Associate Curator, Photography

Regular Full-Time (Permanent Full-Time)

35 hours per week

ART + AUDIENCE + LEARNING

Posted on December 12, 2025

Located in Toronto, the Art Gallery of Ontario is one of the largest art museums in North America, attracting approximately one million visitors annually. The AGO Collection of more than 120,000 works of art ranges from cutting‑edge contemporary art to significant works by Indigenous and Canadian artists and European masterpieces. With over 70,000 objects, the photography collection spans from the 1840s to the present day, and aims to reflect the artistic, historical, and social impact of the medium.

• Respect:
  We foster belonging and appreciate each other.
• Openness:
  We interact with an open mind and thoughtful engagement.
• Collaboration:
  
  We believe in the power of together.
• Accountability:
  We own our actions and outcomes.

We are currently seeking an Associate Curator, Photography to join our Curatorial team. Under the direction of the Curator, Photography , the successful candidate will plan, build, and present the permanent collection of photographs; create, organize and execute major exhibitions, often in partnership with peer museums. She/he/they will produce a special exhibition approximately every three years that has broad public appeal and engages the AGO’s diverse audiences, and will participate in preparing for the opening of the new Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery, which will open in 2027.

The incumbent identifies and researches significant tendencies, issues and opportunities in the visual arts and fosters public understanding of art as a vital social and cultural force. Working in collaboration with colleagues, internally and externally, she/he/they will create and realize projects that support the AGO’s mission of presenting great art, facilitating learning, and engaging with audiences, and contribute to the achievement of the AGO’s strategic goals as a leading presenter of photography.

The salary range for this position is $89,180 - $111,456 per annum.

• In consultation with the Curator, Photography, plans and oversees collection installations and rotations. Liaises with other departments across the Gallery; manages communications with lenders and external stakeholders; works with research assistants and/or interns. Ensures proper care, handling and display for works of art in the permanent collection.
• Creates, organizes and executes exhibitions and publications on the history of photography and serves as curator for exhibitions hosted by the AGO. Collaborates with research assistants and appropriate internal departments throughout the exhibition planning and production process and participates on project teams and other pan‑Gallery content planning and delivery forums. Coordinates hosted exhibitions; consults with originating curator, participates in production meetings, oversees installation.
• In consultation with the Curator, Photography, identifies and acquires works of art to build the permanent collection, negotiates price, conducts research and prepares reports for presentation to the Photography Curatorial Committee. Prepares documentation for the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board (CCPERB).
• Collaborates with the Curator, Photography and the Photography Curatorial Committee Chairperson to plan, facilitate and execute effective committee meetings. Engages committee members in understanding the artistic and cultural significance of acquisitions and exhibitions as well as their roles as supporters of the Gallery’s artistic mission. Provides expert advice both internally to Committees and externally to art collectors and the general public, as needed.
• Promotes the AGO to local and international art communities and among the general public; interacts with scholars, collectors and critics. Leads AGO International Art Circle group on a domestic or international trip on average every 12‑18 months and participates in AGO’s donor programs as a guest speaker. Builds and encourages positive relationships with the collector and donor community, art dealers and auction houses.
• Manages work performance of department staff and interns…