Curator of Indigenous Collections Full Time

Bata Shoe Museum
Curator of Indigenous Collections

In the spirit of respect and friendship, the Bata Shoe Museum recognizes that the land on which we are situated is the Treaty lands and territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the ancestral home to many nations, including the Huron-Wendat, the Haudenosaunee and the Anishinaabeg, since time immemorial. Today, this area remains home to many, diverse Indigenous communities, including First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. As a staff, we at the Bata Shoe Museum are grateful to have the opportunity to meet, work and learn together on this land. We encourage you to learn more about the land you are on by visiting Whose Land as a starting point.

The Bata Shoe Museum, located in Toronto, Canada, is an internationally recognized cultural institution dedicated to exploring human history and identity through footwear. Regularly displaying over a thousand shoes and related artifacts selected from a collection of nearly 15,000 objects spanning more than 4,500 years, the Museum communicates the central role of footwear in shaping social and cultural life. Through gathering, conserving, researching, interpreting, and exhibiting material evidence of the history of footwear and shoemaking, the Museum illustrates the changing habits, lifestyles, and customs of communities around the world.

It is within this context that the Bata Shoe Museum invites nominations and applications for the role of Curator of Indigenous Collections, a full-time, permanent position within the Curatorial Department that will play an important role in shaping the Museum’s future direction and impact.

The Curator of Indigenous Collections will help advance thoughtful and visitor-centred approaches to researching, interpreting, and exhibiting Indigenous material culture, with particular focus on Indigenous footwear from what is now known as North America. Working collaboratively with colleagues across curatorial, conservation, programming, marketing and education functions, the successful candidate will research and develop exhibitions, write interpretive texts, select artifacts and supporting media for display. The Curator will also support the care and interpretation of Indigenous belongings in alignment with ethical museum standards, train education guides on gallery content, respond to media inquiries, and participate in public programming connected to exhibitions. A strong knowledge of Indigenous material culture is essential, as is a demonstrated commitment to advancing the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the standards recommended in the Canadian Museum Association’s Moved to Action report in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada.

Qualifications
Among the qualifications being sought in candidates, the Museum is looking for an individual who demonstrates a deep and abiding commitment to reconciliation, equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in all its forms and who believes intrinsically in the importance of leading with curiosity and openness. While all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and share how they see themselves adding value to the Bata Shoe Museum environment, the following credentials and experiences are seen as possible markers of success in the role: A) a degree, certificate, or equivalent experience in history, art history, anthropology, or a related field, and/or Traditional Knowledge related to Indigenous fashion or history; B) a minimum of three to five years of experience conducting research on topics related to Indigenous arts and culture, or equivalent lived and professional experience in Indigenous creative and cultural spaces; C) demonstrated experience writing, speaking, or presenting on Indigenous arts and culture, including experience working with Indigenous Elders, Knowledge Keepers, or Cultural Advisors; and D) strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively within a team environment that includes individuals from a range of cultural backgrounds and lived experiences. Experience working in a museum or cultural setting, familiarity with exhibition interpretation, knowledge of fashion history, and experience within the non-profit arts and culture sector would be considered assets.

The expected salary range for this position is $70,000 – $80,000 CAD per year, commensurate with experience and qualifications, plus employer-paid benefits.

This posting reflects an existing position within the organization.

How to Apply
The Bata Shoe Museum condemns racism, injustice and violence. We have taken time to reflect on how we can effectively and meaningfully make change. We acknowledge that as a museum, we have a responsibility to support diversity, inclusion and accessibility through the work done within our own institution and outside our doors and are committed to this. We acknowledge that we must listen more, learn more, and engage in difficult but necessary conversations. We acknowledge that we have a responsibility to use our platform to amplify minoritized voices. We are committed to prioritizing the education of our board and staff on the issues of diversity and inclusivity. We are committed to changing our museum to be more inclusive to those who have felt marginalized and excluded from being part of a museum community. We are committed to having diverse voices be heard in our exhibitions and our programming. We are committed to providing space for community engagement. We are committed to supporting minoritized business owners. We are committed to making a difference and are actively working on a plan of action. Being silent is being complicit.
Bata Shoe Museum is partnering with BES Executive Search, a firm committed to ensuring that every search mandate engages a pluralistic and intersectional range of candidates. Applicants are guided through what BES calls ‘The BES Experience’—a thoughtful, candidate-centred process that meets candidates with support and care throughout the search process. All interested applicants are encouraged to apply.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), applicants living with a disability will be provided with accommodation throughout the search process. Should accommodations be required, please make Melissa Sumnauth aware by emailing [email protected].

BES is deeply grateful to all who express interest in this opportunity and recognize the time and effort that goes into submitting an expression of interest. While only those most closely aligned with the position requirements will be contacted for an interview, all applications are reviewed with thoughtfulness and will receive correspondence from the firm as part of our commitment to delivering a respectful and inclusive candidate experience.

BES Executive Search Inc. does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess, or select applicants.