Employment Type: Full-time, Two-Year Contract
Environment: Hybrid
Overview
Established in 1975, the Textile Museum of Canada has established itself as a vibrant cultural space promoting community engagement through our programs and exhibitions. The Textile Museum is the only national museum in Canada exclusively dedicated to the study and presentation of textiles from cultures around the world. This universality of textiles is at the heart of our work; it provides the opportunity to engage communities around us, and national and international visitors. Through our public programs, delivered in person and online, we build on a long history of connecting creativity, cultures, and human histories through everyday materials.
The Textile Museum of Canada is seeking a passionate and dynamic IBPOC Exhibition Curator with strong community connections and project management skills to participate in the IBPOC Curatorial Incubator for Textiles and Fashion. This role focuses on two major exhibitions on Indigenous Fashion, and on supporting other exhibitions in the Museum as needed.
Reporting to the Head Curator, the candidate will play a pivotal role in transforming curatorial practices, promoting equity, justice and amplifying Indigenous voices. This position is fully funded by a TD Ready Commitment Grant and is a contracted two-year role.
Key Responsibilities
Exhibition Development and Leadership
- Take part on the creation and curation of two major Indigenous Textiles and Fashion exhibitions
- Contribute to the strategic thinking behind the exhibition development process
- Incorporate Indigenizing, anti-colonial, anti-oppression, and anti-racist methodologies in their
curatorial practice. - Highlight Indigenous fashion as a tool for sustainability, cultural revitalization and pride.
- Collaborate with renowned Indigenous curators, artists, and designers.
- In collaboration with the curatorial team, conduct significant research to develop exhibition
briefs and curatorial approaches for two major Indigenous fashion exhibitions - Lead the development and implementation of a master calendar and project manage two
major Indigenous fashion exhibitions - Together with the curatorial team, work on artefact research, object and image selection, text
- writing and provide feedback on exhibition design.
- Work with artists to coordinate loans and acquisitions for the Indigenous fashion exhibitions
- Support the installation of two major Indigenous fashion exhibitions
- Support with content development for the Indigenous Fashion blog hosted by the museum
Community Engagement and Accessibility
- Continue to develop and grow the relations that the museum already has with the Indigenous
Fashion community - Develop and implement strategies to increase community cohesion and accessibility.
- Work with the Curator of Learning and Community engagement to organize and facilitate
public events associated with the exhibition. - Ensure low-cost participation to break down economic barriers.
Professional Development and Representation
- Participate in leadership and mentorship programs.
- Foster professional growth and career advancement opportunities for IBPOC individuals.
- Amplify diverse perspectives and contribute to justice, equity, and inclusivity in the arts and
culture sector
Sustainability and Cultural Revitalization
- Showcase sustainability principles inherent in Indigenous fashion.
- Emphasize Indigenous practices of ancestral dyeing and long-standing making techniques.
- Emphasize the role Indigenous fashion has on work creation within Indigenous communities,
particularly in youth
Evaluation and Continuous Improvement
- Implement a comprehensive evaluation framework for ongoing assessment and improvement.
- Collect and analyze feedback from employees and community members to enhance the
program.
Key Issues Addressed
- Implementing TRC recommendation #67, UNDRIP, and the CMA’s Moved to Action Report.
- Addressing underrepresentation in curatorial roles.
- Increasing the presence of Indigenous textile and fashion exhibitions.
- Enhancing community engagement and breaking down access barriers.
- Promoting professional development, Indigenization, and decolonization.
- Highlighting sustainability in Indigenous fashion.
Qualifications
- Strong background in curatorial practice, with a focus on textiles and fashion.
- Strong project management skills
- Experience working with Indigenous communities and knowledge of Indigenous cultural
practices. - Demonstrated commitment to Indigenizing, anti-colonial, anti-oppression, and anti-racist
methodologies. - Proven ability to lead and manage large-scale exhibitions and projects.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, and community engagement skills.
- Experience with accessibility initiatives and inclusive design is an asset.
Compensation
- $77,500 per year, paid biweekly
- A comprehensive health and dental benefits package that begins on your first day
- Two weeks of paid vacation to start
- 10 paid sick days
- 5 paid personal days
To Apply
Please send your cover letter and resume demonstrating your curatorial and project management skills required for this post in one PDF file to: [email protected] with the subject line “IBPOC Exhibition Curator Search.” We thank all applicants for their interest but advise that only those selected
for an interview will be contacted.
We anticipate first interviews will take place between the 3rd and 6th of September and second interviews between the 16th and 20th of September with the expectation that our new colleague would join our team in October. The Textile Museum of Canada is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a Board of Trustees approved Anti-Racism, Access, and Equity Policy.
Respect, accountability, and a courteous manner towards other staff, volunteers, and the public are requirements for all staff. We invite all candidates who meet the eligibility criteria to apply, however in keeping with the Museum’s equity goals; we encourage applications from candidates who have lived experience of disability, IBPOC candidates, and/or 2SLGBTQIAP+ candidates. Candidates are encouraged to self-identify in their cover letters.
The Textile Museum is committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to an employment opportunity, please advise the Museum of the accommodation measures, if required, which would enable you to be interviewed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.
Application Deadline
Monday, August 12, 2024, 11:59 PM ET
