Casual Gallery Assistant – Walter Phillips Gallery

Job Description

The Opportunity

The Walter Phillips Gallery (WPG) at Banff Centre is looking for a casual Gallery Assistant to be the public face of the Gallery by providing tours and acting as interpreter for WPG exhibitions during opening hours. The Gallery Assistant will care for the artwork in the exhibition, perform various administrative duties as needed to support the WPG team, as well as will provide security for the Gallery and be responsible for the maintenance of the public area of WPG.

Specific Accountabilities

Reporting to the Curator, below are some key responsibilities:

– Carry out research on exhibitions and artists, assist in developing interpretive material and educational information on Gallery programming for visitors and groups
– Implement strategies for WPG tours, develop written content, and provide interpretive information
– Staff the Gallery during public hours, including weekends
– Answer all inquiries to the WPG email account, including requests for information and research on the Permanent Collection
– Interact with visitors, give in-person and virtual tours of the exhibitions and other public events, answer visitors’ questions, and follow-up on queries as appropriate
– Responsible for security of the Gallery exhibition space and visitors; ensure that artwork is presented in its ultimate condition, and ensure that technical equipment related to the exhibition is fully functioning at all times
– Assist with general administration of the gallery, including drafting templated agreements, correspondence, and collections management duties
– Responsible for recording daily attendance, as well as details on all Gallery events, tracking this information for reporting purposes
– Responsible for organizing, preparing, and completing Gallery mail-outs and publications in a timely fashion and for updating and maintaining mailing lists for the Walter Phillips Gallery and the Banff International Curatorial Institute
– Responsible for workshop registration for Gallery programs, as well as assisting with the organizing and hosting of Gallery receptions
– Assist in organizing and hosting Gallery receptions and events, including facilitating internal bookings
– Organize WPG artist travel and accommodation, travel itineraries, studio visits and schedules. Liaises with WPG artists to collect required registration details, creates, revises and distributes artist information packages, including acceptance and welcome packages, ensuring information is accurate and up-to-date at all times
– Responsible for maintaining and archiving both electronic and hardcopy filing of WPG, BICI, and Visual Arts special projects program material. The incumbent manages digital media, ensures proper labeling and maintenance of the Gallery’s image and media archives; is responsible for sending digital files, photos and publicity material to the artist and lenders after the close of each exhibition
– Process payments to artists, guest curators and WPG contractors, as well as for other departmental expenses
– Compile WPG statistics and prepares an annual gallery activity report. Locates support and other materials and information as requested
– On occasion may be asked to assist with installations as required under the direction of the Preparator