Job Opportunity: Curator
Ukrainian Museum of Canada | Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Position: Full-time, three-year contract, with the possibility of renewal subject to confirmation of continued funding.
Salary: Starting salary of $60,000–$65,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience, with opportunities for progression under the Museum’s established compensation framework.
Reports to: Executive Director and CEO
Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Application Deadline: Monday, November 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST.
The Ukrainian Museum of Canada invites applications for the position of Curator. This full-time, three-year position is supported by the Shevchenko Foundation’s Temerty Sustainability Program.
Founded in 1936, the Ukrainian Museum of Canada is one of Canada’s leading institutions dedicated to Ukrainian art, culture, and heritage. Its collection of more than 12,000 objects encompasses traditional arts, textiles, material culture, and works of historical and contemporary significance.
As the Museum enters its tenth decade, we are expanding our curatorial and research capacity. We seek an accomplished, intellectually curious curator who can develop ambitious exhibitions, conduct original research, and bring fresh perspectives to the interpretation of Ukrainian and Ukrainian Canadian art, history, and material culture.
The successful candidate will bring scholarly expertise, creative vision, and a strong aesthetic sensibility, along with excellent communication and organizational skills. They will be capable of leading complex curatorial projects while working collaboratively with colleagues to develop exhibitions and programs that reflect the Museum’s mission and institutional priorities.
The Ukrainian Museum of Canada operates with a small, collaborative team in which all staff contribute to the practical work of delivering exhibitions, programs, and events. This is a hands-on position requiring flexibility, initiative, and a willingness to assist with exhibition installation and deinstallation, event setup, welcoming guests, and other tasks essential to the Museum’s work.
Key Responsibilities
Exhibitions and Research
- Lead the research, development, and delivery of original exhibitions, working collaboratively with Museum colleagues from initial concept through installation.
- Conduct independent scholarly and object-based research, contributing to the documentation, interpretation, and understanding of the Museum’s collections.
- Develop compelling exhibition narratives and produce high-quality interpretive texts, scholarly essays, and publications.
- Manage exhibition projects from concept through installation, including budgets, schedules, loans, and coordination with artists and external partners.
- Contribute to long-term curatorial planning, touring exhibitions, and the development of the Museum’s research priorities.
Artist Relations and Public Programming
- Work directly with artists participating in the Museum’s Artist-in-Residence program, supporting the development and presentation of their work.
- Develop and deliver engaging public lectures, gallery talks, exhibition tours, and other presentations for diverse audiences.
- Plan, coordinate, and deliver guest lectures, artist talks, panel discussions, and other scholarly and cultural programs, working collaboratively with Museum staff on all aspects of their implementation.
- Build relationships with artists, scholars, museums, archives, and cultural institutions in Canada, Ukraine, and internationally.
Supervision and Collaboration
- Supervise and mentor summer students, interns, and temporary staff assigned to curatorial and research projects, providing direction, training, and feedback.
- Work closely with the Executive Director and colleagues across the Museum on exhibition planning, curatorial direction, interpretation, and design, contributing expertise and creative ideas while incorporating institutional and team perspectives.
- Contribute to institutional planning, funding proposals, and other initiatives that advance the Museum’s mission.
Required Qualifications
- A master’s degree or higher in art history, museum studies, cultural anthropology, ethnography, Ukrainian studies, history, or a closely related discipline.
- A proven record of independently curating and delivering complex exhibitions in a museum, gallery, or comparable cultural institution.
- Demonstrated knowledge of Ukrainian art, material culture, ethnography, or related cultural and historical fields.
- Strong independent research skills, including experience with primary sources, collections-based research, and scholarly writing.
- Demonstrated creative vision and strong aesthetic judgment in exhibition development, design, and interpretation.
- Excellent writing, public speaking, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences.
- Strong organizational and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects, budgets, priorities, and deadlines independently.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with artists and colleagues, and to supervise, mentor, and support students or emerging professionals.
- Knowledge of professional museum standards, collections care, and ethical curatorial practice.
Additional Assets
- Specialized knowledge of Ukrainian textiles, embroidery, weaving, traditional dress, or related textile traditions.
- Proficiency in Ukrainian, particularly reading and research skills.
- Experience with contemporary art, artist residencies, and interdisciplinary curatorial practice.
- Experience producing scholarly publications, exhibition catalogues, or touring exhibitions.
- Established professional networks in Ukrainian studies, museums, or the arts, and experience with grant-funded research projects.
What We Offer
The successful candidate will join a growing museum with an ambitious exhibition program, a significant permanent collection, and expanding national and international partnerships.
This position offers substantial opportunities for independent research, original exhibition development, scholarly publication, and professional collaboration. The Curator will play an important role in shaping the Museum’s exhibition and research programs as it enters its tenth decade.
Compensation: Starting salary of $60,000–$65,000 annually, commensurate with qualifications and experience, with opportunities for progression under the Museum’s established compensation framework.
Term: Full-time, three-year contract, with the possibility of renewal subject to confirmation of continued funding.
Benefits and vacation: Extended health benefits and three weeks of annual paid vacation, increasing to four weeks after three years of service.
Anticipated start date: January 2027, with flexibility for the successful candidate.
The position requires occasional evening and weekend work to support exhibitions, public programs, and special events, with scheduling adjustments provided in accordance with Museum policy.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit:
- A cover letter outlining their interest in the position and relevant experience.
- A current curriculum vitae.
- Documentation of two or three exhibitions for which they held significant curatorial responsibility, clearly identifying their role.
- A sample of scholarly or curatorial writing.
- Contact information for three professional references.
Please submit applications as a single PDF to maryna.bondar@umcnational.ca with the subject line Curator Application.
Application deadline: Monday, November 23, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CST.
The Ukrainian Museum of Canada is committed to equitable and inclusive employment practices. We welcome applications from qualified candidates of all backgrounds.
We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
