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Director and Chief Curator, Visual and Digital Arts
The Banff Centre

The Opportunity
The Banff Centre is looking for a Director/Chief Curator, Visual and Digital Arts to envision, lead and manage the implementation of all Visual and Digital Arts programming at The Banff Centre, including the studio residency and work study programs, the Walter Phillips Gallery and the Banff International Curatorial Institute. The department is currently assessing its facilities and staffing to better support artists working in digital and experimental technologies such as video, sound art, interactive storytelling and mobile apps among others. This review is in its early stages and the direction of this facility enhancement will be determined in part by the successful candidate in response to the demands required, today and tomorrow, by contemporary arts practice. The successful candidate will be highly collaborative in style and have an expressed interest in developing innovative and cross-disciplinary programming and research.

Position Objectives

Leads the Visual and Digital Arts department, envisioning a compelling future for programs that meets the ambitions laid out in the overall strategic plan of the Centre
Develops new programming of a high artistic calibre that meets the needs of Canadian and international artists and curators in the 21st century and increases the reach of our nationally and internationally renowned programs
Leads the curatorial direction of the Walter Phillips Gallery and manages The Banff Centre's collection of approximately 2000 works
Creates an environment where visual and digital artists can experiment and push creative boundaries to build on existing artistic knowledge and facilitate personal growth and development

Responsibilities

Oversees a group of onsite staff with expertise in studio facilitation across artistic disciplines, curatorial research, exhibit preparation and production, publications, and collections management
Creates the annual program plan and puts required funding and resources in place to bring the Visual and Digital Arts vision to life
Draws on his/her own network of contacts within the visual arts community to form a roster of exceptional sessional creative faculty
Ensures the Walter Phillips Gallery's reputation is enhanced as an institution of artistic excellence so that it is positioned at the forefront of contemporary art
Responsible for the Banff International Curatorial Institute, which supports research and professional development opportunities in the curatorial field
Develops an active program of dissemination of the results of studio activities and exhibitions through print and electronic channels
Works with the VP Arts and Directors of Film & Media, Theatre & Dance, Literary Arts, Music and Indigenous Arts to develop interdisiciplinary projects

Qualifications

Has excellent knowledge of current art practice and a comprehensive understanding of art education and professional development at the post-secondary level
Displays familiarity with funding sources to identify and support the application for grant opportunities
Possesses at minimum a master's degree in Art History, Curatorial Studies, Fine Arts or a related field
Has worked at least 5 years in a leadership role in a visual arts context
Experience with major capital projects is considered an asset

Special Requirements

Candidates offered a position with the Centre, in this capacity, will be required to obtain a criminal record check through the local R.C.M.P. detachment, verifying a clear record before a final job offer can be made
This position requires flexibility in schedule, working occasional weekends and evenings
Travel is required

Employment Terms & Benefits

This is a permanent salaried Management/ PSP position, subject to a 12 month probationary period, based on 37.5 hours per week
Salary commensurate with level of education and experience
The Banff Centre offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to all of its full time salaried employees. For more information please visit our benefits page

Application Process

We are accepting applications for this position until a suitable candidate is found.

If this opportunity matches your interest and experience, please submit your application online via The Banff Centre careers website: www.banffcentre.ca/careers