge of regional, national and international critical contemporary art practices.
Knowledge of learning theory and familiarity with the BC curriculum in a variety of subjects from K-12.
Strong pedagogical understanding of art education and community engagement strategies.
Experience designing and facilitating workshops, family programs, talks, camps, and community events.
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Effective planning, supervising, and problem-solving skills, the ability to manage multiple projects and competing deadlines, and to complete tasks efficiently and to a high standard.
Strong organizational and administrative skills.
Budget planning and financial management skills.
Proficiency in digital tools and software, including Microsoft Office and Adobe Creative Suite, to support program development, communication, and resource creation.
Ability to work evenings and weekends according to the demands of the position and to travel occasionally.
A valid BC driver’s license and criminal record check are required.

Compensation:

$74,288 to $88,609 annually plus benefits

Equity and Access:

Simon Fraser University respectfully acknowledges the xʷməθkʷəy̓ əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish), səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), q̓ íc̓ əy̓ (Katzie), kʷikʷəƛ ̓ əm (Kwikwetlem), Qayqayt, Kwantlen, Semiahmoo and Tsawwassen peoples on whose unceded traditional territories our three campuses reside.
Simon Fraser University is committed to the principle of Employment Equity.

How to Apply:

For more information and to apply, visit the SFU job portal. Applications should be submitted electronically, addressed to the attention of Kimberly Phillips.

Application Deadline: July 25, 2025

For additional information or questions, please contact:
Russell Gordon, russell_gordon@sfu.ca