Senior Curator (Full-Time, Contract)

  • Cambridge, ON
  • $49.63 per hour
  • Contract
  • Full-time
  • 1 month ago
  • Apply easily
Senior CuratorFull-Time, Contract (up to 6 months)Queen’s Square LocationPosting Date: March 6, 2026 Posting Closing: March 15, 2026 at 4:00 pmThis is a posting for an existing vacancy.Cambridge Art Galleries operates within a public library setting which contributes significantly to high attendance and results in many community-based collaborative projects and events. The gallery has the unique opportunity of engaging with many families, youth, Canadian newcomers, seniors, and the broader community on a daily basis. Cambridge Art Galleries’ mandate is to serve our regional and broader communities through the delivery of contemporary art programs which foster critical cultural dialogue. Our artistic activities engage, embrace, and empower people of all ages and abilities from diverse ethnic, social, and cultural backgrounds. We promote and support emerging and professional artists and advocate for the advancement of the creative sector.Under the direction of CPL’s Director, Programming and Promotion, the Senior Curator is responsible for curating exhibitions and coordinating all other gallery-related activities which include: overseeing the care and maintenance of the gallery’s permanent collection of contemporary Canadian fibre art; administrative functions supporting gallery day-to-day operations and providing guidance and direction to Gallery staff.What You’ll Do
  • Responsibility for program/service delivery (internal/external), coordination of staff
  • With support from their Director and other managers, directs the delivery of all gallery-related services. Provides key support for Gallery staff, exhibitions and related programs.
  • Oversees the care, documentation, exhibition, and conservation of the permanent collection.
  • Maintains all documentation pertaining to the permanent collection, including accessioning/deaccessioning and cataloguing.
  • Provides recommendations to the CEO on matters related to negotiating copyright, reproduction rights, and exhibition rights with artists and works represented in the permanent collection and external reproduction requests.
  • In consultation with the CEO, coordinates the loan of collection artworks to other museums/galleries, institutions, or traveling exhibitions.
  • Works with the Exhibition Coordinator to maintain the permanent collection. Makes recommendations on conservation needs and coordinates with conservators in consultation with the CEO.
  • Works with the Marketing and Communications Department to prepare promotional materials on exhibitions and related programming; responsible for creating and maintaining Gallery promotional content for physical and digital print materials, event listings, entering and updating data and images for exhibitions and other gallery activities.
  • Project management (planning, producing, implementation, monitoring, reporting)
  • Conceptualizes, researches, develops, and implements select exhibitions and projects; designs and prepares the overall installation and deinstallation plan for select exhibitions and works with the Exhibition Coordinator to implement them. Assists with exhibition installation when required.
  • In consultation with their Director, plans production and development of select exhibitions and projects; established guest art instruction programs, secures agreements with artists for exhibition, lending institutions or individuals within the allotted budget.
  • Business planning, develop policies and enterprise management
  • Manages exhibition/ project and program budgets in consultation with their Director or other Senior Leaders within established annual exhibition and program budgets. Monitors budget expenses.
  • Under the direction of their Director, prepares operating and project grant applications and reports, including drafting written content about exhibitions and related programming, gathering statistical information, coordinating charts and reports, and compiling support materials.
  • Requirement to adapt, modify, procedures, programs or inform policy development
  • Supports the development and implementation of policies and long-range plans.
  • Staff management (incl. supervision, employee development for direct reports)
  • Provides day-to-day guidance, establishes and approves staff schedules, and supervises gallery staff. With support from Human Resources, addresses performance management or employee/ labour relations matters.
  • Other duties as required including, but not limited to:
  • Responsible for addressing inappropriate or disruptive behaviour of members according to the established procedures; seeks resolution of complaints/issues from members that have escalated beyond the service point level.
  • Participates as required in meetings with individuals, groups, outside agencies and institutional partners to promote the gallery, undertakes joint activities and address inter-agency/institutional problems to ensure the delivery of regular gallery services and special programs.
  • Responsible for and performs various administrative tasks including monitoring of office supplies, ordering materials.
  • Prepares insurance information for submission by the Exhibition Coordinator to the insurer for select exhibitions/projects.
  • Researches and writes original content and interpretive material to engage the public with exhibitions and the permanent collection; coordinates the production of this material with graphic designers, printers and other contributors, both internally and externally.
What You BringTo be qualified for and successful in the role, you should have:
  • Required – Holds a post-graduate diploma such as Master of Curatorial Studies or another equivalent degree
  • Required – Six (6) years prior experience in administration and curation in an art gallery
  • Required – Three (3) years experience with budgeting, funding requirements and granting agencies
  • Required – Three (3) years prior experience with Collection management systems and graphic design software
  • Required – Demonstrated knowledge of Canadian and contemporary art, exhibition procedures and collections management
  • Required – Demonstrated knowledge of proper handling of artworks
  • Required – Demonstrated advanced proficiency with task-specific software (Microsoft 365/Office and virtual meeting software)
  • Required – Valid G-Class Driver’s license and access to vehicle
  • Required – Excellent verbal and written communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
  • Required – Superior organization and time management skills to address competing priorities
  • Required – Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and managing multiple deadlines and remain calm under pressure
  • Required – Demonstrated ability to collaborate professionally with internal and external partners
  • Required – An inclusive and empathetic approach with a service-oriented mindset
  • Required – A passion for supporting the diverse interests and needs of the Cambridge community
  • Preferred – Demonstrated knowledge of handling fibre art
Why Cambridge Public Library (CPL)?Working at Cambridge Public Library offers you the opportunity to be part of an organization that is welcoming, collaborative, and passionate about the community.By joining our team, you’ll become part of a passionate group of professionals dedicated to enriching lives and inspiring lifelong learning.
  • Retirement Savings: Membership in OMERS, one of Canada’s largest defined benefit pension plans, can help provide a secure and stable income in retirement. Which you’ll be eligible on the first day.
  • Free Onsite Parking: Parking shouldn’t be a hassle. That’s why we offer free onsite parking for employees.
  • Paid Sick Time: We offer competitive paid sick time as we value your well-being.
  • Reliable Work Schedules: We understand the importance of work-life balance. Our scheduling process ensures that you’ll have a consistent schedule.
  • Positive Work-Life Balance: We strive to maintain a positive work-life balance, ensuring that you have the time and energy to enjoy life outside of work.
Salary: $49.63 per hour (Level 11 in our salary grid).Hours: This is a full-time contract position, 35 hours in a weekly periodWork Schedule: Typically, Monday – Friday 9:30 am – 5:30 pmYou may be required to work additional hours or to adjust your schedule to fulfil your responsibilities related to events occurring outside of the regular work week.How to ApplyTo be considered for the position, applications must be received by 4:00 pm EST on March 15, 2026. Late applications will not be considered. * Tell us why we should consider you for this position! Please provide both a cover letter and resume, combined as a single PDF document. Submissions containing links, multiple files or missing required documents will not be considered.
  • Submit your application by email to
  • When applying by email, please quote “26-08 Senior Curator” in your email subject line
The anticipated start date for this position is April 2026.The position is open to internal and external candidates. We thank everyone for their interest, however only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.Additional Information
  • Cambridge Public Library aspires to employ a staff complement that fully represents the diversity of the community we serve. All qualified individuals who would contribute to the further diversification of our organization are encouraged to apply.
  • Cambridge Public Library is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to accommodating individual needs in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you need any accommodations during the hiring process, please contact Human Resources at
. * For more information about us, please visit our website at
. * A Police Criminal Record Check and Judicial Matters Check that is satisfactory to CPL will be required.
  • Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada. Cambridge Public Library (CPL) will communicate regarding employment opportunities via email and/or telephone. Applicants are required to maintain up-to-date contact information. As communications may be time-sensitive, applicants are encouraged to monitor their email and voicemail regularly. Failure to respond may be interpreted as a withdrawal of interest in the position. If it is determined that any information submitted is inaccurate, misleading, or incomplete, Cambridge Public Library (CPL) may, at its discretion, remove the application from further consideration.

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