Artistic Director - Freelance

The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery at Harbourfront Centre is Canada's leading public gallery devoted exclusively to the art of our time and is recognized as an important centre for contemporary art in North America. Since 1987, The Power Plant's mission has been to create an open culture and community for people to be face-to-face with thought-provoking contemporary art and ideas. We have a culturally diverse workforce and audience whose lives and communities we seek to enrich through encouraging exploration of self and society. More than a gallery, The Power Plant is a community hub that caters to adults, youth, and children through broad and unique programming. We are seeking a dynamic, on-the-pulse, visionary, and collaborative Artistic Director responsible for delivering the gallery's mission, programming and performance targets, and contributing to strategic planning, organizational management and the overall development of The Power Plant. Working in close collaboration with colleagues across the organization, as well as external partners and artists, the Artistic Director ensures that projects align with, and advance the gallery's institutional objectives, distinguishing it within the cultural sector and beyond.
Position Title: Artistic Director
Curator of Exhibitions, Curator of Programs and Outreach, Manager of Installation and Facilities, Registrar, Publications Officer, Associate Curators and Fellows
Type of Employment: Full-time
Hybrid work environment (currently onsite 3+ days per week)

The Artistic Director works closely with the Executive Director on the artistic program of the gallery and leads the practical delivery of The Power Plant's exhibitions, publications and public programs. The Artistic Director is also responsible for overseeing the delivery of performances and other events, with significant curatorial input on these aspects of the programme. Additionally, this role manages the gallery's archive and the documentation of programs with support from the Curatorial team. This position is central to The Power Plant's work with a diverse mix of emerging and established artists with an aim to support artists, curators, writers and thinkers at different stages of their careers who reflect social and political histories and explore contemporary themes in their practice.
As an active member of the senior management team, contributes to the gallery's organizational leadership, strategic planning and review.
Develops and implements an exhibitions program strategy and management of multiyear exhibition planning.
Oversees all curatorial and logistical aspects, including approval by the Executive Director of exhibition layouts and design of all exhibitions and commissions.
Works with the Executive Director to set the direction and master calendar for exhibition.Ensures that TPP's diversity and inclusion aims and objectives are at the forefront of the artistic programme and TPP as a whole.
Deputizes for the Executive Director on exhibition-related and other matters as required.
Develops effective working relationships across the gallery to discuss, plan and integrate TPP's curatorial programme across all areas of TPP.
Develops and maintains local, national and international professional networks with artists, gallery professionals, funders, and other institutions to develop working relationships beneficial to The Power Plant, the delivery of the artistic programme and to raising the reputational profile of the gallery.
Works with the Development team on funding applications to support the artistic program and with the Marketing, Communications & Visitor Experience team to contribute to communications, media strategy, and identity for exhibitions and wider seasons.
Ensures processes for archiving materials after each exhibition and event are followed and that processes are reviewed periodically; line manages the Registrar ensuring the maintenance and development of TPP's digital archive resources.
recruits, monitors and manages curatorial staff in line with relevant organizational policies and procedures.
Oversees the management of freelance artists, technicians and other contractors engaged to support the delivery of TPP's program.
Manages finances of the Curatorial Department, controlling budgets as agreed with the Executive Director, authorizing expenditure, monitoring and reporting on budgets and taking action to deal with identified variances.
Represents The Power Plant at various professional, business and social functions. Serves on various cultural/visual arts committees as the official gallery representative, ensuring a professional reputation for the gallery.
On occasion as needed, performs special projects and other duties of a similar nature or level assigned by the Executive Director.
5 years of progressively senior experience in a visual arts organization.

• A postgraduate degree in art history, visual arts or related field.
• Demonstrated excellence in history of exhibitions and critical writing.
• Ability to develop short- and long-term plans for the artistic direction of the gallery.
• Credibility and extensive knowledge of national and international contemporary arts.
• Demonstrable ability to create and develop innovative exhibition and education and public programs, fundraising, membership and marketing strategies.
• Outstanding relationship-management skills, including the ability to work closely and collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders including staff, senior volunteers, external partners and artists.
• Creative and innovative thinker with a high level of critical and logical thinking.
• Ability to write and speak French fluently is considered an asset.

Brave To achieve our bold ambition we empower and support imaginative risk and we always try to learn from our mistakes.
The Power Plant is committed to diversity an inclusiveness. Please quote TPP Artistic Director in the subject line of your application.
Suitable accommodations will be available upon request during the hiring process.