6 June 2023 11pm
Program Stream: Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations
Term: 10-week position, 40 hours / week
Location: Hybrid work model, Toronto, ON
Hourly Wage: $19.50 per hour worked, less applicable withholdings and statutory
deductions
Mercer Union, a centre for contemporary art, is seeking a Gallery Administration Assistant for a 10- week contract beginning 27 June 2023.
Mercer Union is dedicated to the advancement of contemporary art. Our gallery program includes exhibitions of commissioned and newly produced works, a series of commissioned public billboards, fORUM — a critical conversation series — as well as artists’ talks, workshops, seminars and special projects. We are a hub for dialogue, offering various platforms for artists and audiences to exchange ideas, strengthen skills, and disseminate knowledge. By doing so, we aim to deepen awareness, scholarship and debate around new and essential discourses in contemporary art.
Reporting to the Director & Curator, the Gallery Administration Assistant will support various aspects of working within a contemporary art institution, supporting the gallery’s audience engagement efforts with projects related to the planning, promotion, and production of public programming and community events.
The Gallery Administration Assistant will aid in maintaining Mercer Union’s customer relationship management (CRM) database, using this tool to foster strong relationships with artists, audiences, and our extended communities during the summer season. The Gallery Administration Assistant will also develop and implement communications for a range of events, using the gallery’s website, e-newsletter, and social media platforms to promote exhibitions and public programming. These activities will allow the student to gain practical experience with engaging audiences through digital means.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Host visitors to Mercer Union’s exhibitions and programs, interpreting artworks and leading exhibition tours as needed
- Provide information and accept registration for Mercer Union’s public programs
- Promote public programs to visitors and maintain audience database
- Facilitate audience engagement activities with relevant community groups and organizations
- Maintain audience records including: mailing lists; donation data; attendance; and participation at in-gallery and online activities using DonorPerfect database
- Support social media, email communications and website maintenance on an ongoing basis
- Assist with the coordination and promotion of receptions, public programs, and community events
- Open and close the gallery each day, providing technical and maintenance support for the daily functions of the gallery and exhibitions
- Provide administrative assistance to development and curatorial staff as required
- Assist with research related to public programming, fundraising events and campaigns
- Maintain a digital archive of gallery materials and press coverage related to exhibitions, exhibiting artists and public programs
Skills & Experience:
- Be currently enrolled in a Post-Secondary Degree in Art History, Fine Arts, Museum Studies, Arts Education, Arts Administration, Curatorial Studies or a related field
- Demonstrated interest in museum or gallery work, arts administration and public programming
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Attention to detail and excellent organizational skills
- Ability to multitask and manage long and short-term projects
- Demonstrated experience with project management and logistics coordination
- Mac OS proficiencies with Microsoft Office Suite. Proficiencies with Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign are an asset
- Experience with website management, email marketing and social media management
Eligible individuals are invited to submit a current CV and cover letter. Applications must be submitted by email to jobs@mercerunion.org, and received by 6 June 2023. Applications that do not include a CV and cover letter will not be considered. Only applicants selected for interviews will be contacted.
Mercer Union is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve and actively works to increase representation of equity-seeking groups within the arts sector. We promote employment equity and strongly encourage applications from racialized candidates, Indigenous peoples, and 2SLGBTQIAP persons, and persons with disabilities. If you identify as a member of these groups, you are invited to voluntary self-identify.
Mercer Union is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment and to providing employment accommodation for those who identify as disabled. Please let us know of any accommodation we may provide during the application process. If contacted for an interview, please communicate if you require accommodation.
About the Program Stream:
This position is funded in part through the Young Canada Works in Heritage Organizations, and all applicants must be registered in the YCW candidate pool and meet the current YCW-HO eligibility criteria.
A student may be eligible for employment if they:
- are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (non- Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent status are not eligible);
- are legally entitled to work in Canada;
- are between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment;
- are willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment;
- will not have another full-time job (over 30 hours a week) during the Young Canada Works (YCW) work assignment;
- have been a full-time high school, college, CEGEP or university student (as defined by their educational institution) in the semester preceding the YCW work assignment; and
- intend to return to full-time studies in the semester following the YCW work assignment.
Note: Priority will be given to students who have not previously participated in the YCW-HO employment program.