Collections and Curatorial Intern (YCW) (Deadline)
Collections and Curatorial Intern (YCW)
Standard work week: Wednesday-Sunday
Term: September 2025 – March 31, 2026
35 Hours a Week
$17.30
Friends of Dalnavert Museum are seeking a Collections and Curatorial Intern to assist us in collections management and conservation, and in developing a commemorative exhibit for the 130th anniversary of the historic house.
Through exhibits, lectures, and tours, they will help us make the history of Dalnavert, Winnipeg, and the Victorian era accessible and relevant to our community. They will undertake research to support exhibit design and programming, with an emphasis on themes of justice, immigration, and reconciliation. They will assist Dalnavert Museum’s Collections Registrar in the care and preservation of the Museum’s extensive collection. Collection duties will be interspersed with some daily operational duties that will include the occasional delivery of guest services at the reception desk, house tours, and supporting volunteers with our interpretative programming.
Friends of Dalnavert Museum is the registered charity that owns and operates Dalnavert Museum and Visitors’ Centre, located at 61 Carlton St. in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Dalnavert is the restored 1895 home of Sir Hugh John Macdonald, son of Sir John A. Macdonald, and his family. Our mission is to preserve and maintain the museum's buildings, grounds, and collection; to present engaging programs and exhibits that interpret the history of the house and Winnipeg's rich heritage for visitors; and to develop partnerships and programming that make Dalnavert a cultural centre for city residents.
Key responsibilities of the role will include:
- Conduct research to support exhibits and programming
- Develop a plan and mount an exhibit commemorating the 130th anniversary of the historic house
- Write a series of blog posts for our website and social media about the history of the house, its inhabitants, or the history of the neighborhood, focusing on our 130th anniversary.
- Learn the process behind accepting and accessioning artifacts
- Check, record, and analyze daily/monthly temperature and humidity readings
- Implement our Integrated Pest Management program
- Assist in care of heritage rooms and artifacts on a regular basis
- Assist in the digitization of our collection
- Provide programming assistance, as required
- Deliver interpretive tours of the national historic site to guests, as required
- Assist with front line visitor services in conjunction with volunteers, as required
Candidates interested in this position should demonstrate the following education, experience and skills:
- Upper-level University or College education in any of the following areas is preferred: Collections Management, Museum Studies, Humanities (History, Canadian Studies, Political Science, Anthropology, Art History, and Fine Arts)
- Demonstrated interest in Canadian historical perspectives is an asset: e.g., social and political history, built heritage, material culture, interpretation and story-telling, immigration, reconciliation
- A high level of experience working with artifacts, collections management software, and digital photography
- Demonstrated experience with exhibit research and design
- Physical dexterity to handle collection artifacts by hand
- Excellent research and writing skills, including experience with communicating complex topics in relatable ways
- Proficiency in spoken and written English is essential, French and/or additional language skills an asset.
- Excellent oral, communication and organizational skills, accuracy, attention to detail, friendly, open to learning, self-motivated, able to work independently and as part of a team.
Availability to work all weekends and occasional evenings required.
FUNDER CRITERIA
This position is dependent upon funding approval from the Young Canada Works (YCW) program. Applicants will only be considered if they meet the following criteria, as set by YCW:
• 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);
• legally entitled to work in Canada (have a valid social insurance number);
• between 16 and 30 years of age inclusively at the start of employment; and
• a college or university graduate (certificate, bachelor's, master's or doctorate).
Note: Priority will be given to graduates that have not previously participated in YCW internship programs and that are unemployed or underemployed.
Please indicate that you meet the funder criteria when submitting your application.
TO APPLY
Candidates may be required to show proof of a clear Criminal Record and Child Abuse Registry Check.
The Friends of Dalnavert Museum Inc. welcomes diversity in the workplace and encourages applications from all qualified students. Priority hiring will be given to those from groups that have been historically marginalized, including, but not limited to: women, Indigenous peoples, members of visible minorities, LGBT2S+ individuals, and individuals with disabilities. We encourage applicants to self-identify.
Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make the hiring process more accessible. For more information or to request an accommodation, please contact Museum Services Manager, Samantha Machado, at [email protected] or call 204.943.2835.
Interested applicants may email a résumé including a cover letter and two references on or before 11:59 p.m. August 29, 2025 to [email protected].