Gallery Assistant (Canada Summer Jobs)

Summer 2025 - Pending Canada Summer Jobs Funding

PoMoArts is seeking a creative, detail-oriented, and enthusiastic individual with interest in contemporary art practices to support our exhibition program. Supporting the Exhibitions Manager, this role will be involved in executing aspects of planned art exhibitions including shows for group and solo artists, scholarship recipient shows, and mentorship activities. The Gallery Assistant will support plans for 2027 exhibitions and assist with a 2026 Youth Pride exhibition. This position provides the opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience in all aspects of gallery operations with a focus on exhibition installation, community engagement, and curatorial research and development.

The Gallery Assistant position and its duration are subject to funding approval through the Canada Summer Jobs program.

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About the PoMoArts

PoMoArts, the Port Moody Arts Centre Society, is a not-for-profit community-arts organization that creates art experiences to engage, challenge, and awaken opportunities for connection. We provide art education, exhibitions, and community art experiences in the City of the Arts with various partners and artists each year.

We are supported by a thriving community of artists, volunteers, donors, businesses, associations, and decision-makers. We are an arts centre run primarily by artists, committed to developing, promoting, and celebrating meaningful arts experiences in Port Moody. We offer a full range of visual, ceramic, fibre, media, performing arts and music programs for people of all ages and experience levels. We curate exhibitions of local and regional artists, emerging and established. We create meaningful community art experiences with our partners that explore social issues, lift voices of those less heard, and support community dialogue.

Responsibilities

Reporting directly to the Exhibitions Manager, the specific responsibilities include:

• Assist with planning, coordination, and execution of gallery exhibitions and related activities;
• Support daily gallery operations, including exhibition maintenance and administrative tasks;
• Perform research for exhibitions and related programming;
• Assist with installation and de-installation of artwork;
• Assist with in-person opening receptions, artist talks, and other gallery events, including planning, set up, and take down;
• Support the creation of graphics and promotional materials for exhibitions and related programming;
• Assist in evaluating exhibitions, programs, and events through visitor feedback and internal reporting;
• Support the planning and facilitating of community engagement projects for upcoming exhibitions;

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education or demonstrated experience in fine arts, art history, arts administration, museum studies, cultural studies, or a related field;
• Strong interest in gallery programming and public engagement;
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team;
• Effective verbal and written communication skills;
• Strong organization, time management, and creative problem-solving skills with an eye for detail;
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with socially and culturally diverse audiences;
• Comfortable handling administrative tasks like scheduling, record-keeping, and general office support;
• Capacity to perform physical tasks associated with gallery installation (e.g., painting and repairing walls, moving plinths, climbing ladders);
• Visually creative, with an interest in developing and delivering hands-on art activities;
• Strong research and writing skills, with familiarity in working with academic and arts-related sources;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook);
• Ability to work flexible hours, including occasional evenings and weekends as required for gallery openings and special events;
• This position requires the completion of a successful criminal background check prior to commencing employment;

‍Assets:

• Familiarity with artwork handling and installation practices;
• Experience working with small tools (e.g., hammer, drill, utility knife) for basic installation tasks;
• Experience with designing graphics and Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign) or other photo-editing and design tools (Canva);
• Knowledge of an additional language;

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Other Eligibility Requirements for the Canada Summer Jobs Program

• Must be between 19 and 30 years of age at the start of the employment;
• Be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, for the duration of the employment;
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations;

Remuneration: $19/hour

This full-time (35 hours/week) 16-week youth employment opportunity is scheduled to take place from April 27 – August 17, 2025. The position and its duration are conditional upon Canada Summer Jobs funding.

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How to Apply

Please submit your application to submissions@pomoarts.ca, according to the following guidelines:

• PDF format only with your COVER LETTER and RESUME
• Your cover letter should clearly indicate why you are interested in this position, what you hope to learn, and what impact it will have on your professional development
• Must use “Gallery Assistant” as the subject of your email

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Application Deadline: March 16^th, 2025