Director/Curator, Joan and Martin Goldfarb Gallery

York University

York University invites applications and nominations for the position of Director/Curator of the Joan and Martin Goldfarb Gallery, one of Canada’s leading university-based contemporary art galleries.

Located in Toronto, York University is one of Canada’s largest universities, home to more than 55,000 students across eleven Faculties. The University is recognized for its commitment to access, excellence, interdisciplinary work, social justice, and engagement with local and global communities. The Gallery is a supported unit of York University and is situated within the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design, a dynamic creative environment bringing together artists, designers, performers, filmmakers, scholars, and cultural leaders.

The Gallery is a publicly funded, not-for-profit contemporary art gallery dedicated to the creation, presentation, and critical appreciation of art and culture. It presents leading Canadian and international contemporary artists through exhibitions, publications, educational programs, and community-engaged initiatives, with a strong commitment to socially engaged practice. It also advances curatorial work, scholarly research, and public access to York University’s art collection while serving campus and community audiences.

The Gallery is entering an important new chapter. Formerly the Art Gallery of York University, it has been transformed into the Joan and Martin Goldfarb Gallery, supported by a major philanthropic gift and a new stand-alone building at the heart of York’s Keele Campus. Designed by Hariri Pontarini Architects, the new Gallery was conceived as an accessible space for the creation, exhibition, and appreciation of diverse art and culture. The facility gives York an expanded platform for contemporary art, artistic research, public engagement, and cultural dialogue.

Reporting to the Dean of the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design, the Director/Curator will provide artistic leadership, strategic vision, and operational management for the Gallery. Serving as the Gallery’s chief ambassador locally, nationally, and internationally, the Director/Curator will oversee exhibitions, collections, acquisitions, programming, budgets, daily operations, and public engagement, while advancing the Gallery’s mandate in collaboration with the Goldfarb Gallery Advisory Board.

The Director/Curator will develop a forward-looking strategic plan to ensure that the Gallery remains a leading public university art gallery; provide curatorial vision for exhibitions and related programming; strengthen relationships across York University; and deepen the Gallery’s role as a resource for teaching, research, experiential education, and community engagement. The role will also involve building relationships with artists, critics, curators, art historians, donors, arts councils, and cultural institutions in Canada and internationally.

This is a significant leadership opportunity for a curator and arts leader who can combine curatorial vision with institutional stewardship. The successful candidate will bring a strong understanding of contemporary artistic practice and current trends in the art world, alongside a commitment to gallery and museum education, public programming, research, and collaboration with the broader university community. They will lead the Gallery team, cultivate an accountable culture, and strengthen the Gallery’s visibility through exhibitions, publications, partnerships, digital outreach, and public-facing initiatives.

The ideal candidate will hold a Master’s degree in a relevant discipline and bring at least five years of experience in management and curatorial work in a public museum or art gallery. They will have experience leading innovation, managing significant budgets, and contributing to fundraising and friend-raising initiatives. Experience working within, or a strong appreciation for, a university environment is required, along with the ability to build effective partnerships across cultural, community, government, institutional, and international contexts.

The next Director/Curator will be an engaging leader with a clear passion for the public mission and value of museums and contemporary art galleries. They will be a strategic thinker, a transparent colleague, a consensus builder, and a visionary curator committed to innovation in exhibitions, collections, teaching, research, and digital dissemination. They will bring strong communication, fundraising, partnership, and administrative skills, as well as a demonstrated commitment to inclusive participation, diverse perspectives, and mission-driven leadership.

Applications should consist of a full curriculum vitae and a cover letter briefly outlining how the candidate’s previous experience is suitable for this role, why the appointment is of interest, and what they believe they can contribute to the role. Further information, including a full position description and selection criteria, as well as details on how to apply, can be found at https://apptrkr.com/7238622 quoting reference number 8445. The deadline….

York University has a policy on Accommodation in Employment for Persons with Disabilities and is committed to working towards a barrier-free workplace and expanding the accessibility of the workplace to persons with disabilities. Candidates requiring accommodation during the recruitment process are encouraged to indicate this and all reasonable accommodation will be provided.

York University is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and decolonization, and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Applications are particularly encouraged from candidates who are Indigenous, Black, racialized, persons with disabilities, women, 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and perspectives.

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