Assistant Conservator, Time-Based Media

Assistant Conservator, Time-Based Media

Regular Full-Time Permanent (35 hours per week)

Toronto, ON

ART + AUDIENCE + LEARNING

Are you energized by the idea of working in Canada’s leading art museum, surrounded by great art, award-winning programs and big ideas? Would you thrive working with colleagues who are leaders in their field, from a variety of professional backgrounds? Do you believe art has the power to spark conversation, create community and change lives?

Located in Toronto, the Art Gallery of Ontario (“the AGO”) is one of the largest art museums in North America, with a collection of close to 100,000 works. Through the collection as well as collaborations with leading museums around the world, the AGO presents wide-ranging exhibitions and programs. With more than 1 million visitors in 2017/18, the AGO is further broadening its reach by deepening relationships with existing members and visitors, attracting new and diverse audiences, and flexibly responding to the changing environment. With an operating budget of over $60 million, over 600 employees, and 400 volunteers, the AGO continues to build a high-performance culture as an employer-of-choice, with strong staff and volunteer satisfaction and engagement aligned to the AGO’s compelling mission to bring art and people together to see, experience and understand the world in new ways.

The AGO is at a critical and exciting moment of growth and change. We are seeking a Regular Full-Time Assistant Conservator, Time-Based Media to join our Conservation team. Under the direction of the Head of Conservation, the incumbent will prolong the physical and aesthetic life of works of time-based media (TBM) art through documentation. He/She/They will promote and advocate the preservation of works in the collection or in the temporary custody of the Gallery. The incumbent will also provide advice and expertise concerning the aesthetic, conceptual and physical characteristics of works of art.

The ideal candidate will be a passionate professional with a deep knowledge and strong interest in all aspects of Conservation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Assists with the development and implementation of institutional policies, best practices, protocols and workflows for preservation of TBM works with the goal of achieving a sustainable cross-departmental approach to managing, storing, accessing, and preserving them.
• Works with conservators, media technicians, I.T and other stakeholders to ensure the institution is equipped for the purposes of documenting, examining, maintaining, preserving, and repairing TBM.
• Performs technical examination, documentation, and treatment of TBM works, including film, video, multimedia software, html interactives, web-based art, and any digital formats that may emerge, and prepares condition reports as required, and develops individualized preservation plans for TBM works.

Our ideal candidate will have the following skills and experience:

• Master’s degree from a recognized conservation training program.
• Two years’ experience in the conservation of time-based media in a museum setting or equivalent.
• Knowledge of artist interview practice and experience engaging with artists and their studios.
• Knowledge and experience of condition assessment and installation of current and historic media technologies in audio, video, film, and software/computer-based art.
• Knowledge of the theory and practice of conservation documentation related to time-based media, installation, and performance art.
• Knowledge of the “Code of Ethics and Guidance for Practice” of the Canadian Association for Conservation of Cultural Property (CAC) and of the Canadian Association of Professional Conservators (CAPC).
• Ability to perform delicate operations affecting the condition and appearance of works of art with precision.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and problem-solving skills
• English language proficiency required.

Compensation & Benefits

• Annual base salary range of CDN $60,660 - $75,803 per annum based on qualifications, skills, and experience
• Annual wage increases are available
• Medical Benefits, Dental Benefits, Vision Care Benefits
• Long term disability insurance and Life Insurance Benefits
• Group insurance benefits
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Plan
• Pension Plan upon completion of one (1) year of service
• Relocation allowance to be considered
• Paid overtime
• Paid vacation days
• Discounts from the Provincial/City Reciprocal Agreements (Free admission to museums, the CN Tower & discounts off amusement parks, city attractions, hotels, wine tours, Second City, the Ontario Science Centre, and much more!)
• Discounts to GoodLife Fitness
• Free tickets to every major exhibit at AGO

We invite individuals who reflect the diversity of our visitors to apply by submitting a tailored cover letter, resume and a portfolio with three treatments and examples of their completed research via our website: https://ago.ca/jobs-and-volunteering.

We thank all applicants but must advise that only those selected for interviews will be contacted.

The Art Gallery of Ontario is located at:

317 Dundas Street West

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

M5T 1G4