Director, Curatorial & Collections [McMichael Canadian Art Collection]

Apply by  by November 17, 2014

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection ranks among Canada’s top public galleries in size and significance. The McMichael collection includes over 6,000 works of art by Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven, their contemporaries, and First Nations, Métis, Inuit and other historical and contemporary artists who have made or are making a contribution to Canada’s artistic heritage. The gallery welcomes on average more than 110,000 regional, national and international visitors annually.

The four floors of gallery, exhibition, studio, and program space, as well as library and archives and conservation laboratory, are surrounded by 100 acres of conservation land, including outdoor sculpture installations. The McMichael documents art in Canada in its permanent exhibitions. To remain vital and relevant to the interests of its diverse audiences, the McMichael presents temporary special exhibitions that broaden perspectives on art, present Canadian art in a global context, and focus on contemporary artists in response to the canon.

Reporting to the Executive Director & CEO, the Director, Curatorial & Collections is responsible for ensuring the ongoing safekeeping, maintenance, development and accessibility of the McMichael collection as well as other collections in its care through planned preservation, acquisition, research and public presentation strategies.

The Director of Curatorial & Collections is responsible for overseeing the creative development and implementation of a balanced exhibition program integrating temporary special exhibitions and permanent installations, consistent with the mandate and vision of the McMichael Canadian Art Collection.

McMichael offers a unique experience as an extraordinary place to visit and explore Canadian culture and identity, and the connections between art and nature. McMichael is looking to develop opportunities offered through the 50th anniversary of the gallery in 2016, and the 150th of Canada in 2017, to foster wider support at the national and international level.

The successful candidate must balance professional curatorial and museological practices with sound business methodologies, as well as recognize the importance of the interrelationship of the curatorial content function with marketing, development and fundraising, in the effective operation of the McMichael.

The Director of Curatorial & Collections reports to the Executive Director & CEO and, as a member of the Senior Management Team, is involved in the organization’s business planning and implementation of strategic initiatives.

The ideal candidate will have a Masters or Doctoral degree in Art History with a broad knowledge of Canadian art in all its dimensions – historical, modern, contemporary, First Nations, Métis, and Inuit art in all media. A minimum of ten years’ experience in the cultural and/or public environment at a management / leadership level, encompassing exhibition development and production, research and publishing, collections management, curatorial practices, and administration are required. Business acumen in financial, organizational and personnel practices is necessary for the effective leadership of the Curatorial and Collections departments. Fluency in French is an asset.

Salary will be commensurate with experience.

Application Process:

Forward your resume along with a covering letter to Human Resources by November 17, 2014 to hr@mcmichael.com

McMichael Canadian Art Collection, 10365 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg, Ontario, L0J 1C0, Fax (905)893-2588 www.mcmichael.com

We thank all applicants for their resume. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. The McMichael supports individuals with disabilities throughout the interview and employment process.