Young Canada Works: Exhibition and Collection Assistant
Duration: September 8, 2025 – March 27, 2026
Hours: Full-time, 28 hours per week
Hourly Wage: $26/hr
Application Deadline: June 17, 2025
About the Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art:
The Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art is a dynamic cultural institution dedicated to preserving and promoting Canadian art. We are home to the Artists for Kids (AfK) Teaching Collection, a collection of over 1,000 works by Canadian artists that spans multiple generations, media, and artistic movements. The gallery serves as a hub for educational engagement, providing a place where art education is at the forefront of our curatorial choices and programming.
Through our partnership with Artists for Kids, a community-based program within the North Vancouver School District, we provide students from across the region with hands-on experiences and deep connections to Canadian art. Our mission is to enrich the lives of young people through art education, offering them an opportunity to interact with both contemporary and historical works by some of Canada’s most celebrated artists. The Artists for Kids program allows students to spend an entire school day at the gallery, engaging with artworks, developing critical thinking, and fostering creativity.
At the Gordon Smith Gallery, we believe in the power of art to inspire and educate, and our programming reflects this commitment to arts education, community engagement, and accessible art experiences for all.
Position Summary:
The Exhibition and Collection Assistant will support the continued digitization, management, and promotion of the Artists for Kids Teaching Collection. This is a hands-on role that combines technical work in digital archiving with creative outreach and public engagement activities. The intern will help ensure that the collection is accessible to diverse audiences, from school groups and educators to the general public, and will play an essential role in promoting the gallery’s educational programs through online exhibitions and community outreach.
The successful candidate will gain practical experience in museum collections management, digital asset management, and public program coordination. They will have the opportunity to work with a diverse team of art professionals, educators, and curators, gaining valuable experience in curating exhibitions, managing digital collections, and using digital platforms for public engagement.
Key Responsibilities:
Cataloging and Digitization:
Finalize metadata entry for artworks in the Artists for Kids Teaching Collection.
Capture high-quality images of artworks and ensure accurate documentation of all details (title, artist, medium, dimensions, etc.).
Assist in maintaining the collection in the Omeka S platform, ensuring it is well-organized and accessible for staff, educators, and students.
Outreach and Engagement:
Promote the digitized collection and online exhibitions to schools, universities, and libraries, encouraging educators to integrate the collection into their teaching.
Assist in organizing and facilitating virtual events and online exhibitions to increase public access and engagement with the collection.
Create content for social media and the gallery website to raise awareness of the collection and highlight its educational value.
Educational Program Support:
Support the Artists for Kids educational program by coordinating virtual tours, workshops, and interactive events for school groups.
Assist with the development of educational resources (e.g., lesson plans, activity sheets, exhibition guides) to accompany the collection for use by educators.
Collaborative Support:
Work closely with curatorial, education, and communication teams to ensure the alignment of outreach strategies with educational goals and gallery programming.
Support the planning and execution of in-person and virtual exhibitions, ensuring a smooth operational experience for both the public and participants.
Required Qualifications:
Education: A diploma or degree in Museum Studies, Art History, Cultural Heritage, Communications, Digital Media, Education, or a related field. A combination of relevant education and practical experience will be considered.
Skills:
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and digital media platforms.
Familiarity with Omeka S or other collection management systems is an asset.
Basic knowledge of image editing software (e.g., Photoshop) is an asset.
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
Excellent organizational and time management skills.
Other Attributes:
A passion for Canadian art and art education.
A strong interest in museum and gallery work and a desire to learn more about exhibition curation, public programming, and digital archiving.
Job Equity:
We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from all qualified candidates. We actively seek to ensure diversity in our recruitment and provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for all applicants. We encourage applications from youth with disabilities, Aboriginal youth, visible minorities, and new Canadians.
The Gordon Smith Gallery of Canadian Art values the opportunity to learn, share, and grow on the traditional and unceded territory of the Skwxwú7mesh Nation and Tsleil-Waututh Nation. We recognize that the inclusion of diverse perspectives strengthens our work and enriches the cultural landscape.
How to Apply:
To apply, please submit your resume, cover letter, and any relevant portfolio materials to admin@smithfoundation.ca by June 17, 2025. Please include “Exhibition and Collection Assistant Application” in the subject line.
Important Note:
As part of the Young Canada Works (YCW) program, applicants must create a profile on the Young Canada Works website and complete the Candidate Eligibility Form. This step is necessary to ensure that you meet the program’s eligibility requirements. Please visit Young Canada Works to create your profile and submit your application.
We thank all applicants for their interest, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.