Curatorial Specialist
2 weeks ago
About the Calgary Stampede Foundation
The Calgary Stampede Foundation provides young people with opportunities to discover and pursue their passions through programs like The Young Canadians School of Performing Arts, Calgary Stampede Showband, Band of Outriders and Calgary Stampede Showriders. These programs teach valuable skills and allow the opportunity to perform around the world. The Stampede’s state-of-the-art Youth Campus offers best practice learning, training, and performing facilities for these programs.
About the Sam Centre
For over 100 years the Calgary Stampede has been the heart and soul of our city. It is both where and how we come together to celebrate our unique brand of western hospitality and community spirit. As we embark on the next chapter of our story, we will deliver exceptional experiences that entertain, educate and engage visitors. We will build inspired spaces to bring our community together to celebrate, and we will further energize the brand that has come to define our city. Our vision is to create a world-class, year-round gathering place for the community.
In May 2024, the Calgary Stampede Foundation opened Sam Centre, a year-round immersive experience that offers an intimate look at the rich history of the Stampede and its role in our community. Sam is anchored in the peoples, stories, and artifacts of the Calgary Stampede. It will engage and excite guests in Calgary’s Stampede story through immersive, interactive, story-driven experiences that put our guests at the center of the action.
As an organization that exists for the benefit of the community, inclusion and equity are woven into our core values of western hospitality, pride of place, integrity and commitment to the community. The world-class, year-round gathering place we have built for the community also welcomes visitors from around the world and those who are new to the local community. We know that blending diverse cultures with our long-standing traditions makes community spirit thrive.
Position Summary
With creativity and integrity, the Curatorial Specialist is responsible for curating, co-creating, and project managing temporary exhibitions and experiences for the Sam Centre, the Calgary Stampede, and community pop-ups. Community engagement and co-creation are essential to this position. The position further includes intermittent support for programs, special events, digital exhibitions, marketing and communications, youth education, as well as team leadership.
Reporting to the Manager, Exhibits & Experience, the Curatorial Specialist is a member of the Sam Centre Exhibits & Experience Team, which is responsible for sharing Stampede stories and working with the community to meet expectations for progressive 21st century museum practice. The Curatorial Specialist will have a demonstrated commitment to Indigenous partnerships, accessibility, community engagement, anti-racism, and a guest experience philosophy that believes that the guest and storytelling are at the center of decision-making. At its heart, this role is about creative exhibitions with a focus on co-creation and community connections.
Please note: This posting closes July 12, 2024
Responsibilities & Duties
Development & Design
Foster community partnerships that facilitate co-created exhibitions and contribute to a sense of connection through exhibitions. Research and lead the curation of new temporary exhibitions that deepen and broaden our understanding of Stampede stories (2-3 per annum). Research and lead the rotation of new artifacts and stories into Sam Centre’s long-term exhibition. Support the Stampede Historical committee with their Stampede time exhibitions. Lead or support the development of community pop-exhibits as opportunities arrive. Demonstrate innovative exhibition design by developing strategies to enrich learning, engagement, long term impact, community connection and fun through exhibitions. Prioritize interactive environments that foster curiosity, learning, critical thinking, and meaningful connections, preparing youth as spirited citizens. Establish and implement ongoing exhibition evaluation and improvement processes, utilizing community collaboration and focusing on delivering a best practice exhibition environment.Leadership
Collaborate closely with the Calgary Stampede Historical Committee’s exhibits subcommittees to develop a holistic approach to Stampede and Sam exhibitions. As required, recruit, train, and oversee exhibition staff and volunteers, strategically developing talent, and providing direction and leadership. Cultivate and forge positive relationships with key stakeholders in the community.Coordination
Collaborate with Calgary Stampede and Sam Centre colleagues including volunteers to develop, market and implement the exhibitions. Support website content development, reporting, creation of materials, and communications, in alignment with the rest of the Exhibits & Experience team. Budget development, accountability, and maximization. Work collaboratively to ensure the Calgary Stampede, Calgary Stampede Foundation and Sam Centre are advancing their strategic directions and priorities and meeting the goals expressed in Sam’s plans and policies.Qualifications and Experience, Knowledge, and Skills
The ideal candidate will be proactive, creative, optimistic and have worked in a dynamic environment. They will hold the following qualifications, knowledge, and skills:
3 to 5 years of curatorial experience. Postsecondary degree in the field of Museum Studies, Indigenous Studies, History, Public History, Canadian Studies, Art History, Material Culture Studies, Archeology, or any area of study related to the position is an asset. An equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered. Demonstrated record of exhibition curation and project management including: Co-creating exhibitions with community partners. Planning, coordinating and delivering exhibitions on and off site.Creating documentation, project timelines, production schedules, budgets, installation schedules.Managing projects, maintaining and meeting deadlines, with strong skills at prioritizing and multitasking.Demonstrating flexibility and resourcefulness. Anticipates needs of senior management and the department. Familiarity with audience learning styles and demonstrated experience curating exhibits to meet the needs of different audiences, interests, and abilities. Demonstrated experience using quantitative and qualitative evaluation techniques. Confident and enthusiastic communicator with an ability to connect with audiences of various ages, interests, and abilities. Demonstrated success writing for public audiences. Curious and quick learner, with demonstrated record of continuous learning in relevant fields. Motivated self-starter who can work well independently and within a team. Highly proficient in Microsoft Office applications including SharePoint. Strong working knowledge of standards of museum practice, decolonized and contemporary museum approaches, and the legal and ethical environment as it relates to museum work. An understanding of local/regional Indigenous history and familiarity with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the relevant Calls to Action for Museums. This knowledge can be through lived or worked experience, or education (or both) A valid driver's license and use of a vehicle considered an asset. Clean criminal record and vulnerable sector check.Benefits
The Calgary Stampede offers a unique and exciting work environment, an excellent total compensation package, and opportunities for advancement and employee training.
To Apply
To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.
All applicants are thanked in advance and only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
The Calgary Stampede is committed to attracting, recruiting, and selecting the best qualified people through an open and transparent recruitment and selection process. The Calgary Stampede is committed to and fully supports the principles of the Alberta Human Rights Act in all of its employment and recruitment practices.
