Curatorial Fellow, Gibson Art Museum

Position: Curatorial Fellow
Company: Gibson Art Museum
Employment Duration: Temporary, Full Time
Location: Burnaby, BC, Canada
Closing Date: September 25, 2026
Apply Online

About the Role:

During their three-year tenure, the Curatorial Fellow develops and realizes a suite of exhibitions, public programs and other curatorial projects at the Gibson Art Museum. The role contributes to the Gibson’s research-focused artistic program through the development of major exhibition projects and/or special projects along with supporting a series of smaller curatorial projects involving the SFU Art Collection.

The Curatorial Fellow activates the Gibson’s vision of becoming an incubator for dynamic, cross-disciplinary curatorial research with a potential focus on British Columbian art practices and their global resonance, taking into account the rich interdisciplinary opportunities that spring from the University context. Working collaboratively with the Gibson’s internal team, particularly the Director, Exhibitions Manager, Collections Manager and Head Preparator, as well as relevant internal SFU and external partners, the role works to realize all phases of exhibition production, including concept development, installation and evaluation, while supporting the Gibson’s commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, experimentation and community engagement.

The ideal candidate for the Curatorial Fellow is an early- or mid-career curator with a demonstrated research- and curiosity-driven practice, an understanding of real-world constraints, and ambition to realize curatorial projects within our university context. Core competencies include a demonstrated ethic of welcoming and inclusivity, active listening with clear communications, and a strong collaborator with a focus on positive relationship building.

Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Develops and realizes exhibitions and special projects by:

• Conducting curatorial research on artists, artworks and thematic frameworks, including studio visits and direct engagement with artists to develop and pitch exhibition concepts.
• Collaborating with the Exhibitions Manager to develop and maintain exhibition budgets and timelines.
• Drafting and editing exhibition texts, didactics and related support materials for review.
• Facilitating exhibition installation and deinstallation processes.

2. Contributes to the Gibson’s public programming and outreach by:

• Contributing to the planning and delivery of talks, tours, screenings, performances and other programs.
• Collaborating with the Gibson’s Learning team to develop K-12, kids, teens and family programs.
• Supporting the development of interpretive strategies that enhance accessibility and audience engagement.

3. Provides administrative and project coordination support by:

• Maintaining project timelines, budgets and documentation.
• Supporting curatorial project fundraising by contributing to grant applications and reporting and developing project proposals for individual and corporate support.
• Contributing to effective internal workflows across curatorial, communications and operations teams.
• May supervise curatorial interns and graduate practicum students, as appropriate.

4. Advances the mission and values of the Gibson Art Museum by:

• Contributing to an inclusive and welcoming environment for all artists, audiences, collaborators and staff.
• Engaging with critical, experimental and sustainable approaches to contemporary exhibition-making.
• Participating in institutional research initiatives and the development of strategic priorities, where appropriate.

Qualifications:

Master’s degree in Art History, Curatorial Studies, or a related field and 2 years of related curatorial experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary art and curatorial practice.
• Strong experience supporting exhibitions and/or public programs in a gallery or museum context.
• Exceptional research, writing and editorial skills for a museum or gallery context.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to work compassionately and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain project budgets and timelines.
• Occasional evening and weekend work required in support of exhibitions and public programs.
• Ability to participate in exhibition installation as required, including light physical tasks.

Salary: $69,102 to $82,420 annually

How to Apply: Apply through the online portal.

Deadline: September 25, 2026

Gibson Art Museum
SFU Burnaby Campus
8888 University Drive
Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6
778-782-4266
thegibson@sfu.ca
gibson.sfu.ca