Inventory & Programming Assistant
Art Metropole is seeking applicants for the part-time position of Inventory & Programming Assistant. This is a Young Canada Works position, designed for college or university graduates who wish to gain practical experience working in one of Canada's longest-standing artist-run centres, with a goal to transition into a career in the fields of Library Sciences, Archives and Records Management, Arts Administration, or Curating.
The main responsibilities of the Inventory & Programming Assistant is to help improve the visibility and increase the accessibility of our inventory, as well as to assist with developing, executing, and promoting Art Metropole’s artistic programming and exhibitions. Through research, outreach, and hands-on activities, the Inventory & Programming Assistant will work with AM staff to maintain, grow, and activate our inventory of over 16,000 artists’ books and multiples through public programs such as book launches, artist talks, exhibitions, and other displays.
Key Responsibilities
Helping to develop and deliver public programs and exhibitions:
- conducting research to assist upcoming artistic programs
- assisting in developing exhibition didactics and promotional copy for public programs
- working with staff to deliver programming events such as book launches and artist talks
- assisting with exhibition installation and other displays where applicable
-performing outreach to promote our programs and forge possible new partnerships
Assisting with the maintenance of inventory database:
- creating entries for new inventory items
- photo-documenting inventory and writing descriptions
- identifying and cleaning up mistaken inputs in existing entries, including finding and updating any missing information
- researching, assessing, and documenting donations of rare and out of print books and entering them into AM’s database
Fulfilling shop orders:
- packaging inventory and facilitating shipping and/or pickups
- communicating with vendors and customers in-store
- assisting with retail duties at AM’s College St shop locatio
Qualifications
- Background in Contemporary Art, Art History, Museums, Archives, or Library Studies, with an undergraduate or graduate degree in these or related fields
- Knowledge of and experience with contemporary art practices or non-profit artist-run centres; familiarity with artist’s books and bookselling is an asset
- A proven team player with enthusiasm for Art Metropole’s mission, and experience working in a collaborative environment
- Highly organized, able to multitask and prioritize, able to work under tight timelines, and possessing a keen eye for detail
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
- Strong computer skills, with familiarity with standard office software; experience with Adobe Creative Suite is an asset
- Experience with art handling, archival material, or installing art exhibitions is a considerable asset
Additional Info
Art Metropole is proud to be a certified Living Wage Employer at the Champion Level by the Ontario Living Wage Network. This position is part-time, remunerated at $27.20 per hour with a 23.5-hour work week, beginning October 19 2026 and ending March 29 2027 for a total of 23 weeks.
The position allows for a mix of remote and in-person working, though requires the majority of work to take place in Art Metropole’s office and shop, located in Toronto. The primary language required is English.
This position is funded through the Young Canada Works (YCW) at Building Careers in Heritage (YCWBCH) internship program for unemployed or underemployed college or university graduates. The program helps graduates make the transition from college or university to the workplace, allowing them to hone their professional skills and begin a career in the heritage, arts and cultural sectors. An individual may be eligible to apply only if they:
- are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (non-Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent resident status are not eligible);
- are legally entitled to work in Canada (have a valid social insurance number);
- are between 16 and 30 years of age inclusively at the start of employment; and
- are a college or university graduate (certificate, bachelor's, master's or doctorate).
Art Metropole is committed to creating an equitable and inclusive workplace and encourages applications from all qualified individuals, including those who identify as Black, Indigenous, POC, or visible minority, and individuals of diverse genders, abilities, and sexual orientations. We recognize that no candidate will possess every qualification listed above and encourage individuals with transferable skills and relevant experience to apply.
How to Apply
Application deadline: September 28 2026 at 11:59PM EST.
To apply, applicants should submit a cover letter and CV in PDF format to hiring@artmetropole.com. Please include "YCW - Inventory & Programming Assistant" in the email's subject line.
We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
