Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
 
Banff, AB
$19.28–$20.24 an hour - Full-time
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity
Banff, AB
$19.28–$20.24 an hour

Job details

Pay
$19.28–$20.24 an hour
Job type
Full-time
Shift and schedule
Weekends as needed
Rotating shift

Location
Banff, AB

Benefits
Pulled from the full job description
Housing allowance

Full job description
Preparator
We are looking for assistance on two installations: January 6 - February 13, 2025 and March 10 - 14, 2025.

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to inspire everyone who attends our campus – artists, leaders, and thinkers – to unleash their creative potential.

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity acknowledges, with deep respect and gratitude, our home on the side of Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain. In the spirit of respect and truth, we honour and acknowledge the Banff area, known as “Minhrpa” (translated in Stoney Nakoda as “the waterfalls”) and the Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda) – comprised of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney Nation – as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Shuswap Nations, Ktunaxa Nations, and Metis Nation of Alberta, Rockyview District 4. We acknowledge all Nations who live, work, and play here, help us steward this land, and honour and celebrate this place.

The Opportunity
We are seeking a skilled and hands-on Preparator to support the successful execution of exhibitions and events at the Walter Phillips Gallery (WPG). This role involves working closely with exhibiting artists, curators, and project teams to ensure the professional installation, de-installation, and transportation of artwork and materials. The Preparator will also assist in maintaining gallery spaces and ensure the safe handling of art collections.

We are looking for assistance on two different installations: January 6 - February 13, 2025 and March 10 - 14, 2025.

Roles and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Curator, below are some key accountabilities:

Exhibition installation & dismantling: assist the Lead Preparator with the setup and breakdown of exhibitions, including hands-on work with artists and technical support (audio/visual, lighting, didactic materials).
Artwork handling: professionally pack, unpack, and move artwork, ensuring safe transport and storage; assist with loading/unloading and inspect incoming art shipments.
Facilities management: maintain organization and security of storage and exhibition areas, ensuring safety in accordance with environmental, safety, and WHMIS policies.
Permanent collection support: assist with the installation and relocation of Permanent Collection artworks, including maintaining inventory and labels.
Qualifications and Educational Requirements
Minimum of one year of related professional experience working as a preparator.
Able to work independently or in a team-setting with a high level of attention to detail, sense of urgency, and ability to prioritize tasks and meet deadlines.
Working knowledge of museum best practices and standards in handling artworks (during transportation, unpacking, condition reporting, and hanging) and in installing and de-installing artwork (hanging, rigging, tethering systems, anchor types and installation methods, security hardware types and installation, etc.)
Working knowledge of manipulating different types of materials (wood, composites, plastics, metal, cement), audio-visual equipment, and gallery lighting (wiring/adapting fixtures, creating custom gels, knowledge of different styles of bulbs and their applications).
Excellent communication skills (written, verbal), as well as strong listening skills.
Strong organization, critical thinking, and problems solving skills.
Proficiency with moving and lift equipment including but not limited to staging dollies, a-frames, painting carts, push-around aerial lift platforms, and scissor lifts.
Due to the deadlines in the job, from time to time, the Preparator is expected to work irregular hours and weekends.
Employment Terms and Benefits
In accordance with CUPE 4318, this is a unionized, hourly support staff position, subject to a 500-hour probationary period.
This position pays between $19.28 and $20.24 per hour, depending on experience, working up to 37.5 hours per week on a rotating schedule.
This is a term position for two installations: January 6 - February 13, 2025 and March 10 - 14, 2025.
Benefits of working at Banff Centre are:
Transitional staff housing (based on availability)
Professional development
Staff cafeteria and restaurant discounts (Vistas, Maclab Bistro)
Onsite fitness facility (Fitness centre, climbing wall and pool.)
Application Process
We are accepting applications for the Preparator position until a suitable candidate has been found.
Please note Banff Centre will be closed for the holidays from December 21, 2024 to January 1, 2025. We will respond to any enquiries starting January 2, 2025.
Candidates offered a position with Banff Centre, in this capacity, will be required to obtain a criminal record check verifying a clear record before a final job offer can be finalized.
Visa Requirements: Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Banff Centre is unable to assist candidates in obtaining Canadian work authorization.
Commitment to Diversity

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is committed to creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive campus for students, faculty, staff and visitors. Guided by our values, Banff Centre is rooted in Alberta with provincial, national and global impact. Our strength arises from inclusion; the diversity of people, ideas, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds in our work and team. We encourage women; First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression to apply.

FOIP Statement

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity, through its third-party vendor, collects and stores information applicable to the candidate profile you create when you submit the information asked for above. The use and disclosure of the collected information is for the sole purpose of job search and placement activities for Banff Centre. The information is subject to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. The information will be retained and when disposed of it is done so in a secure matter.