Toronto Society of Architects internship opportunity

The Toronto Society of Architects is looking for a student intern to conduct research on Exhibition Place for the TSA Database, a digital project showcasing modern and contemporary buildings and landscapes of the Greater Toronto Area.

About the organization:

Established in 1887, the Toronto Society of Architects (TSA) is a non-profit volunteer-led organization dedicated to bringing people together to discuss, learn and explore around our shared passion for the built environment.

We are committed to the betterment of our city and have played an important advocacy role throughout Toronto’s history. We do this through a wide range of programs which foster welcoming and inclusive forums for debate and the exchange of ideas, stimulating critical thinking about the design and building issues of our time.  Our public programming is complemented by initiatives supporting the personal growth and professional development of over 2000 TSA members. Membership is open to everyone and welcomes design professionals, students and the general public.

Learn more about the TSA at www.torontosocietyofarchitects.ca

About the placement:

As part of our educational and public outreach initiatives, the TSA is developing a curated digital database showcasing some of the Greater Toronto Area’s most significant modern and contemporary buildings and landscapes. This user-friendly database, which will be hosted on the TSA website and accessible to everyone, incorporates high-quality photographs, along with architectural drawings, sketches, and archival images to help tell the stories behind the buildings and landscapes.

Working closely with the Programming Director, the successful applicant will provide research and documentation support for the development of database entries with specific focus on buildings of Exhibition Place dating from the 1950s to present. Tasks may include:

  • Research buildings, including verifying architectural credits, reasons for inclusion and assessment of current conditions and accessibility.
  • Visiting local archives, sifting through historic documents and coordinating image selections and acquisitions.
  • Conducting interviews with architects and historians.
  • Identifying relevant sources for each building and preparing research notes.
  • Writing short, public-friendly descriptions for building entries, including highlighting the relevance of entry to Toronto’s architectural history.

The student intern will also have opportunities to participate in other TSA programming including networking opportunities with professionals from across the GTA working in a variety of practices.

Requirements

While this position is largely expected to take place remotely, the ideal candidate would be based in Toronto in order to visit the buildings and participate in TSA events. Because many archives in the city only operate Monday to Friday during regular business hours, it is expected that the selected candidate would have some availability during weekdays to make visits to the archives.

Timing or hours of placement: 8-10 hours per week/12 weeks, up to a maximum of 120 hours. Placement begins the week of September 12.

Credit: Half credit (0.5). This internship is for pass/fail course credit at the University of Toronto through the Department of Art History. This is not a paid position.

(Graduate students: Please note that the course code will be different for you than that shown in the application package. You are still eligible to apply.)

Interested students should send an application by August 25, 2022 to Dr Jessica Mace (jessica.mace@utoronto.ca). Applications should include a letter of interest (including any relevant coursework or experience), and a resume. Please indicate to which posting(s) you are applying. If you are interested in multiple postings, you only need to submit one application.


This project is supported by the Learning & Education Advancement Fund at the University of Toronto

%d bloggers like this: