Bring art, community, and creativity together. The Curatorial Assistant plays a key role in bringing the vision of Gallery@501 to life. Working closely with the Curator, this position supports exhibitions, and daily gallery operations while helping to foster strong connections between artists, audiences, and the community. Through hands-on involvement in exhibitions, events, marketing, membership, volunteer coordination, and administrative support, the Curatorial Assistant helps advance the goals of the Gallery and promotes community connectedness in alignment with the Recreation, Parks & Culture (RPC) Strategy and Business Plan.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about visual arts, enjoys working with people, and thrives in a dynamic, community-focused environment.
Key Responsibilities:
- Collaborate closely with the Curator on exhibition planning and administration, including calls for submissions and artist contracts, coordinate meetings, support exhibition installations, events, receptions, rentals, and artwork documentation
- Coordinate artwork displays in the Artrium, Member of the Month window, and Members’ Exhibition, with guidance from the Curator
- Strengthen community engagement by coordinating the Gallery’s membership program and delivering initiatives that encourage artist participation, such as Members Exhibitions and Member of the Month features
- Support audience development and cultural connections by building relationships with local artists and community arts organizations, and identifying opportunities for collaboration and promotion
- Help grow the Gallery’s operational capacity by developing, promoting, and supporting the Gallery@501 volunteer program, while contributing to visioning and strategic initiatives with a strong focus on diversity, inclusion, and accessibility
- Promote Gallery@501 exhibitions, programs, and events by updating Gallery webpages, developing social media content, assisting with artist talks and special events, and collaborating with Gallery staff, local artists, and internal departments
- Support daily gallery operations by providing exceptional customer service, responding to inquiries, and registering clients for programs and memberships
- Work regular front-desk shifts and maintain a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, based on gallery hours, events, and operational needs
- Complete purchasing and pickup of supplies and food/beverage items using a corporate credit card, as required
- Perform general office duties and other related responsibilities as assigned
Qualification and Skills:
- Post-secondary degree in Visual Arts, Art History, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant professional experience
- Minimum two years of experience working in a gallery or similar arts or cultural environment
- Demonstrated interest and/or hands-on experience in the visual arts
- Availability to work evenings and weekends to support gallery hours, programs, and special events
- High level of creativity, adaptability, and organizational skill, with the ability to manage multiple priorities with a high attention to detail, and collaborate effectively with internal and external partners in a fast-paced, evolving environment
- Strong leadership, teamwork, communication, and relationship‑building skills, including a high standard of customer service and public relations; confidence in public speaking and facilitation is required
- Basic digital photography skills
- Ability to work across a variety of settings, including office work, visitor engagement, and physical tasks such as exhibition installations
- Experience using social media platforms (e.g., Instagram), marketing tools such as Canva and Hootsuite, and website content editing
- Familiarity with Intelli registration, RecOnline booking software, and Microsoft Office 365 is considered an asset
- Experience using basic hand tools, drills, painting tools, and artwork installation
- Ability to perform tasks that involve repetitive motion; some exhibitions may include audio/visual components, varying lighting conditions, music, sound, or other sensory elements
Conditions of Employment:
- Submission of Satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check
- Valid Alberta Class 5 Driver’s licence and submission of a 5-year Driver’s Abstract with less than 7 demerits
- Ability to lift 50lbs. as part of the job duties and sit and stand for extended periods of time, working in various indoor spaces
- Work on ladders and with lighting is required
- The position requires a flexible schedule to accommodate Gallery operations, events and activities that can occur in evenings and on weekends
Who We Are:
Strathcona County is a specialized municipality located in the heart of Alberta. Our vision is to become Canada’s most livable community, where our workplace culture and identity are supported by our people plan and values of integrity, respect, safety, collaboration, and accountability.
Why Join Strathcona County: (depending on position)
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package, which includes:
- Extended health and dental coverage
- Health and wellness spending account
- Life and disability insurance
- Retirement and pension programs
- Earned day off program
- Employee and family assistance program
- Commitment to employee development, through internal and external training and development opportunities
- Well-being programs and a safety culture focused on physical and psychological health in the workplace
Equivalencies of education and experience may be considered.
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies for similar positions within the next 6 months.
Strathcona County is committed to an inclusive, respectful, and equitable workplace that represents the community we serve. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds who can contribute diverse perspectives and experiences.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
