Head of Exhibitions and Publications

The Power Plant
Application Deadline: December 10, 2021

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The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery at Harbourfront Centre is Canada’s leading public gallery devoted exclusively to the art of our time and is recognized as an important centre for contemporary art in North America. Since 1987, The Power Plant’s mission has been to create an open culture and community for people to be face-to-face with thought-provoking contemporary art and ideas. We have a culturally diverse workforce and audience whose lives and communities we seek to enrich through encouraging exploration of self and society. More than a gallery, The Power Plant is a community hub that caters to adults, youth, and children through broad and unique programming. To learn more about us, please visit thepowerplant.org.

We are currently looking to bring on board a motivated and passionate Head of Exhibitions and Publications. This position is central to The Power Plant’s work with a diverse mix of emerging and established artists with an aim to support artists, curators, writers and thinkers at different stages of their careers who reflect social and political histories and explore contemporary themes in their practice.

Role Statement


Position Title: Head of Exhibitions and Publications
Department:The Power Plant
Reporting to:Director and Artistic Director
Direct Reports:Associate Curator, Head of Installation and Facilities, Publications Officer
Type of Employment: Full-time
Compensation: $75,000 to $90,000 per year, including comprehensive employee benefit package

Summary of Function

The Head of Exhibitions and Publications works closely with the Director and Artistic Director on the artistic programme of the gallery and leads on the practical delivery of The Power Plant’s (TPP) exhibitions and Publications. The Head of Exhibitions and Publications is also responsible for overseeing the delivery of performances and other events, with significant curatorial input on these aspects of the programme. The post also manages the TPP Archive and the documentation of the programs, with support from the Curatorial team.

The Head of Exhibitions and Publications is a key member of the TPP’s senior management team responsible for delivering the gallery’s mission and performance targets, and for contributing to strategic planning, organizational management and the overall development of TPP. The post-holder will work in close collaboration with colleagues across the organization, as well as external partners and artists, to ensure that projects align with and advance TPP’s institutional objectives and distinguish The Power Plant within the cultural sector and beyond. Motivated by balancing past professional experiences with intuition, the Head of Exhibitions and Publications will have frequent and focused communication with others. The job requires assertiveness, compassion, and decisiveness in dealing with situations that are artistic, intellectual, emotional, and pragmatic while adapting to various situations with ease.

Duties & Responsibilties

Strategy, Management& Planning

  • Be an active member of the senior management team and contribute to the gallery’s organizational leadership, strategic planning and review;
  • Develop and implement an exhibitions program strategy, and management of multiyear exhibition planning;
  • Oversee all curatorial and logistical aspects, including the approval by the Director and Artistic Director of exhibition layouts and design of all commissions/exhibitions;
  • Work with the Director and Artistic Director to set the direction and master calendar for exhibitions;
  • Ensure that TPP’s diversity and inclusion aims and objectives are at the forefront of the artistic programme and TPP as a whole;
  • Support the Director and Artistic Director on the development and delivery of the artistic objectives of TPP (onsite and online) particularly the exhibitions, archive, and programs for donors and members;
  • Deputize for the Director and Artistic Director on exhibition related matters as required;
  • Develop effective working relationships across the gallery to discuss, plan and integrate TPP’s curatorial programme across all areas of TPP;
  • Develop and maintain local, national and international professional networks with artists, gallery professionals, funders, and other institutions to develop working relationships beneficial to TPP, the delivery of the artistic programme and to raising the profile of the gallery;
  • Ensure appropriate documentation, reporting and evaluation of all elements of the programme for both internal and external review, and ensure funding bodies are kept informed;
  • Work with the Development team on funding applications to support the artistic programme.
  • Working with Head of Communications & Marketing, to contribute to communications, press strategy, and identity for exhibitions and wider TPP seasons;
  • Participate in TPP audience development strategy with wider TPP leadership;
  • Represent TPP in all necessary meetings, internally and externally;
  • Attend all, and present at select, press previews and board meetings;

Exhibitions & Public Programme

TPP Archive

Ensure processes for archiving materials after each exhibition / event are followed correctly and that processes are reviewed periodically; line manage the Registrar ensuring the maintenance and development of TPP’s digital archive resources

Staff Management

  • Manage the Gallery’s Curatorial Department, ensuring they are enabled to carry out their tasks efficiently and effectively; recruit, monitor and manage curatorial staff in line with TPP and HC policies and procedures;
  • Foster a collaborative, interdepartmental working environment with HC, with an emphasis on internal professional growth for staff;
  • Oversee the management of freelance artists, technicians and other contractors engaged to support the delivery of the TPP’s programme;
  • Participate in training and development activities as required and assist with the training and development of the Curatorial team.
  • Possess emotional intelligence to identify with and care about artists, colleagues, and audiences for the sake of artistic excellence

Finance & Administration

  • Have day-to-day responsibility for the financial management of the Curatorial Department, controlling budgets as agreed with the Director, authorizing expenditure, monitoring and reporting on budgets and taking action to deal with identified variances;
  • Prepare reports on the curatorial programme as required for the Director, Board Members and funders, working in partnership with the TPP’s Communications and Development teams as required;

Other

  • Be inclusive and operate in accordance with the TPP’s diversity, safeguarding, employment, health and safety, equal opportunities and other practices, policies and procedures;
  • Take responsibility for own administration, devise and implement appropriate processes and procedures to achieve agreed objectives;
  • Attend staff meetings, report on relevant areas of work and disseminate information as required;
  • Maintain a commitment to training and professional development;
  • Be an advocate and effective representative of TPP at private views, previews, other evening and weekend events as appropriate and at external professional events;
  • Have the ability to work evenings and weekends when required;
  • Perform special projects and other duties of a similar nature or level assigned by the Director and Artistic Director from time to time.

Skills, Qualifications & Attributes

  • Master’s degree in fine arts or related field, or equivalent experience;
  • An in-depth knowledge of contemporary art, the international contemporary art world, and broad knowledge of art history. An understanding of, and commitment to The Power Plant’s mission and values;
  • Seven or more years of work experience in a non-profit museum or visual arts organization, with escalating responsibility and commensurate management experience;
  • Six or more years of management experience with a strong professional track record in arts administration, strategic planning, and building collaborative relationships, with demonstrable results;
  • Demonstrated excellence in organizing contemporary art exhibitions and publications and working closely with living artists, their studios, and galleries in a supportive manner;
  • Proven experience in curating exhibitions and creative projects;
  • Close familiarity with museum and contemporary art venue practices;
  • Experience in project management, including devising and maintaining budgets, planning, and reporting to stakeholders
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills with significant public speaking experience and excellent interpersonal skills are required to deal tactfully with a variety of people, including staff, organizations, institutions artists in academic media and publishing circles and within the visual arts and cultural sector;
  • The dexterity to establish courses of action that ensure work is completed effectively using logical, practical, and efficient approaches while listening to many points of view and facilitating agreements between multiple parties;
  • Ability to talk about contemporary art accessibly and with conviction, with a wide range of groups.
  • Ability to lead, motivate, and develop a team.
  • Experience in initiating and developing successful and sustainable partnerships and collaborations.
  • The ability to define, analyze, and diagnose all aspects of the program to formulate a solution based on sound and timely decisions;
  • Excellent computer skills including MS Office and databases.
  • Extraordinary organization skills and ability to manage multiple priorities within tight deadlines and thrive in a fast-paced environment;
  • Experience in raising funds to support and develop creative activities and donor cultivation is an asset;
  • An understanding of and commitment to The Power Plant’s mission and values.
  • Must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Non-Canadian applicants must have a valid employment Visa and proper documentation authorizing their ability to work in Canada for the full duration of the contract.
  • Remote work from home is currently in place, however the candidate must be able to work on site at our downtown lakeside gallery as needed, and when a return-to-work directive is in place.
  • The Power Plant recognizes its heightened duty to protect employees from health and safety risks during the current pandemic. As such, an offer of employment shall be conditional on proof of full COVID-19 vaccination with a vaccine series approved by Health Canada or the World Health Organization.

Our Values

Open
We’re friendly, welcoming and inclusive, with an experimental attitude that thrives on collaboration.

Brave
To achieve our bold ambition we empower and support imaginative risk and we always try to learn from our mistakes.

Rigorous
We are committed to excellence in all we do, ensuring every visitor encounter is safe, memorable and enriching.

Kind
We value and respect each other and all our visitors, celebrating difference and striving to realise potential.

How To Apply

Acceptable applications must include a current resume and a cover letter addressed to Gaëtane Verna, Director of The Power Plant, indicating why you wish to join the team, how you would meet the essential criteria for this key position, and your salary expectation.

The Power Plant is committed to diversity and inclusiveness. We encourage qualified candidates from all backgrounds to apply by contacting jobs@harbourfrontcentre.com by no later than December 10, 2021. Please quote Head of Exhibitions and Publications (The Power Plant) in the subject line of your application.

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted. Suitable accommodations will be available upon request during the hiring process.