Public Programs & Exhibitions Assistant
Job Information
The Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery at the University of British Columbia has a temporary student employment opportunity for a Public Programs & Exhibitions Assistant from May 16 to September 2, 2011. The position is 35 hours per week.
The Belkin Art Gallery is mandated to research, exhibit, collect, publish, educate, and develop programs in the field of contemporary art and in contemporary approaches to the practice of art history and criticism. Our objective is to demonstrate that the practice of contemporary art is itself a form of research that produces knowledge. The Belkin manages the University’s growing art collection of over 3,000 objects – the third largest public collection of art in the province.
The position objectives are to assist the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery in researching exhibitions and to assist with the planning and delivery of public programs. The Public Programs & Exhibitions Assistant will assist with: researching and compiling articles/biographical information on artists; preparations and publicity for exhibitions, artist talks and special events; coordinating elements of the volunteer program; leading public/school tours of the gallery, exhibitions, and the outdoor art collection; researching and drafting information for press releases, educational materials, and website; providing information to the public and responding to media and research requests; and assists with monitoring the gallery and front desk during public hours. Other projects may include assisting with the coordination of a curatorial lecture series, the gallery's outreach exhibition program in the Koerner Library, or other special project to be confirmed.
Required: Graduate level student enrolled in Art History, Fine Arts, or curatorial/museum studies programs. Classes and knowledge in Canadian art history and Contemporary art history are essential. Advanced research skills. Comfort and proven experience speaking to diverse audiences, small and large groups. Excellent oral and written communication skills. Experience using PC and/or Mac computers, MS Office, email, and internet. Ability to work with limited supervision, adapt to a variety of work scenarios, exercise initiative and judgment, meet deadlines, and work under pressure. Comfortable using and/or learning new equipment including scanners and digital cameras.
Preferred: Experience working in an art gallery and handling artworks. Experience giving public tours in an art gallery or museum setting. Desktop publishing and web skills (HTML) an asset.
Cover letter and application should be emailed to the attention of:
Naomi Sawada, Public Programs/Publicity Coordinator
Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery
The University of British Columbia
1825 Main Mall
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2
Email: naomi.sawada@ubc.ca
The Public Programs & Exhibitions Assistant position is dependent on funding from the Canadian Heritage Young Canada Works program. Please note that in accordance with program eligibility criteria, applicants must be 30 years of age or younger at the start of employment, legally entitled to work in Canada and be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have been granted refugee status in Canada. The Belkin Art Gallery is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified and eligible individuals to apply.
Wage: $16.41/hour.
