About the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie
Rooted in place for the Peace Region and Treaty 8 territory, the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie (AGGP) enriches our community by stewarding cultural heritage and celebrating contemporary ideas. One of the largest square footage art galleries in Alberta, the AGGP hosts exhibitions, educational programs, and is home to the Alberta Foundation for the Arts Travelling Exhibition Program (TREX Northwest). In addition, the AGGP cares for a permanent collection of approximately 850 primarily local works of art. Strict adherence to climate and security controls has earned the Gallery a “Category A” designation by the Movable Cultural Properties Directorate of Canadian Heritage, permitting the AGGP to preserve and exhibit artworks to the highest of national standards.
About the Position
The Gallery Attendant is the face of the Art Gallery of Grande Prairie. Reporting to the Operations and Executive Coordinator, the Gallery Attendant is the primary staff member at our reception desk and first point of contact for visitors and callers to the Gallery. They greet visitors, assist with general office tasks, provide stellar customer service, and help to curate visitor experience while at AGGP. The Gallery Attendant also works in the exhibition spaces as a docent, providing educational tours and animating our programming. They meet guests where they’re at and provide key contextual information so visitors have the tools and support they need to navigate the Gallery. While on the Gallery floor, they monitor artworks and guide guests on proper interaction and viewing protocols. The successful candidate is a people-person who values connection, learning, and believes in the power of art. This position is for 35 hours per week from Tuesday to Saturday. The term for this position has the possibility of being renewed.
Key Responsibilities
● 50 % Reception and Visitor Experience
○ Work from the front reception desk, creating a welcoming, friendly, and professional environment for guests and visitors of the Gallery.
○ Maintain lobby and reception desk tidiness, keeping the area organized and replenish public information and literature displays.
○ Answer a wide range of general questions from visitors, in person, by phone and email. Exercise discretion in forwarding them on to the appropriate staff/departments.
○ Maintain a fundamental level of knowledge about the Gallery’s history, exhibitions, and programs.
○ Fulfill basic office duties like handling mail, filing, etc.
○ Assist with data entry for program, sponsorship, and marketing statistics.
○ Assist with basic administrative tasks.
○ Cash handling and transactions, perform opening and closing procedures as specified.
○ Monitor the Carlstrom Family Creativity Space, ensure its cleanliness and restock materials as needed.
○ Monitor the safety and security of exhibitions by video surveillance from the desk and on the floor.
● 50% Gallery Docent
○ Respond in a warm and welcoming manner to all visitor questions.
○ Maintain a detailed understanding of current exhibitions and be able to maintain conversations with visitors, from a short 30-second description to a 15-minute, in-depth chat.
○ Circulate the Gallery to monitor the space and artworks; inform guests on proper interaction and viewing protocols.
○ Act as a facilitator in creating connections between the people we serve and the art they engage with in their time at the Gallery.
○ Be prepared to offer tours of the Gallery and provide context on artists, artworks and shows.
Qualifications
● Post-Secondary training in Art History, Office Administration, Communications, Fine Arts, Museums Studies, or another related discipline, along with at least two years of related experience in a customer service position, or equivalent education and experience.
● A friendly, engaging, enthusiastic personality.
● The successful candidate is keen to learn about the art world and AGGP’s role in arts and culture, while also being passionate about building relationships with our patrons.
Skills You Bring
● Required
○ Strong customer service and office administration skills.
○ The ability to work independently and as part of a team and to respond to changing priorities.
○ Excellent verbal communication, writing and editing; good organizational, creative thinking, problem solving, and interpersonal skills.
○ Flexible, discreet, and able to maintain confidential information, knowledge of correct protocol for specific situations.
○ Comfortable with public speaking and creating genuine connections with our clientele while gathering demographic and qualitative data.
○ Demonstrated ability to use Microsoft Office applications, as well as Google Suite.
○ Demonstrated high energy level and flexibility, a pleasant persona coupled with sound judgment.
○ The ability to work well in a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural environment.
● Assets
○ Experience with childcare, primary education, and working with seniors.
○ Knowledge of social media marketing and an understanding of web-based writing and communications.
○ Knowledge of the Adobe Creative Suite.
● Training and certification that you will receive
○ SAN’YAS Indigenous Cultural Safety Training
○ WHMIS
○ First Aid
○ Vulnerable Sector Check
Work Environment:
● This position involves both onsite program facilitation (tours, workshops, etc.), with weekend and evening hours required.
● The role involves physical activity, such as setting up art supplies, spending extended periods standing and walking, and lifting up to 50 lbs.
The Art Gallery of Grande Prairie is an inclusive and equal opportunity employer.
Pay: $18.00 per hour
Expected hours: 35.0 per week
Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (preferred)
Experience:
- Customer service: 2 years (required)
Work Location: In person
