Communications Co-ordinator, Public Art (Part-Time)

May 15, 2026

We acknowledge that this land is the ancestral territory of the Siksikaitsitapi — the Blackfoot people — comprising the Siksika, Kainai and Piikani Nations, as well as Treaty 7 signatories including the Tsuut’ina Nation and the Îyârhe Nakoda Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations. This land is also home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Calgary Nose Hill and Calgary Elbow Districts as well as many First Nations and Inuit from across Turtle Island.

We acknowledge that there has been art, music, dance, storytelling, and ceremony on this land since time immemorial and it is in the spirit of this land and its people that we do our work.

Application Assistance

Calgary Arts Development is committed to open, fair and transparent processes. We recognize that the job application process can create barriers to access for many who are interested in applying. Please see the end of the document for more information or reach out directly by emailing jointheteam@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.

Employment Equity Statement

Calgary Arts Development is an equal opportunity employer and employs people without regard to race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, language, citizenship, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, physical and/or mental abilities.

While remaining alert and sensitive to the issue of fair and equitable treatment for all, we have a special concern with the participation and advancement of members of designated groups that have traditionally been disadvantaged in employment: Black, Indigenous, people of colour, immigrants and newcomers, persons with physical or mental disabilities, and members of 2SLGBTQIAP+ communities.

We are currently working in a hybrid environment, with the requirement that some work will occur in person in the office.

Who Are We?

Calgary Arts Development is our city’s designated arts development authority. We provide grant investments to hundreds of arts organizations, individual artists, and groups. We value relationships, generosity, reciprocity, plain language and curiosity.

We believe the arts have the power to build our city. Through the arts development strategy, Living a Creative Life, our vision is a creative, connected, prosperous Calgary where every resident has the opportunity to live a creative life. We foster a sustainable and resilient arts sector, and support arts-led city building.

Strong relationships are central to our work and will be particularly central to this role. We honour artists and believe that art is a critical component that benefits the public good. We welcome new introductions and partnerships with artists and arts organizations as well as with others whose work may be outside the arts who are trying to make our city great through living a creative life.

Our team has been working towards creating shared environments where all people can feel safe, heard, and validated. A sensitivity to the lived experiences of diverse, marginalized, and equity- seeking people is very important as we continue valuing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in all aspects of our work.

The Role

We are recruiting a part-time public art communications co-ordinator (24 hours per week) to join our communications team. This position is responsible for supporting communications strategies that ensure broad awareness of and encourage an interest in projects, programs and the overall public art program. The duties associated with this position may shift as needs within the team evolve. The role has potential to become full-time.

This position is responsible for gathering and organizing information, preparing content for publication and meeting deadlines to ensure both artists and the public learn about the public art program and the various entry points they can interact with. Internally, this role acts as a co-ordinator between the communications and public art teams, reporting to the communications manager and working closely with the public art communications specialist, and members of the public art team.

The individual in this role is committed to embedding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in all communications, relationships and processes related to this position. This includes Truth and Reconciliation, and good relations with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities in Treaty 7, in part realized through the activation of the White Goose Flying Report, a local adaptation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s report with calls to action that can be influenced locally.

Accountabilities

As a member of Calgary Arts Development’s communications team, the public art communications co-ordinator is responsible for:

Being knowledgeable about the public art program and collection and being able to speak to specific audiences about the initiatives, goals and vision.
Supporting all communications around the public art program at Calgary Arts Development and the public art collection, under the supervision of the communications manager.
Acting as a liaison between the public art team and the communications team, gathering images, artist bios, artist statements and other content required for public art projects, programs, artist calls, requests for qualifications (RFQs), etc.
Adapting, writing and editing clear and accessible copy for websites, newsletters and social media platforms.
Coordinating and posting artist calls, RFQs and other opportunities, working with the public art communications specialist and public art team to ensure they are accessible, well promoted and reach a broad audience.
Collaborating with the public art communications specialist to adapt approved key messages and content for different communications channels, including websites, newsletters and social media platforms.
Gathering, organizing and maintaining digital assets related to the public art program so they are up to date and available as needed.
Assisting with media relations activities and tracking media coverage.
Supporting the day-to-day management and maintenance of the Calgary Arts Development websites as required.
Ensuring accuracy, consistency and fact-checking for all information posted.
Being up to date on, and employing, best practices in public art communications.
Building, fostering and maintaining relationships with external partners.
Supporting a communications strategy for the public art program over time that may include elements such as audience mapping, rollout planning and auditing communications platforms.
Helping to identify, anticipate and mitigate risks.
Coordinating communications timelines and approvals for public art projects, ensuring content is reviewed and delivered on schedule across teams.
Supporting storytelling initiatives such as blog posts, project updates and artist features to highlight public art projects and processes.
Supporting the development and maintenance of project communications plans, including tracking deliverables, timelines and responsibilities.
Assist with tracking and reporting on communications performance (e.g. engagement, reach, newsletter metrics) to inform future strategies.

Who Are You?

For this position, we are looking for someone with post-secondary education and/or work experience in communications or journalism, who is familiar with Calgary’s arts community and enthusiastic about supporting efforts that help communities and artists learn about and participate in public art opportunities.

You are a strong writer and editor who pays attention to detail and is fluent in both spoken and written English. You have a passion for plain language and can adapt to style depending on your audience. You are also a strong organizer, with the ability to manage your time and prioritize projects to meet deadlines.

You understand the concept of public dollars being invested to develop a public program for public good. You will help support a program that ensures the needs and wants of Calgary’s citizens are central to its vision. While building on the robust history of Calgary’s public art program, you will endeavour to deepen the conversation about public art and how Calgarians connect with it. Your work will help communications efforts to build new relationships and help people access new opportunities.

You understand and have lived in a relational approach versus a transactional approach to community building and relationship building.

You are passionate about the importance of the arts and creativity in our lives and are curious about different approaches and ways of working and learning. You are committed to growing your awareness of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility and want to ensure that our systems reflect those values, but this is not new work for you.

You’re not all things to all people, but you’re probably already a few of these things:

You are a champion for public art and the role it plays in strengthening our community.
You are passionate about working with people and interested in building relationships.
You can express ideas and concepts effectively, orally and in writing.
You are comfortable working on a variety of social media platforms.
You are highly organized, detail-oriented and self-motivated in your work.
You are comfortable managing multiple tasks, identifying priorities and ensuring your colleagues have all the details they need to be successful in their work.
You have strong time management skills.
You have experience using Word and Excel or have a proven ability to quickly learn software.
You are committed to growing your awareness of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and want to ensure that our systems reflect those values.
You are a self-starter who is adaptable working both independently and with teams.
You adapt quickly to using new technologies.
You are comfortable working in a collaborative and open work environment.
You maintain a high level of professionalism, discretion and confidentiality.

If you see yourself in this opportunity, we would love to have a conversation with you. And if you’re not sure, you can learn more about us by exploring our website at calgaryartsdevelopment.com.

We are also open to having conversations with individuals in advance of the submission of an application to clarify questions about this posting. Please address those inquiries to Maureen McNamee, Communications Manager, at maureen.mcnamee@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.

How to Apply

Please indicate your interest by emailing jointheteam@calgaryartsdevelopment.com with your resume and cover letter. Please use the subject line: Public Art Part-Time Communications Co-ordinator Posting.

Your cover letter should address the question: “What role do you believe communication plays in fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in public art?”

If you would like to request application assistance, please contact jointheteam@calgaryartsdevelopment.com or call 403.264.5330 x 124 to arrange assistance. Details around application assistance are listed in detail below.

For best consideration, apply by June 18, 2026. Interviews will be conducted on an ongoing basis and we are hoping to fill this position by mid-July, but our commitment to finding the right fit may require more time.

Minimum annual salary is $35,000 in addition to a benefits package that includes health and dental coverage, and a matching RRSP program.

Application Assistance

We recognize that the job application process can create barriers to access for many applicants who are interested in applying. In recognition of these barriers, eligible applicants can request assistance to help alleviate some of the costs associated with preparing and submitting a job application.

Who Can Request Assistance?

Individuals who self-identify as:

An individual who is D/deaf, hard of hearing, has a disability or is living with a mental illness.
An individual facing geographic or cultural barriers.

To receive assistance, you will need to provide:

The name and contact information of someone who can help you (this could be a trusted friend or family member, or a professional service provider). We may be able to make recommendations depending on the service being requested.
The amount you are requesting, including the service provider’s hourly rate.

Types of Assistance

General Transcription or Editing Services & Organizing of Support Materials

Applicants who identify barriers within the writing process directly due to a physical or learning disability or due to living with mental illness.
Maximum Contribution: $75

ASL Interpretation

Calgary Arts Development can make arrangements for reputable, in-person ASL interpreters for interviews, in consultation with the interviewee, and at no cost to the interviewee.

Interview Parking

Applicants who must drive to an interview at our request are eligible to have their parking costs paid by Calgary Arts Development.
Maximum Contribution: $26 per interview, or the equivalent of the daily rate for parkades or parking meters that are close to the Calgary Arts Development office.

Childcare

Applicants who require childcare services to attend the interview are eligible to be reimbursed for those childcare expenses.

About the Public Art Program

We are committed to delivering a public art program that is engaging, relevant and accountable. Public art in Calgary reflects the rich diversity of our city, including Indigenous voices that tell the past, present and future stories of this land, which is the ancestral territory of the Siksikaitsitapi — the Blackfoot people. Our intent is to foster meaningful connections and dialogue between artists and communities, using public art to reflect Calgary’s diverse stories and values.

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Communications Co-ordinator, Public Art (part-time)