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 has been on a mission 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. It is a window into a diverse range of ideas and perspectives that inspire unlimited personal discovery. To learn more about us, please visit us at www.thepowerplant.org.
We are currently looking for a responsible, courteous and enthusiastic Lead Gallery Attendant with strong communication skills to provide great front line service to visitors, and to encourage meaningful public engagement with contemporary art through daily interaction, tours, and public programs.
Position Title: Lead Gallery Attendant
Reporting to: Visitor Services Coordinator
Direct Reports: Gallery Attendants, Volunteers
Type of Employment: Part-Time, up to 40 hours per week
Compensation: $17-$20 per hour
SUMMARY OF FUNCTION:
The Lead Gallery Attendant is responsible for a number of important functions including, but not limited to, welcoming and orienting visitors in the space and exhibitions; answering visitor questions; guiding tours; enhancing the visitor experience by encouraging conversation and engagement with art and ideas; monitoring the galleries for security; communicating visitor feedback/needs to their supervisor; data collection; working special events; and, other administrative tasks. The Lead Gallery Attendant will open and close the galleries systematically on a day-today basis, coordinating the workflow of other Gallery Attendants (GAs) on duty, and is the first point of contact for
the Gallery Attendant team for problem solving (customer service, resolving CRM issues, etc.). The Lead Gallery Attendant manages the Gallery Attendant team, participates in hiring interviews together with the Head of Public Programs & Outreach and Visitor Services Coordinator. The Lead Gallery Attendant will also take part in the annual evaluation process of the Gallery Attendants.
DUTIES:
Welcomes and orients patrons and visitors to the gallery; collect admissions (as needed), conduct tours,
and provide visitors with information concerning current and upcoming exhibitions, education and public
programs, membership, special events, and general information.
Supervises the entrances and all areas of the exhibitions to enhance the visitor experience, encourage
conversation and engagement, enforces gallery rules, and maintains proper gallery capacity. Coordinates
the daily rotation of all GAs and, when scheduled, supervises Volunteer Gallery Assistants.
Conducts extensive research on the exhibiting artists and exhibition themes in advance of and during the
exhibition period.
Prepares and leads thoughtful and intelligent tours, and maintain a comprehensive knowledge and in-depth
understanding of the artist and themes in the exhibition to facilitate discussion and meaningful engagement
with viewers.
Performs opening and closing duties including turning on and off works in the exhibition and ensuring all
visitors have exited the Gallery upon closing; counts the float at open and close; reconciles sales and
completes the daily deposit, and keeps front of house tidy.
Performs daily sales transactions for attendance, publication, merchandise, editions, event tickets, and
membership using the point of sales software, Tessitura.
Captures names, addresses, and postal codes from visitors for the gallery’s database to extend engagement,
encourage lasting connections, and for future marketing and development needs.
Examines the exhibitions on a daily basis and, if finding artwork that is malfunctioning or damaged, either
performs corrective action or submits incident reports to appropriate staff in a timely manner.
Performs administrative/clerical tasks including writing reports related to exhibition maintenance,
attendance, and audience response; assisting in mailings; assisting during periodic and annual inventory.
Replenishes publication and merchandise stock in the shop, as needed, as well as replenishes gallery
ephemera, program guides, educational hand-outs, and gallery surveys at the front desk and in other areas.
Provides staffing assistance for public programs and events as needed, including the annual Power Ball,
member events, and revenue generation events, during which duties may also include selling drink tickets,
preventing drinks/food from entering specified areas, taking photographs, etc.
Other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS:
An in-depth understanding of contemporary art.
Experience supervising others performing similar duties.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Polite and pleasant mannerism, with ability to be courteous to all gallery visitors.
Ability to work a flexible schedule which may include weekend or evening work at events as required.
Strong work ethic, dependable, responsible and prompt.
Strong public speaking abilities for leading tours and introducing speakers and making presentations for
visitors.
Strong interpersonal skills; enjoys working with the public.
Excellent research skills.
Ability to operate audio/visual and other exhibition equipment as well as computer, cash drawer, receipt
printer, photocopier, and other office equipment.
Excellent data entry and computer skills (Microsoft Office, database programs).
An understanding of, and commitment to The Power Plant’s mission and values.
Knowledge of language(s) other than English is desirable.
Familiarity with CRM software is considered an asset.
The Power Plant recognizes its heightened duty to protect employees from health and safety risks during
the current pandemic. As such, an offer of employment shall be conditional on proof of full COVID-19
vaccination with a vaccine series approved by Health Canada or the World Health Organization.
This role is based in Toronto at Harbourfront Centre’s lakeside campus.
Must be legally eligible to work in Canada. All international applicants must have a valid employment Visa
authorizing their ability to work in Canada on an ongoing basis.
HOW TO APPLY:
The Power Plant is committed to diversity an inclusiveness. We encourage qualified applicants from all backgrounds to apply. Acceptable applications must include a current resume and a cover letter indicating why you wish to join the team, how you meet the essential criteria for this role, and your salary expectation. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply by contacting jobs@harbourfrontcentre.com by no later than January
28, 2022. Please quote Lead Gallery Attendant in the subject line of your application.
We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those being considered for an interview will be contacted. Suitable accommodations will be available upon request during the hiring process
