TD Curatorial Assistant, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery

Overview

The Robert McLaughlin Gallery seeks a highly motivated and creative TD Curatorial Assistant to support the curatorial vision, programming, and collaborations. This two-year contract (fall 2025 to fall 2027) provides an emerging curator with meaningful work experience in a public gallery setting, including the opportunity to research and develop a major exhibition to be presented at the RMG in 2028.

Key Dates

• Application Deadline: September 28, 2025, 5:00pm ET
• Contract Period: Fall 2025 to Fall 2027

Eligibility & Background

B.A. (minimum) or M.A. degree in art history, art criticism, museum studies, curatorial practice or a related field. Deep knowledge of contemporary art in Canada and abroad. Must be legally eligible to work in Canada; non-Canadian applicants must have valid employment visa and proper documentation for the full contract duration. Priority will be given to applicants who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Colour (BIPOC), as well as others from other equity-deserving groups.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

• Support all phases of exhibition development including research, workflow, lender and artist relations, publication rights and reproductions, writing exhibition-related texts, liaising with artists, curators, gallerists, and collectors/lenders, floor plan development, installation, documentation and development of public programs
• Coordinate shipping and loan requests
• Answer research requests and provide support to visiting scholars and researchers
• Coordinate all aspects of a major public art commission in collaboration with Senior Curator
• Negotiate loans and agreements with galleries, collectors, artists, and other institutions
• Provide assistance with touring exhibitions and publications
• Build relationships with diverse community groups and foster new partnership and outreach initiatives
• Support collections management projects such as cataloguing, care of collections, database maintenance, acquisitions, and preventative conservation efforts
• Help prepare presentations for staff, board and acquisitions committee meetings
• Prepare detailed notes on exhibitions for Visitor Engagement Assistants and lead tours of exhibitions for special-interest groups and the public
• Attend regular curatorial meetings, take minutes and be responsible for following up with action items
• Perform general administrative duties associated with the curatorial department, including coordinating contracts, shipping, travel, schedules, and correspondence for exhibitions and public programs

Required Skills & Experience

• Effective communication skills (written and oral)
• Experience handling and working with art objects
• Excellent research skills with high level of critical/logical and creative/innovative thinking
• Demonstrated experience writing, copy-editing, proofreading
• Computer proficiency (Microsoft and Apple) required; knowledge of web CMS, basic audio/photo/video editing is desirable, as is familiarity with Sketchup
• Proficiency in French (reading, written and oral) or other languages is an asset
• Energetic, self-motivated, results-oriented attitude
• Strong work ethic and ability to perform in a fast-paced environment with multiple projects on the go and with varying deadlines

Compensation

Annual salary of $47,500.

How to Apply

• Letter (maximum 2 pages) describing interest in the position, experience curating exhibitions, and what you hope to learn
• CV (maximum 3 pages)
• Three references (with contact information)
• Two writing samples (maximum 8 pages each) such as academic writing, original criticism or art-related writing

Contact

Leila Timmins, [email protected], 905-576-3000 ext. 111.