Registrar/Curatorial Assistant

Since 1976, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery has served the needs of Northwestern Ontario artists and art audiences while providing an important link to other cultural centres. With three gallery spaces that change exhibitions approximately every 6 weeks, there is always something new to capture the public's imagination.

As the region's only public gallery facility, the Thunder Bay Art Gallery's three-fold mandate is:

- To research, collect and exhibit the work of contemporary First Nations artists
- To promote, encourage and exhibit the works of local and regional artists
- To host travelling exhibitions from other art galleries and museums.

Nature and Scope of Position: The Registrar/Curatorial Assistant is accountable to the Director of the Gallery for the management of the Thunder Bay Art Gallery’s permanent collection of 1500+ pieces of work by contemporary Aboriginal artists and artists from Northwestern Ontario. The Registrar works with the Curator in the development of the collection and provides support to the Curator in the development and presentation of the exhibition program and extension services.

The Registrar/Curatorial Assistant must possess excellent research, writing, administrative, supervisory and organization skills. This position requires good interpersonal skills and the ability to take initiatives. The position requires the ability to perform under pressure and to various deadlines and considerable attention to detail. The position may also involve overtime.

Collections Management:
•Maintains registration system for permanent collection;
•Maintains physical storage vault;
•Assesses conservation needs with Curator;
•Organizes and maintains orderly forms, legal documents, files and retrieval systems associated with acquisitions, accessions, de-accessions, cataloguing, loans, packing, shipping, customs, inventory, insurance, and storage.

Curatorial Support:
•Prepares and reviews contracts for incoming and outgoing exhibitions;
•Assists with exhibition installation including condition reporting, label and signage preparation, lighting, hanging, placement, and documentation. Ensures safe handling of works of art;
•Assists with catalogue production including arranging photography, compiling information, editing, production, registration, and distribution;
•Oversee shipping arrangements;
•Maintains and processes catalogue exchange and oversees the maintenance of Gallery library;
•Coordinates the Community Gallery exhibition schedule;
•Coordinates annual Secondary School exhibition and other projects as required;
•Conducts research as required by the Curator.

Facilities Management:
•Monitors and ensures environmental controls;
•Develops and ensures security and emergency procedures;
•Acts as Gallery’s Health and Safety Representative.