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McMaster Museum of Art Hiring Assistant Curator (18-month contract)

June 13, 2025

McMaster Museum of Art building exterior

The McMaster Museum of Art (MMA) is seeking an informed, experienced,
committed and collegial individual to fill the position of Assistant Curator from
Tuesday August 19, 2025 – January 22, 2027.

The MMA is a public, university-affiliated art museum, one amongst 48 such
institutions in Canada. The MMA houses one of the best collections in a
university-affiliate in the country. The collection of approximately 7,000
objects, includes Indigenous, Inuit, contemporary Canadian and 15th– 20th
Century European art. The collection is housed in a facility with museum
standard environmental and security controls, 5 exhibition galleries, 5 on-site
storage vaults and 11 full-time staff. The Museum hosts an on-going exhibition
program, public/education programs and acquisitions program supported by
a significant on-line and social media presence.

Vision

The MMA will positively disrupt the traditional museological narrative by
creating more inclusive, dynamic and experiential relationships between
peoples and artistic practices.

Mission

The MMA is a meeting space for both the campus and the community
situated within the traditional territories of the Mississauga and
Haudenosaunee nations. The Museum engages, educates and inspires
through: Growing an awareness of the interconnectivity of the past, present
and future; Advancing de-colonization; Engaging in innovative and
imaginative research; Dismantling institutional and ideological boundaries;
Partnering and collaborating with intentionality; Diversifying the collection;
and Building capacity.

It is an exciting time to join the M(M)A! If you feel you are the right person to
join our team: in a time of transition, in a time of significant social and political
action in the arts and socio-cultural communities; if you are dynamic,
motivated and a team player, this job offers the opportunity to contribute to a
transformation in the arts in Canada.

Job Description

Start Date: August 19, 2025
End Date: February 20, 2027
Salary Grade: 7 ($27.12 – $31.65 hourly)

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Responsible for assisting in research, interpretation, collection
    development and exhibition production relating to the Museum
    collection areas and exhibition program.
  • Support the operational needs for different exhibitions.
  • Conduct database, literature, and web searches to find references and
    articles. Compile this information to be used for various purposes such
    as exhibition interpretation, collection support, grant applications, and
    policy and procedure manuals.
  • Provide support for the planning and organization of incoming and
    outgoing touring exhibitions including estimating time and resources
    needed.
  • Draft curatorial texts, including exhibition statements, didactics, and
    short essays.
  • Assist with the care and control of the permanent collection. This will
    include inventory management, condition reporting, physical handling
    and data entry into the collections database.
  • Draft acquisition justifications that enhance the Museum’s art
    collection.
  • Collaborate with education and programming teams to develop
    meaningful public programs that engage audiences.
  • Provide support in the design and delivery of educational programs
    that encourage involvement in Museum activities. This can range from
    offering feedback on pilot programs to assisting with exhibition tours.
  • Work with all project members to obtain sign off to deliverables &
    timelines.
  • Attend and participate in meetings. Take meeting minutes.
  • Review, edit, and format a variety of documents including but not
    limited to correspondence, grant applications, manuscripts, reports,
    abstracts, and slide presentations.
  • Maintain confidentiality of information.
  • Apply museological best practices in collections management and
    exhibition development.
  • Foster connections with artists, scholars, and peer institutions at a
    regional and national level.
  • Grow curatorial expertise through mentorship, professional
    development, and practical experience.

How To Apply

To apply for this job, please submit your application online.

Deadline for applications: June 27th, 2025

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the
Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by
the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity
and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its
Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose,
McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration
and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to
equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and
perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First
Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons
with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a
confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application
submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification
in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced
and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant
Diversity Survey – Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process
should contact:

Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679
to communicate accommodation needs.

Hybrid Work Language

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs
of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to
work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The
University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that
effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.

Link to apply.

VIEW ARCHIVE
Link to News Archive for a complete list of past news articles

McMaster Museum of Art Hiring Assistant Curator (18-month contract)
June 13, 2025

The McMaster Museum of Art (MMA) is seeking an informed, experienced, committed and collegial individual to fill the position of Assistant Curator from Tuesday August 19, 2025 – January 22, 2027. The MMA is a public, university-affiliated art museum, one amongst 48 such institutions in Canada. The MMA houses one of the best collections in […]

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Contact

Tel.:  905-525-9140
Ext.:  23081 for main menu
Ext.:  23241 for reception desk
Email:  museum@mcmaster.ca
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Pay what you can, if you can, with a suggested donation of $2.00

If there is an AODA web accessibility issue with this website, please email museum@mcmaster.ca

All galleries are wheelchair accessible. Read more about accessibility at McMaster.

Hours

Tuesday 11am-5pm
Wednesday 11am-5pm
Thursday 11am-5pm
Friday 11am-5pm
Saturday - Monday Closed

Closed statutory holidays and from December 24 - January 6, 2025

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McMaster University recognizes and acknowledges that it is located on the traditional territories of the Mississauga and Haudenosaunee nations, and within the lands protected by the Dish With One Spoon wampum agreement.

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