The Archives of Ontario is one of the largest provincial archives in Canada, and the premier source of information about the history of the land we now call Ontario and its people. Since 1903, we’ve been collecting, preserving, and making available the documentary heritage of the province.
In addition to housing records from government ministries, which document the decisions, functions, and activities of the provincial government, we receive many donations of records from private individuals, families, businesses, and organizations that are of significance to the history and development of Ontario. We care for unique and multi-faceted records that date back to the 16th century and include everything from hand-written letters to books, maps, architectural drawings, photographs, artwork, films, sound recordings, electronic documents, and much more.
The Archives is also responsible for the Government of Ontario Art Collection (GOAC), the first publicly funded art collection in Canada. Dating from 1853, it currently numbers over 2,700 original works of art. Broad in scope and eclectic in nature, the collection is made up of paintings, works on paper, indoor and outdoor sculpture, official portraits, antique furnishings, and decorative objects.
Find out more about the Archives here: https://www.archives.gov.on.ca/
About the placement:
The Archives of Ontario is seeking a student with an interest in archives, exhibition development and web writing. The placement will involve the creation of an online exhibit about the history of Osgoode Hall and the Law Society of Ontario’s Great Library, to be hosted on the Archives’ website. This will be a chance to learn a wide range of invaluable, transferable skills in an environment increasingly activated by art historians and artists alike: exhibition curation, archival research, best practices in web writing and communications (including writing concisely and for a wide range of public audiences), image digitization, and copyright—among others.
The project will consist of a substantial revision of the Archives’ online exhibit Osgoode Hall Turns 175 – Documenting a Landmark, created in collaboration with the Law Society of Ontario. The Law Society’s Great Library will be celebrating its 200th anniversary in 2027, so the new exhibit will be both evergreen and timely. The student will work with the collections of the Archives of Ontario (which includes an extensive collection of drawings of the library’s iconic spaces) and the Law Society. The project can also expand the scope of the exhibit to incorporate research into the collection of works of art in the library’s main reading room. Time and resources permitting, there may be an additional opportunity to curate a complementary onsite exhibit, to be showcased in one of the vitrines in the Archives’ entrance lobby, and/or to contribute to an onsite exhibit at Osgoode Hall.
The student will have primary support and supervision from a member of the Archives’ Outreach and Education team, with additional research support and expertise from staff at the Law Society. The placement will begin with a care and handling session (provided by our conservator) and a research orientation on how to find records in the Archives’ collection databases (provided by our research archivists).
Requirements:
• strong writing and communication skills
• a passion for history/art history and an interest in archives; an interest in architectural history would be a particular asset
• self-motivated and able to work independently
• experience with archival research and/or working with primary materials
• experience with/interest in exhibit curation and display
• knowledge of/willingness to learn best practices in web writing
Timing and location of placement:
The placement will run for 8-10 hours per week, for 12 weeks, during the Spring 2026 term (January-March).
Note: The placement will be a hybrid opportunity. The student will have the option to work from home but will also be required to spend some portion of their time onsite at the Archives and the Law Society of Ontario, in order to work with onsite collections and spaces. The quantity of hours spent onsite (at the Archives’ location on the York University Keele Campus, next to the York University subway station, or at the Law Society of Ontario at Osgoode Hall) will depend upon the specific nature of the project and types of onsite engagements required. These details can be determined as part of planning at the outset of the project with the placement supervisor.
Course credit:
Half credit (0.5). This placement is for pass/fail course credit at the University of Toronto through the Department of Art History. Only University of Toronto students are eligible. This is not a paid position.
Interested students should submit an application here by Friday, November 28, 2025. Applications can be addressed to Professor Jessica Mace and Professor Christy Anderson, and should include 1) a letter of interest (including any relevant coursework or experience) and 2) 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.