Director and Chief Curator position

The Faculty of Arts at The University of British Columbia (UBC)—Vancouver campus invites applications for the position of Director and Chief Curator, Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery, with an anticipated start date as early as July 1, 2020. This directorship appointment is expected to be for an initial five-year term, with the possibility of reappointment upon successful review. The successful candidate must also be appointable at a senior professorial rank in order to hold a concurrent academic appointment.

Founded as the UBC Fine Arts Gallery in 1948, the Belkin Gallery has an international reputation for its innovative work in the field of contemporary art and houses one of the largest public collections of art in British Columbia and a substantial archive. The Gallery plays a key role in an ambitious outdoor art plan for the Vancouver campus.

Reporting to the Dean of the Faculty of Arts, the Director/Chief Curator of the Morris and Helen Belkin Art Gallery 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/Chief 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 is expected to have a strong record in scholarly and curatorial practices in contemporary art, experience in museum and collections management and working in a gallery/museum environment, a commitment to and proven ability in fundraising, liaising with different levels of government, and grant writing, critical writing skills, and demonstrated leadership and administrative skills and experience including effectiveness in leading, managing and working with a team of professional staff. In addition, the successful candidate will have an excellent record of high quality undergraduate and graduate teaching, and graduate supervision, and will be expected to teach and supervise graduate students in the Department of Art History, Visual Art & Theory (AHVA) ahva.ubc.ca, including course offerings in the Critical and Curatorial Studies Program (CCST) and leading the CCST Practicum. 

Applicants with a PhD degree or appropriate terminal degree are preferred, but a combination of education and appropriate curatorial and publishing experience would be considered. We seek applicants with a distinguished record of research publications, creative works, and/or professional contributions and scholarly activity commensurate with appointment at the rank of Professor (Associate Professor at a senior level may be considered), and scholars who will have attained wide recognition, nationally and internationally, in their field(s). 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 by 4pm, February 10, 2020 at ardo.air.arts.ubc.ca. Enquiries may be directed to Associate Dean Gillian Creese, via email (arts.headships [​at​] ubc.ca) with “BELKIN director search” in the subject line. Review of applications will begin in February 2020 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.

Applicants are required to visit artsfoa.sites.olt.ubc.ca to obtain the full version of this job posting.