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.

The post McMaster Museum of Art Hiring Assistant Curator (18-month contract) appeared first on McMaster Museum of Art.

About the Museum

The McMaster Museum of Art 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. The 2020-2025 Strategic Plan which provides further details on current priorities can be accessed here.

About the Director and Chief Curator Role

The Director and Chief Curator provides dynamic leadership in the determination and implementation of strategic, financial, fundraising, promotion and infrastructure, planning and priorities for the McMaster Museum of Art and the university art collection with full participation and guidance in all policy development and associated decision making.

Reporting to the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), and collaborating with various community leaders, members, students and groups, the Director and Chief Curator will serve as a contributing member of the academic leadership team of the University. The Director and Chief Curator will also provide regular reporting updates to the President on strategic and long-range planning, Board related matters, the Levy Bequest and special events.

Core Accountabilities:

The Director and Chief Curator will lead a small team of professionals and oversee all strategic priorities and operational management of the Museum of Art.

• Initiates policies; implements procedures and appropriate reporting mechanisms to ensure compliance and fulfillment of fiduciary trust and legal obligations on the part of McMaster University for one of its single largest capital assets.
• Directs growth and development of the University art collection and the Levy Bequest; as well as operational management of the art collection to comply with responsibilities of public trust; and intellectual management of cultural and educational resources.
• Generates a broader, stable funding base for Museum operations through fundraising, external profile development, sponsorships, grant applications and special revenue generating activities.
• Represents the Museum and the University to donors, the media, all levels of government, private and public funding agencies, the national and international community of art museums and related public and educational programming.
• Provides academic support in a range of discipline areas.
• Develops a common vision for the Museum reflective of its varied constituents.
• Fiscal management of the Museum and associated capital assets, professionals, artists and art dealers.
• Develops and presents an annual schedule of exhibitions in collaboration with the curatorial team.

Related Experience:

The ideal candidate will have a passion for building community through the arts. They should be innovative, willing to engage constituents through traditional and non-traditional methods, and familiar with new and developing technology trends in the arts. They will have strength in relationship building and community engagement, a demonstrated track record of fundraising success, and experience working with diverse partners and teams including students, volunteers and donors. The successful candidate will have significant experience managing operations and staff leadership, administration, financial affairs, business development/marketing programs, strategic planning, and oversight of Board-directed initiatives.

• A bachelor’s degree in arts, business or museum sciences (master’s degree preferred); or an equivalent combination of education and related lived experience.
• 5+ years of successful managerial and leadership experience, as a director and/or administrator.
• Successful leadership in a fundraising capacity with a proven track record of both public and private fundraising abilities as well as grant funding for programs.
• Experience in financial management, including budget development and monitoring.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and relationship building/networking skills.
• A high degree of cultural competence and experience working with and serving diverse populations.
• Strong organizational abilities including planning, delegating, program development and reporting.

What We Offer

At McMaster University, our people are our most valuable asset. In our commitment to creating a brighter world, McMaster University strives to attract, develop, and retain talented faculty and staff, and to foster inclusive excellence which values the strengths, perspectives, and contributions of each individual.  McMaster’s profile and stature has evolved to one of the Top 100 Universities in the World.  McMaster is consistently recognized as one of the top employers in the Hamilton/Niagara region and one of Canada’s Top Diversity employers, and offers a very competitive Total Compensation Package that includes but is not limited to:

• Employer Paid benefits such as Extended Health, Dental, Emergency Out-of-Country Travel Coverage & Basic Life Insurance,
• Progressive paid annual vacation plan,
• Participation in a competitive Group Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP),
• Training, coaching and professional development opportunities,
• Employee tuition assistance for continuous development and education,
• Opportunity to be a part of an academic environment working alongside professionals who share a passion for learning.

For full details, reference McMaster’s Total Rewards website for additional information.

McMaster also offers a Flexible Work Environment, and this role will be eligible to participate in a hybrid work arrangement aligned with core operational requirements.

Additional Information

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.

Link to apply.

The post McMaster University hiring Director and Chief Curator, McMaster Museum of Art appeared first on McMaster Museum of Art.