Curator of Global Sikh Art and Culture

• Within the context of the Global South Asia collections and suite of galleries steward the Sikh art and culture collection including growth study rotation and display care and recordkeeping provenance research digitizing and publication.
• Curate ROMs Sikh art and culture collection with a commitment to collaboration including with external community stakeholders and with internal curatorial colleagues and interpretive staff to generate important visitorcentric and transdisciplinary exhibitions.
• As part of an integrated team of ROM curators and staff develop innovative and relevant interpretive approaches for the Sikh Art and Culture Gallery as a part of ROMs Museum wide gallery planning.
  • In alignment with the vision articulated by the Senior Curator of Global South Asian Art & Culture develop integrated themes and narratives situating Sikh art & culture within the larger South Asian context.
• Establish a 10year Sikh art and culturecollection development plan in alignment with ROMs mission vision and strategic planning.
• Enhance the existing collection and provide new opportunities for interpretation and public engagement through strategic acquisitions and loans.
• Work with Sikh partners and museum leadership in stewarding collaborations that may lead to repatriation or restitution of objects if needed in accordance with ethical standards.

• Work collaboratively with museum educators and engagement staff to initiate programs and school curriculum related to Sikhart and culture and with community stakeholders to ensure programming is accessible and aligned with issues relevant to broad contemporary audiences including Sikh and nonSikh communities.
• Work with interpretation and education colleagues propose prepare and give public programs lectures tours and workshops to the general public professional colleagues volunteers local cultural organizations and other groups.
• Engage the many Sikh diaspora communities in the Greater Toronto Area Ontario Canada and globally including business and cultural communities.

• In collaboration with fundraising staff actively cultivate support for exhibitions galleries programs symposia acquisitions research grants and fellowships through association with cultural and professional organizations foundations and patrons at the local national and international level.

• Maintain professional affiliations in scholarly and museum curatorial organizations professional societies and relevant committees.
• Strengthen connections with colleagues from the University of Toronto and other academic institutions in the Great Toronto Area.
• Explore maintain and promote relationships with museums and other cultural organizations nationally and internationally.

• Advanced educational attainment in South Asian art history visual culture material culture anthropology history or a closely related field with a specialization in some aspect of Sikh or Punjabi art and culture or the equivalent in relevant experience exhibitions and/or publications.
• A strong record focusing on the Sikh arts and heritage through curatorial academic and/or community activities.
• An ability to read and write Gurmukhi is required. Competency with a modern South Asian language is desired Punjabi preferred. Urdu and/or French would be assets.
• Embodied connection to the Sikh/Punjabi community and a demonstrated knowledge and sensitivity to contemporary histories issues and concerns of the community.
• A strong background of work within a museum environment knowledge of peer institutions and experience developing and implementing programs and exhibitions and working with internal and external stakeholders; experience working with issues of provenance is an asset.
• Track record of working successfully with community partners to establish institutional trust and repair relationships. Experience of navigating difficult conversations around contemporary politics and differing points of view is a plus.
• A record of peerreviewed publications is an asset. There is an opportunity for cross appointment to the University of Toronto.

• Intellectually curious with an appetite to engage in a wide array of topics.
• Ambitious for the institution and its efforts to develop strong networks into the local community and with established international scholars and institutions.
• Responsive to the ideas of others; a strong communicator and a dooropener proactively seeking partnerships networks and input from community members.
• Able to prioritize competing demands within a large multilayered and active museum.
• Comfortable sharing authority with diverse stakeholders
• Enjoys working as part of a strong and integrated team to build new experiences for ROMs visitors.
• Aspirational to build high caliber programs but patient and flexible able to set incremental goals.
• Sensitive to cultural heritage and aware of the complex societal pressures present in this work.

• Proficiency in Punjabi and Gurmukhi
• French is asset

• Facilitate research on the collection by outside/visiting scholars and develop ones own program of original scholarly research usually relating to ROM collections and exhibitions.
• Work with the ROM Library to build resources on the study of Sikh art and culture.
• Participate in fulfilling the learning mission of the museum and may engage in university teaching or supervision of interns and students at the museum.

• Salary range is $68487 $150000 CAD in accordance with union collective agreement and based on years of experience.
• ROM is open to considering a range of candidates from an Associate Curator level up to Senior Curator consistent with the candidates experience and the strategic goals of the museum. The salary increases according to rank and experience; the range is governed by Collective Agreement.
• Successful candidates will also receive 30 hours of coaching from MPD Culture Consultants during the first 6 months of their appointment.
• Full benefit coverage includes medical and dental plan life insurance long term disability and pension.
• This is a unionized position and the Curator will be a member of the ROM Curatorial Association (ROMCA).

Applicants are encouraged to apply electronically by submitting a single PDF file containing the following documents:

1. A cover letter expressing interest in the position including brief examples of past experience in exhibitions programs and collections as well as proposed research areas and projects.
2. A curriculum vitae.
3. Names and contact information for three references.