Public Art Assistants Wanted
STEPS is seeking public art assistants to bring public art projects to communities across the country!
Position: Public Art Assistants
Location: Hybrid/Virtual Position (open across Canada)
Duration: 4-month full-time contract (35 hours per week)
Application Deadline: Monday, April 17, 2023 at 12noon ET (Eastern Time)
Anticipated Start Date: Monday, May 15, 2023
Compensation Range: $20/hour
Who is STEPS Public Art?
STEPS envisions a world where artists and communities co-create meaningful, welcoming and safe public spaces. We are a Canada Revenue Agency registered charity that engages and empowers artists and communities to transform public spaces into vibrant places. Our team is composed of high-performing, highly ethical creative entrepreneurial innovators who truly care about their communities.
Staff are supported in their professional development through a combination of all staff and targeted individual development opportunities including but not limited to training, mentorship and external conference/event participation. Our open-concept waterfront office has natural light and ample room for physical distancing. Flexible working arrangement policies provide staff with remote working as well as alternative scheduling options.
Our main office is based in T’karonto, the Ancestral Wendat territory and the shared territory of the Anishinaabeg and the Haudenosaunee, covered by The Dish With One Spoon treaty, and later, Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands. STEPS is committed to cultivating safe spaces for Indigenous voices to be heard. We invest in ongoing staff and Board learning related to equity, inclusion and accessibility topics; supports such as staff-led equity groups, among which include a BIPOC group as well as a Disability and Chronic Illness group to help foster an accessible and accommodating work environment for our team and stakeholders.
Who Are You?
We are seeking creative and energetic public art assistants with passion for forging new partnerships, supporting artists, clients and collaborators in executing successful cultural projects, and engaging people in public art experiences. Your strong organizational and problem solving skills allow you to thrive on each day being different, whether you are assisting in the execution of a project, communicating with artists and community members, or planning a cultural event. If you are a team player, can thrive in a fast-paced environment, and are passionate about public art and community engagement, we look forward to meeting you!
This role is partially funded by Canada Summer Jobs, a federal program aimed at creating meaningful employment opportunities for young people. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as: Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), Black, a person of colour, newcomer, Disabled and/or LGBTQQIP2SAA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit, asexual, allies, along with additional sexual orientations and gender identities).
The Opportunity
This role supports the development and execution of public art projects across the organization, which may include collaborations with community agencies, municipalities, Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), corporate clients, and/or cultural groups across Canada.
This is a four-month full-time contract (35 hours per week) and a hybrid position, with most responsibilities able to be performed virtually, but may include some in-person responsibilities. This position is open to candidates across Canada.
Eligibility
This role is partially funded by Canada Summer Jobs.
Preference will be given to candidates who meet the following criteria established by the funder:
- Are no more than 30 years of age during contract period (born AFTER September 1, 1993).
- Are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment.
- Have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada.
STEPS encourages applications from all qualified candidates who are legally able to work in Canada that represent the full diversity of communities in Canada, including complexities of intersecting identities such as ability, age, class, gender, race and sexual orientation. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as: Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), Black, a person of colour, newcomer, Disabled and/or LGBTQQIP2SAA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit, asexual, allies, along with additional sexual orientations and gender identities).
Responsibilities
- Assisting in the development of public art project plans or proposals, which may include meeting with artists, businesses, community groups to understand their needs and working collaboratively with colleagues to propose responsive project concepts.
- Contributing to the coordination and execution of public art projects, which may include researching artists, fabricators or suppliers; arranging for materials/equipment; providing on-site logistical support; and monitoring health and safety procedures.
- Supporting the planning and facilitation of cultural events, such as project information sessions, public art unveilings, artist talks, social media takeovers, participatory arts workshops or other outreach activities.
- Communicating with artists, the public and community stakeholders about programming to ensure it is widely promoted and reaches intended audiences.
- Representing the organization at engagement opportunities such as external cultural events, symposiums or meetings.
- Supporting project storytelling and reporting activities through the collection of audio-visual material, quotes and anecdotes from key stakeholders, and drafting of copy for inclusion in promotional materials.
- Assisting in evaluation and reporting activities, including presenting the impact of in-progress or completed projects to clients, funders or other stakeholders.
- Attending and contributing to team meetings and organizational wide strategic projects in support of STEPS mandate.
- Participating in organizational onboarding activities, professional development opportunities (e.g. workshops, mentorship), and necessary training and certifications for staff to participate in projects with stakeholders (e.g. Vulnerable Sector Screening, First Aid Training).
We Think It’s Important That You Have the Following
- Education (including formal, informal and self-directed learning) or equivalent experience in visual arts, fine arts, design, arts management, creative industries, curation, cultural planning or related fields.
- Prior experience working with artists or designers.
- Excitement for bringing personal creativity to a fast-paced start-up environment.
- Good judgment and discretion in relation to community and stakeholder relations.
- Ability to work effectively within a team and independently.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Exceptional problem solving skills.
- High attention to detail.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office, Google Drive and video conferencing.
- Prior experience in a customer service oriented role is an asset.
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends.
- Valid driver’s license is an asset.
- Bilingualism (English and French) is an asset.
Application Process
We invite qualified applicants to apply via the online portal by no later than Monday, April 17, 2023 at 12noon ET (Eastern Time).
If you require accommodations to apply for this opportunity, please send an email by Monday, April 10, 2023 with “STEPS Public Art Assistant Accommodations” in the subject line to operations@stepspublicart.org.
Applications will not be accepted by email. While we appreciate the interest of all applicants, we can only communicate with those shortlisted for an interview. Interviews are expected to start Thursday, April 20, 2023 and the anticipated start date for this role is Monday, May 15, 2023.
The hiring process will involve one scheduled interview (questions will be provided in advance) and reference checks. This interview round will be facilitated by two members of our team via video conferencing.
