Grant Assistant

The Vancouver Art Gallery believes that creativity is fundamental to an open and engaged world. Bring your writing experience to one of Canada’s leading arts institutions in the heart of downtown Vancouver.

Reporting to the Head of Government and Foundation Grants, the Grant Assistant provides administrative support to the grants team and helps draft content for applications and reports. This role involves preparing materials that clearly communicate the Gallery’s priorities and impact to Canadian and international funders.

The Grant Assistant contributes to securing funding for a wide range of activities, including exhibitions, education and access programs, research, publications, infrastructure and staffing. This is a great opportunity for a strong writer who is organized, detail-oriented and passionate about supporting the arts through meaningful, behind-the-scenes work.

• Compile and review upcoming grant opportunities, ensuring alignment with the Gallery’s projects and timelines
• Support the development of persuasive grant applications and reports through activities such as research, data collection, drafting content and gathering budgets and images
• Assist in tracking and stewarding a portfolio of grant funders, with opportunities to manage new and existing funders
• Collaborate with staff in Development and across the Gallery to advance the goals of the grants team
• Maintain accurate records in the donor database and ensure grant-related documentation is organized for reporting and auditing
• Ensure confirmed grant funders are noted in internal documents and properly recognized on marketing collateral, exhibition title walls and more
• Assist with various writing tasks, including drafting letters and briefs related to grants
• Compile grant funders for event invitation lists
• Uphold the Gallery’s commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and Indigenous ways of being in all aspects of work
• Support the Gallery’s overall goals towards a cohesive brand voice and identity
• Complete additional tasks as assigned

This role contributes to the overall success of the Development team and ensures contribution to the Gallery’s strategic goals.

As a Grant Assistant, you hold a Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature, Communications, Creative Writing or another relevant field. You also bring a minimum of 2- to 3-years experience in the arts sector, preferably in the museum or gallery field.

In addition, you have:

• A clear understanding of ethical fundraising practices and the vital role that fundraising plays in supporting the Gallery’s operations
• Exceptional writing, editing and research skills, with the ability to persuasively convey the value of both artistic and non-artistic projects
• Strong time management, organizational skills and attention to detail, with demonstrated ability to meet deadlines under pressure
• Professional, discreet and respectful when handling sensitive or confidential information
• Collaborative and patient team player who can also work independently and adapt to various working styles
• Proactive and solution-focused with an entrepreneurial mindset and a resilient attitude
• Familiarity with donor databases—as well as experience using InDesign and Acrobat Pro—would be an asset

Salary: Pay Grade 17:  Step 1: $25.84 per hour.

Schedule: Nine-day fortnight schedule, working 70 hours bi-weekly.

This is a unionized position. This assignment falls under the jurisdiction of CUPE Local 15 – VMECW.

This is an in-office position at the Gallery’s downtown Vancouver location; however, some flexibility exists for working from home.

Please send your cover letter and resume, in confidence, by June 20, 2025, at 5 PM to our People & Culture Department via email: hr@vanartgallery.bc.ca.

As writing is a key component of this role, shortlisted candidates will be asked to submit a relevant writing sample. Examples may include a grant proposal, impact report, donor correspondence or other professional writing that demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

Please note that only applicants with Canadian citizenship, permanent residency or a valid work permit will be considered.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those short-listed will be contacted.

The Vancouver Art Gallery wants you to be your best. We provide our full-time and regular part-time employees with extended medical and dental coverage, long-term disability and life insurance, joint employer/employee pension contributions and generous vacation entitlements.

The Vancouver Art Gallery commits to five core values that guide all that we do:

• We are respectful of the unceded Indigenous territory upon which we are situated
• We are committed to creating an inclusive and respectful environment
• We believe that curiosity is a pathway to innovation
• We establish clear goals and expectations to cultivate a culture of accountability
• We foster successful collaboration through thoughtful communication and active listening

The Vancouver Art Gallery is situated on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam), Sḵwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil- Waututh) Nations. We offer a welcoming, team-based office culture and we are committed to providing equitable access to everyone. We actively support accessibility, anti-racism, LGBTQ2S+ inclusion, and encourage diversity in our staff, volunteers, visitors and programming. We cultivate a safer space where all voices are heard, valued and represented.

Founded in 1931, the Vancouver Art Gallery is recognized as one of North America’s most innovative visual arts institutions. The Gallery’s celebrated exhibitions, extensive public programs and emphasis on advancing scholarship all focus on historical and contemporary art from British Columbia and around the world. Special attention is given to the accomplishments of Indigenous artists, as well as to those of the Asia Pacific region—through the Centre for Global Asias (formerly the Institute of Asian Art) founded in 2014. The Gallery’s exhibitions also explore the impact of images in the larger sphere of visual culture, design and architecture.

The Gallery’s new Art of Wellbeing lab furthers its commitment to community by promoting the role of art in fostering health and wellbeing. Developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals, researchers and Indigenous Elders, the lab creates opportunities for individuals to engage with art in ways that support mental, emotional and physical wellbeing.

The Vancouver Art Gallery is a charitable not-for-profit organization supported by its members, individual donors, corporate funders, foundations, the City of Vancouver, the Province of British Columbia through the BC Arts Council and the Canada Council for the Arts.