ARTISTIC POSITION – TEMPORARY FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT - Gallery Manager

ARTISTIC POSITION – TEMPORARY FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT

March 9, 2026 – March 26, 2027

Gallery Manager

Join the hardworking and dedicated team delivering exciting arts and culture programs and activities to our community – and beyond. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Gallery Manager programs and manages all elements of the Gallery Programming for the Aurora Cultural Centre.

This temporary full-time position covers a maternity leave from March 9, 2026 – March 26, 2027 and requires the successful candidate to be available for Monday – Friday 8:30am-4:30pm with flexibility for evenings and weekends to support gallery education and events. The successful candidate will possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, have proven gallery curation and facilitation skills, be current in visual arts industry practices, well rounded in gallery administrative understanding, be a generous and compassionate team member, and proficient in handling administrative tasks.

At ACC, we embrace everyone’s uniqueness and recognize the strength that lies in differences. We believe in the power of our collective potential and strive to achieve a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace to empower and create opportunities for all. We welcome and encourage applications from all qualified candidates regardless of their gender, age, religion, race, ethnicity, and nationality. Particularly equity deserving groups, such as members of the Persons with Disabilities, Black, Indigenous, other racialized candidates and/or candidates from the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and anyone who may contribute to the further diversification of the Aurora Cultural Centre. Together we unite and inspire all Canadians to influence and affect the future of our community through the arts.

Context and Summary

The Aurora Cultural Centre operates out of Aurora Town Square, a cultural complex in a small community north of Toronto. As a resident tenant of the larger venue, we manage and program 5 galleries contained within the restored 1886 schoolhouse. The facility houses four purpose-built professional galleries and one student gallery curated by the Aurora Cultural Centre.

Guided by the Aurora Cultural Centre’s 2026-2030 vision and mandate, history, and a need to meet programming in a diversity of genres and to all age groups, the Gallery Manager supports the existing artistic vision for the gallery programs. The position operates within that vision to support the 2026 and 2027 implementation of programming in place and builds 2027 and 2028 programming to be determined. This position manages the gallery program including designing and developing exhibitions and educational programming to support the community’s greater understanding of the visual art exhibitions. The Gallery Manager must demonstrate diplomacy, tact, the ability to work well with others and delegate, as needed. The gallery programs include 5-10 gallery exhibitions (both live and digital – number of exhibits is location dependent), digital ‘Art Bytes’, and in person visits, educational programs, and artist receptions. The role works with a full-time Gallery Assistant who supports ongoing operations, and, the marketing department, and a Digital Services Specialist to support art sales and the digital aspects of the program.

As with all positions at the Centre, the Gallery Manager will be required to be flexible and punctual. This position will require the Gallery Manager to manage multiple projects simultaneously and consistently meet deadlines, and work as part of a team. The Gallery Manager will be liaising with various members of the staff team on a variety of projects. There may be periods of over-time required from time to time.

The successful candidate would be responsible for the following:

· Research, recommend and manage gallery policy

· Oversee the installation of exhibitions (hanging, openings, closings, set up, tear down) by student, emerging and professional artists in a variety of mediums

· Manage and facilitate digital capture of the exhibits

· Lead ‘Art Bytes’ digital educational videos as the public representative of the Gallery program at the Aurora Cultural Centre

· Responsible for ensuring high quality gallery programs that are diverse, accessible, and appealing to multiple audiences

· Make recommendations for creating a dynamic gallery program

· Develop and maintain working relationships with artists

· Design and implement gallery tours and educational events for every exhibition

· Schedule exhibitions; steward existing exhibitions for 2026-2027 and curate the 2027-2028 season of planning

· Manage gallery tours

· Support sales processes for artists

· Curatorial duties as required, for specific exhibitions

· Support grant writing and stewardship of sponsors/donors for gallery programs

· Design, create, review and maintain gallery submission process and templates

· Create and manage annual budget with ED and develop plans to achieve targets

· Network with artists, professionals in art industry and attend art events

· Research new artists and topics and ideas for forthcoming exhibitions

· Track statistics and KPIs for the program

· Consult and liaise with communications team on promotion for shows and exhibitions; write gallery media copy for marketing collateral

· Administrative gallery duties include but are not limited to gallery contracts, statistics, updating exhibition schedules, and researching gallery best practices

· Liaise with other groups (educational facilities, art groups, seniors/community) to create awareness of gallery programs and develop and sustain relationships

· Build relationships with other organizations to further benefit gallery programs at the Centre including collaborations with other arts organizations

· Oversee workload and processes of Gallery Assistant, as well as rotating co-op students, interns, and/or volunteers within Gallery program.

· Other duties as assigned

Education

· Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art History, or equivalent

· Training in curation an asset

Experience

· Minimum 8-10 years experience in a similar role; experience in non-traditional/informal gallery settings welcome. If you can connect your experience to the role, we welcome your application.

· Experience working directly with visual artists in building projects, creating in collaboration, or supporting their work

· Experience with a diverse cross-section of artistic genres, themes, ethnic representation, and visual arts disciplines an asset

Skills

We recognize that the applicant may not have all of these skills upon application. We welcome a growth mindset is required to grow into the skills for the role.

· Diplomacy and professionalism, especially in challenging situations

· Proven patron/artist relations skills

· Enthusiasm, creativity and strong organizational skills

· Effective communication and interpersonal skills (written and verbal)

· Ability to work in a virtual setting individually and as part of a team

· Ability to maintain project schedule and fulfill demanding deadlines

· Proven gallery production related skills

· Knowledge of Aurora an asset

· Troubleshooting skills; technical, people management, safety enforcement

How will you create impact?

· By bringing fresh, dynamic ideas to the table

· By contributing to the team with a strong and thoughtful work ethic

· By sharing your knowledge of current trends to help influence the outcomes

How will you fit into the team?

· Being outgoing and adaptable

· A resilient and flexible personality as plans can change from day-to-day

· You are a consummate professional and can represent the Aurora Cultural Centre not just creatively but also in experience, insight, and attitude.

Salary:

Salary Range: $50,000-55,000 salary range. Upon successful completion of a 3-month probation period, the successful candidate will also participate in a full suite of employee benefits including: group medical and dental benefits, an Employee Assistance Program, an employer RRSP contribution, paid personal days, paid vacation days, paid time off for 14 recognized holidays, and professional development opportunities.

Location: In person at Aurora Cultural Centre

Additional information:

All Aurora Cultural Centre employees are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. A criminal record search will be required of the successful candidate, at their own expense, that is acceptable to the Aurora Cultural Centre.

We recognize that candidates may not meet all the criteria listed in this posting. We encourage all those interested in this posting with a combination of relevant technical experience and an interest in the arts to apply.

How to apply:

Please email a resume and covering letter to Suzanne Haines, Executive Director using this link. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to prepare a sample season.

We are committed to providing a workplace that is inclusive and accessible to all. Should you require accommodation during the staffing process, please do not hesitate to contact us at 905-713-1818 or info@auroraculturalcentre.ca

We thank all applicants for their interest in joining our team, and all responses will be held in strictest confidence. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Applications deadline: January 9, 2026

About the Aurora Cultural Centre

At the Aurora Cultural Centre, we believe that arts, culture, and heritage can play a role in changing our world and our community. This is the fabric that deepens our understanding of our shared experience and creates a more compassionate society. Since 2010, the Centre has welcomed the community to create and participate in diverse experiences for all ages. We proudly program four vibrant gallery exhibition spaces, a range of instructional classes for children, teens and adults, an eclectic live music series, special family events and summer arts camps. https://auroraculturalcentre.ca