Co-Director
The deadline for this opportunity has passed.
TRUCK Contemporary Art is situated on the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta, which includes the Niitsitapi (inclusive of the Siksika, Piikani, and Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Iyarhe Nakoda (including the Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Wesley First Nations). The City of Calgary is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III. Our acknowledgement of this place and its peoples is made with sincere intention, deep gratitude, and in recognition of the ongoing histories and legacies of colonialism.
Over the past year, TRUCK has undertaken an internal assessment of our organizational structure towards identifying a human resource model that aligns with our vision and goals and addresses the disparity between our desires to reckon with the colonial structures inherent to arts organizations and our ability to do so while working within and from those structures.
Historically, TRUCK has maintained a staffing structure of executive director, programming coordinator, and when possible, an engagement coordinator. While this structure may have great efficacy for business models that think hierarchically, it falls short for those that aim to centre collectivity, communication, and collaboration as a means for thinking and working through ethical and equitable relationships. At the heart of our organization, TRUCK values artistic measures that are autonomous, self-organizing, and that prioritize and centre the artist. As core aims for our organization, it is vital that we extend these values to the artists that compose our staff.
While TRUCK has, and continues to, foreground collective decision-making, and supports staff through professional development opportunities and leaves of absence to pursue independent artistic practices, these intentions are not entirely compatible with our current staffing structure and policies. It is our belief that this disconnect has created gaps in our organizational resiliency, loss of institutional memory, and led to professional and personal compromises for both our organization and our staff.
It is our hope that by restructuring towards a model that centres collectivity we will better integrate our values into our staffing structure and provide better support to our artists and staff alike.
The Call
TRUCK is seeking a co-director to support our transition from a hierarchy-based staffing model to a lateral staffing model, led by two co-directors, with the support of the TRUCK board of directors and contract staff positions. The incoming co-director will join our current director and will work closely with them and the TRUCK board of directors to build and establish a lateral staffing framework grounded in the core values of equity, collaboration, and respect.
Detailed Responsibilities
The co-directors will work in collaboration on the following five broad areas:
- Leadership
- Manage the overall strategic direction of TRUCK’s artistic programming and administrative operations.
- Be an advocate for contemporary art in Calgary, responding to the interests of local and regional arts communities, facilitating partnerships and engaging with other community-based activities.
- Demonstrate a strong commitment to lateral, non-hierarchical, and collaborative leadership.
- Engage and lead discussions and programming in support of equity, anti-oppression, and inclusivity in our region.
- Participate in the hiring process and provide training, mentorship for new staff members and interns.
- Operations
- Provide day-to-day administrative management including document and records management and correspondence with exhibiting artists, speakers, submission applicants, members, and donors.
- Advise and support the activities of the board of directors, providing monthly reports and by participating in committees.
- Maintain a clean, well-organized, and safe working environment and facilities.
- Programming
- Manage the gallery’s programming including researching, developing, and organizing exhibitions.
- Direct the development of diverse programming through collaboration with the programming committee.
- Coordinate all exhibition logistics with artists, curators, and program partners regarding contracts, payment, transportation, shipping, installation, and travel activities of visiting artists and their works.
- Engage in research and editorial process for publications, essays, and catalogues, while coordinating the development, printing, and distribution of online and print publications.
- Oversee and schedule support for exhibition installation, including activities related to ancillary events such as media screenings, artist talks, literary and music events.
- Financial Management
- Research and write proposals for funding from municipal, provincial, federal agencies and private foundations.
- Develop and maintain annual budgets with support of treasurer and bookkeeper.
- Maintain financial records, process payments, deposits, payroll, lead annual the audit, and attend to charitable and societal reporting and requirements.
- Research and identify new funding opportunities and fundraising capacities.
- Advocate to the public, other arts and cultural organizations, and all funding agencies locally, nationally, and internationally.
- Work in collaboration with the fundraising committee to deliver innovative fundraising initiatives.
- Community and Public Relations
- Engage intentionally with communities & support outreach activities.
- Represent the gallery to the media: Create and distribute press releases, respond to media requests, and actively promote the gallery’s activities and exhibitions.
- Collaborate with the community and outreach committee to monitor membership and recruit, manage, and schedule volunteers.
- Liaise with and actively participate in local, national, and international artistic communities.
Requirements
- Applicants may have some, many, or all of the following; training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities will be prioritized in support of the co-directors needs and experiences.
- A minimum of two years experience (or equivalent) working in an artist-run space, public art gallery, or cultural institution.
- An advanced degree or equivalent experience in arts administration, fine arts, curatorial studies, art history, or visual culture.
- A record of successful fund development, including grant writing.
- Experience managing staff, interns, and volunteers, and working with a board of directors.
- Tangible commitment to collaborative, anti-oppressive, and lateral leadership models.
- Excellent self-management, organizational, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
- Strong knowledge of contemporary art practices and an understanding of artist-run culture.
- An exemplary commitment to community, inclusivity, equity, and anti-racism.
- A record of successful budgetary and financial experience within a cultural institution in the nonprofit sector.
- Excellent verbal skills, written communication skills, and commitment to working collaboratively within groups/committees.
- Strong attention to detail, ability to anticipate and plan ahead, adaptability, and reliability.
- Ability to work flexible hours including weekends and evenings when necessary.
- Proficiency in a breadth of computer programs and applications for administrative skills, design skills, social media, and web development.
- Knowledge and understanding of the functional role of digital platforms, social media, and web development for contemporary cultural institutions.
- Confidence in the handling of artworks and installation of exhibitions.
- Access to reliable transportation, a Class 5 driver’s license considered an asset.
Details
This is a full-time position at 30 hours per week, $43,680 per year with four weeks paid vacation as well as consideration for leave to pursue independent projects, and health benefits. Hours may be fulfilled flexibly, allowing for a combination of working from the office and from home, and in consideration of activities that occur outside of gallery hours including board and committee meetings, exhibition installation and receptions/events, fulfilling grant deadlines, etc.
Equity and Access
TRUCK is committed to inclusivity in employment and acknowledges systemic inequities create barriers to employment and other opportunities. We strongly encourage applications from equity-seeking groups, including those who are Indigenous, Black, people of colour, gender diverse, LGBTQ, Two-Spirit, persons with disabilities, and others with the lived experiences, skills, and knowledge to engage equity-seeking communities.
We are committed to accommodating applicants with barriers to the recruitment process outlined above. Please be in touch if you require accommodation with respect to the materials or procedures used at any time during this process, and we will work with you to determine how to best meet your needs. You may reach us at 403.261.7702 and at director@truck.ca.
To apply please send a cover letter and CV as a single PDF with the subject line Co-Director Application to humanresources@truck.ca by October 19, 2020.
