Director - Curator, New Media Gallery

As a central hub in the Metro Vancouver area, the City of New Westminster delivers a broad spectrum of urban services to over 92,000 residents. New Westminster is rich in history with a viable and thriving economy and has a population representative of the diversity of the region. The City is staffed by talented and dedicated employees who work together to achieve its strategic vision. We have earned a proud reputation for civic leadership, service delivery, and outstanding employee relations.

This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate and self-motivated Director-Curator to join the Arts Services team, in the Community Services department! Reporting to the Manager of Arts Services, this role will use their experience and global connections to lead and provide oversight for all New Media Gallery programming and daily operations; including art exhibitions, programming activities, and community development and engagement opportunities.

Key accountabilities include (but not limited to):

·         Provide strategic leadership and overall management of New Media Gallery operations, exhibitions, public programming, community engagement, staff, budgets, and administrative functions.

·         Develop and implement the Gallery’s vision, mandate, and plan through the curation and delivery of exhibitions, special projects, and educational initiatives.

·         Lead exhibition planning and delivery, including project management, artist and interest-holder relations, contracts, budgets, logistics, and evaluation.

·         Foster strong relationships with artists, arts organizations, educational institutions, community groups, and internal partners to support collaboration and audience development.

·         Establish and support advisory and community engagement mechanisms that strengthen artistic excellence, community participation, and opportunities for local artists, including the Art Gallery Advisory Committee.

·         Oversee gallery marketing, communications, audience engagement, and promotional activities in collaboration with City departments and external partners.

·         Support grant funding, budget development, performance measurement, and strategic planning to ensure alignment with City goals and the City’s Arts Strategy.

·         Serve as a key resource and advocate for the local arts community while contributing to the broader cultural objectives of the organization.

·         Perform related duties in keeping with the purpose and accountabilities of the position.

Requirements:

·         Degree in Art History, Museum and Gallery Management, Curatorial Practice, Arts Administration, or a related field, ; plus, considerable related experience including curatorial experience in a public gallery or equivalent, with a track record of innovative exhibitions that engage and give meaning to Digital/New Media art, including but not limited to visual art, music, performance art and interactive platforms. Or, an equivalent combination of education and experience.

·         Considerable knowledge in Digital/New Media and contemporary arts, including a strong understanding of curatorial practice, aesthetics, theory, and history.

·         Proven experience developing and delivering innovative exhibitions, programs, and audience engagement initiatives that make contemporary art accessible and meaningful to diverse communities.

·         Considerable knowledge of exhibition planning, curation, installation, logistics, project management, and gallery operations.

·         Experience managing budgets, contracts, grant applications, procurement processes, and administrative systems.

·         Knowledge of best practices relating to travel, shipping, insurance and equipment needs related to exhibitions.

·         Strong understanding of marketing, communications, audience development, and public engagement practices within the arts and cultural sector.

·         Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with artists, cultural organizations, educational institutions, community groups, and other interest holders.

·         Strong leadership, organizational, project management, and decision-making skills, with experience overseeing staff, contractors, volunteers, and collaborative partnerships.

·         Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.

·         Proficiency with computer applications and technologies relevant to gallery operations, exhibition delivery, communications, and administration.

·         Ability to work non-standard hours including evenings, weekends, and stat holidays.

·         Ability to pass and maintain a satisfactory Police Information Check – Vulnerable Sector.