Curator, Indigenous Cultures Priority hiring will be given to a member of an Indigenous community Reference No.: 201909E

Organization

McCord Museum

Job Type

Permanent

Language Required

French or English

Location

Montréal, QU

Application Deadline

30/MM/YYYY

Job Start Date

Fall 2019

Date Posted

14/08/2019

Email

rh.mccord@mccord-stewart.ca

Website

https://www.musee-mccord.qc.ca/en/job-and-internships/

Salary

Commensurate with experience with competitive benefits

Job Description

The McCord Museum is the museum of all Montrealers, a social history museum that celebrates life in Montreal, both past and present—its history, its people, and its communities. Open to the city and the world, the Museum presents exciting exhibitions, educational programming and cultural activities that offer a contemporary perspective on history, engaging visitors from Montreal, Canada and beyond. It is home to over 1.5 million artefacts, that make up one of the largest historical collections in North America, comprising Dress, Fashion and Textiles, Photography, Indigenous Cultures, Paintings, Prints and Drawings, Decorative Arts, and Textual Archives. McCord Museum: Our People, Our Stories.

All of the Museum’s activities revolve around six core values: rigour, integrity, inclusion, audacity, creativity and commitment.

The McCord Museum is seeking a
Curator, Indigenous Cultures
Priority hiring will be given to a member of an Indigenous community
Reference No.: 201909E

The McCord Museum seeks an inspiring Curator, Indigenous Cultures, to revisit and solidify the relevance of its outstanding collection. The Curator will take leadership in working with Indigenous peoples and communities as well as with museum staff to ensure that Museum collections and public programmes reflect contemporary concerns as well as historic experiences, and to ensure that the collections are cared for and programmes developed in a culturally sensitive way. The Curator will be committed to furthering general knowledge and understanding of the importance of objects of Indigenous culture, and will act as spokesperson for the collection and Indigenous interests in relation to it.

Reporting to the Head, Collections and Research, the Curator, Indigenous Cultures assumes curatorial responsibility for and oversees the full spectrum of activities relating to the McCord Museum’s Indigenous Cultures collection, its development, dissemination, and relevance to communities of origin and other audiences in keeping with the institution’s mandate.

Summary of duties and responsibilities

• Determine direction for the McCord Museum’s Indigenous Cultures Collection
• Receive and assess donations for their value to the collection; actively pursue relevant donations where appropriate;
• Carry out research that advances the knowledge base constituted and served by the collection;
• Develop innovative projects for the dissemination of the collection with communities of origin and beyond which may include digital initiatives, public programming and exhibitions or other means; develop content for these projects;
• Work as a collaborative curatorial team member in all aspects of exhibition development for relevant projects;
• Develop and cultivate a network of Indigenous community representatives, other institutions, partners, and professionals whose interests relate to or support those of the McCord Museum;
• Maintain relations with communities of origin, stakeholders, and potential partners;
• Disseminate research through lectures, interviews, public presentations, scholarly papers, or other activities;
• Act as a resource person for best practices regarding the collection;
• Respond to specific internal and external research requests relating to Museum holdings;
• Participate in fundraising and promotional activities for both the McCord Museum and its Foundation as required;
• Carry out various related administrative tasks.

Employment conditions

• Full-time and permanent position, Beginning in fall 2019;
• 6 months’ probation period;
• Compensation commensurate with experience with competitive benefits.

Qualifications and profile preferred

• Degree in a related field (anthropology, Indigenous studies, art history, public history);
• 5 years experience in museum, gallery or cultural organization, working with collections;
• Knowledge of Indigenous objects through practical experience or familiarity with traditional practices is an asset;
• Established networks and experience in relationship building with Indigenous communities;
• A firm grasp of critical issues in reconciliation of Indigenous cultures within museum institutions, and a willingness to lead in encouraging new ways of working;
• Good knowledge of Office Suite and data base software or willingness to learn;
• Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing, ideally in both English and French; knowledge of Indigenous language is an asset;
• Ability to work under direction and in a team environment.

Applications for the position will be accepted until September 9, 2019 (Ref.: #201909E). Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by email. Please provide: 1) Letter of intent 2) Curriculum vitae 3) Salary expectations
Forward to the Human Resources Department by e-mail: rh.mccord@mccord-stewart.ca

For details on the McCord Museum, please visit the McCord website at www.mccord-museum.qc.ca
Although we thank all applicants for their interest, only selected candidates will be contacted for an interview.