Collections Assistant (Summer Position)

Job Type: Full-time Summer Position
Employment Period: May 4, 2026 – August 28, 2026 (16 weeks)
Hourly Wage: $18.00
Location: Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre
300 – 851 4 Street SE, Calgary, Alberta, T2G 1P2

About the National Music Centre

The National Music Centre (NMC) is Canada’s premier destination for music, culture, and innovation. Located in Calgary’s East Village, NMC is home to over 8,000 artifacts, including historic musical instruments, artist archives, audio recordings, textiles, memorabilia, and rare music technologies spanning more than 450 years of history. Through exhibitions, performances, research, education, and artist residencies, NMC preserves and shares Canada’s musical heritage with local, national, and international audiences.

About this position

Reporting to the Senior Manager of Collections and Exhibitions, the Collections Assistant supports the research, development, and publication of didactic content for exhibitions and digital platforms. The student will also assist with collections care, documentation, and preventive conservation activities related to NMC’s Living Collection of instruments, equipment, and archival materials.

Summer student funding for this position requires that applicants must meet all eligibility requirements for both Young Canada Works and Canada Summer Jobs, including being between the ages of 16–30 at the start of employment and returning to full-time studies in Fall 2026.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Researching artists, artifacts, and historical themes for interpretive content
• Drafting and editing written materials for physical and digital exhibitions
• Assisting with cataloguing, documentation, and preventive conservation
• Monitoring and maintaining collections-related spaces
• Supporting the Collections & Exhibitions team with ongoing departmental projects

This role provides meaningful, hands-on experience in a professional museum environment and is ideal for students pursuing careers in heritage, museums, archives, conservation, or cultural studies.

Qualifications

• Must meet all Young Canada Works eligibility requirements, including being between the ages of 16–30 at the start of employment and returning to full-time studies in Fall 2026
• Post-secondary studies in Museum Studies, Art History, History, Musicology, Cultural Studies, Library and Information Science, Archival Studies, or a related field
• Strong research and writing skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Computer proficiency (Microsoft Office; Mac and PC environments)
• Experience with artifact handling, cataloguing, photography, preventive conservation, or database management is an asset but not required

Commitment to Fair Hiring Practices

National Music Centre (NMC) believes in the power and importance of fair hiring practices in the workplace, and we will ensure equal opportunity for all qualified applicants to apply.

How to Apply

Qualified applicants should submit a PDF cover letter and resume to:

Claire Neily
Senior Manager, Collections & Exhibitions
claire.neily@nmc.ca

Application Deadline: April 16, 2026

Please ensure your full name appears in your file name (e.g., Smith_John_Resume.pdf) and use the subject line: Collections Assistant Application. No phone calls please.