OPEN CALL: Director-Curator Position at Belkin Art Gallery

The Faculty of Arts at The University of British Columbia (UBC)—Vancouver invites applications for the position of Director/Curator, Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery.

The Belkin Gallery is dedicated to equity, social justice, criticism and curating. This is a unique opportunity for a Director/Curator embedded in the world of contemporary art to bring diverse experience, background, and perspectives to UBC and the communities in Vancouver, Canada and internationally. Concurrent with the directorship, the successful candidate will hold an academic appointment to a tenure-stream professorial position (as either Assistant Professor or Associate Professor, with the rank of appointment commensurate with qualifications and experience) in the Department of Art History, Visual Art & Theory (AHVA) and will be an active member of the Critical and Curatorial Studies (CCST) program. The appointment will commence as early as January 1, 2023, or a mutually agreeable start date. The successful candidate will be appointed in the Director’s role for a five-year term with the possibility of renewal for another term, after which time they will become a part of the AHVA faculty complement.

Reporting to the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, the Director/Curator is responsible for the overall artistic vision and operations of the Gallery, including exhibitions, collections, acquisitions, programs and direction and management of the Gallery’s professional staff. The Director/Curator will maintain an active program of research and scholarly activity and curatorial practice and teach and supervise graduate students in AHVA and CCST. The Director/Curator is also responsible for overseeing fund development and fundraising for the Gallery’s operations, acquisitions, programming, research, and special projects, and works closely with UBC Development on stewardship of the Gallery’s major donors.

The successful candidate will be able to articulate a defined curatorial vision and an appreciation of the values and strengths that the Gallery carries forward. They will be expected to demonstrate the ability to lead an organization through change and develop a forward-thinking strategic plan for addressing growth and fostering a collaborative, respectful, and inclusive environment for students, staff, faculty, and community partners. Evidence of accomplishment will be considered in a variety of forms, from academic qualifications such as a PhD or appropriate terminal degree to a combination of education and curatorial and publishing experience. Similarly, teaching ability can be evident in a number of ways, including in experience teaching, mentoring or training.

We seek applicants with an excellent record of curation, creative works, and/or professional contributions, in addition to research publications, and scholarly activity that will meet the criteria for appointment to a tenure-stream professorial position. The field of specialization within contemporary art is open; however, the successful candidate will have excellent knowledge and understanding of contemporary visual art practices and critical theory; the ideal candidate would also have an understanding of the Gallery’s collection and the ability to put the local conversation around art in Vancouver/Canada in an international dialogue.

Apply online here by September 30, 2022. Enquiries may be directed to Associate Dean Laura Moss (arts.headships@ubc.ca) with “BELKIN director search 2022” in the subject line. Review of applications will begin in October 2022 and will continue until the position is filled. The position is subject to final budgetary approval. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

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