Curatorial Fellow, Gibson Art Museum

Who We Are

Simon Fraser University is a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Our purpose – the essence of SFU – is to create and connect knowledge, learning and community for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. We are committed to fostering excellence, innovation, belonging and community in all that we do.

During their three-year tenure, the Curatorial Fellow develops and realizes a suite of exhibitions, public programs and other curatorial projects at the Gibson Art Museum. The role contributes to the Gibson’s research-focused artistic program through the development of major exhibition projects and/or special projects along with supporting a series of smaller curatorial projects involving the SFU Art Collection.

The Curatorial Fellow activates the Gibson’s vision of becoming an incubator for dynamic, cross-disciplinary curatorial research with a potential focus on British Columbian art practices and their global resonance, taking into account the rich interdisciplinary opportunities that spring from the University context. Working collaboratively with the Gibson’s internal team, particularly the Director, Exhibitions Manager, Collections Manager and Head Preparator, as well as relevant internal SFU and external partners, the role works to realize all phases of exhibition production, including concept development, installation and evaluation, while supporting the Gibson’s commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, experimentation and community engagement.

The ideal candidate for the Curatorial Fellow is an early- or mid-career curator with a demonstrated research- and curiosity-driven practice, an understanding of real-world constraints, and ambition to realize curatorial projects within our university context. Core competencies include a demonstrated ethic of welcoming and inclusivity, active listening with clear communications, and a strong collaborator with a focus on positive relationship building.

Master’s degree in Art History, Curatorial Studies, or a related field and 2 years of related curatorial experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary art and curatorial practice.
• Strong experience supporting exhibitions and/or public programs in a gallery or museum context.
• Exceptional research, writing and editorial skills for a museum or gallery context.
• Excellent organizational and project management abilities.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to work compassionately and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain project budgets and timelines.

At SFU, our goal is to ensure our people are valued and supported by promoting a healthy work-life balance, professional growth and development, as well as a safe and respectful workplace. We offer temporary employees who belong in the Administrative & Professional Staff Association (APSA):

• An additional 7% pay in lieu of benefits & 8% vacation pay
• Employer paid extended health & dental plans
• Professional development funds (minimum contract period of 1 year)
• Hybrid-work program for eligible positions

The assignment end date is 3 years from start date.

The Curatorial Fellows Program’s inaugural three-year appointment has been made possible by the generosity of the Audain Foundation.

The Marianne and Edward Gibson Art Museum’s purpose is to encourage open and inclusive learning about our past, current, and future worlds by supporting the work of critically engaged and research-driven visual artists. We organize exhibitions, public commissions, publications, residencies, and a diverse array of public programs, within the context of Simon Fraser University—a public research university known for its radical beginnings and commitment to community engagement and interdisciplinary research.

We know that art galleries on university campuses have historically been exclusionary, so our goal in developing the Gibson has been to listen to and learn from underserved communities in order to challenge prevailing ideas about visual art spaces (themselves…