Organizer Information
The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia (AGNS) is one of Canada’s leading art institutions and a major cultural organization serving Atlantic Canada. Established in 1908 as the Nova Scotia Museum of Fine Arts, it became the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia in 1975. The Gallery’s permanent collection contains nearly 20,000 works, spanning Canadian and Indigenous art, contemporary installations, and folk art, including the renowned Maud Lewis collection and her iconic painted house. AGNS is committed to research, dialogue, inclusion, and reconsidering historical and contemporary narratives through art.
Title & Description
TD Curatorial Fellow (Historical/Archival/Cultural Officer 1)
The TD Curatorial Fellow is a two-year term position within the Curatorial division of the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. Reporting to the Manager of Exhibitions, the Fellow supports the research, development, coordination, and presentation of exhibitions, particularly projects involving contemporary and Canadian art and artists historically underrepresented in museums.
The position combines curatorial research, exhibition coordination, writing, community engagement, and administrative responsibilities. A significant aspect of the role is contributing to approaches that expand narrative authority and agency for historically underrepresented communities and encourage more inclusive museum practices.
The Role Overview
- Position: TD Curatorial Fellow (Historical/Archival/Cultural Officer 1)
- Organization: Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
- Location: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
- Employment Type: Two-year term
- Union Status: NSGEU – NSPG
- Pay Grade: PR 06
- Salary: CAD $1,924.95–$2,360.46 bi-weekly
- Reporting to: Manager of Exhibitions
- Closing Date: September 8, 2026, at 11:59 PM Atlantic Time
Position & Tasks
The Fellow works closely with Curatorial and Programming teams to support exhibitions from development through public presentation. Responsibilities include liaising with artists and lenders, tracking project requirements, assisting with floor plans and exhibition design, considering interpretive requirements, and preparing exhibition-related materials.
The role also involves providing exhibition information to Education & Programming, Marketing & Visitor Experience, and Development teams for public programs, media releases, sponsorship proposals, and related activities. The Fellow may assist with institutional partnerships and touring exhibitions.
Additional responsibilities include conducting research for acquisitions, preparing materials for the Curatorial Committee, and writing texts for publications, interpretive panels, grant proposals, reports, and online projects. The Fellow engages with historically underrepresented communities and represents AGNS at openings, talks, public events, panels, juries, and seminars.
Administrative duties include assisting the Manager of Exhibitions with loan requests, exhibition proposals, touring projects, and contracts involving artists and arts professionals.
Categories
- Visual Art
- Curatorial Practice
- Contemporary Art
- Canadian Art
- Art History
- Museum Studies
- Exhibition Development
- Cultural Research
- Arts Administration
Eligibility
Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and at least one year of related experience, or demonstrate an accepted education-and-experience equivalency. The position is specifically designated for individuals who are members of an employee equity group.
AGNS encourages applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and other racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and women in occupations or positions where they are underrepresented. Applicants may self-identify through the electronic application.
Knowledge of fine-art processes, art history, art education, curatorial practices, and exhibition methods is required. Excellent communication, interpersonal, public-speaking, diplomatic, and culturally sensitive engagement skills are also expected. Familiarity with Atlantic Canadian, national, and international arts communities is beneficial. Bilingualism is considered an asset.
Program Benefits
This is a paid professional curatorial fellowship/employment opportunity with a two-year term. The position offers practical experience in exhibition development, curatorial research, collection-related research, museum interpretation, artist relations, community engagement, and cultural programming.
Employees receive benefits based on employment status and the applicable union agreement, including a defined-benefit pension plan, health and dental coverage, life insurance, disability benefits, vacation, and employee and family assistance programs.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 8 September 2026
- Employment Duration: Two years
- Start Date: Determined according to the successful candidate’s appointment/start date
Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Additional Details
This is a bargaining-unit position initially restricted to current Art Gallery of Nova Scotia employees represented by NSGEU. External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if no qualified AGNS bargaining-unit candidate is available.
Incomplete applications may not receive consideration. Employment is conditional upon satisfactory background checks and credential verification. Accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process for candidates who require it under applicable human-rights protections.