CAFKA – Contemporary Art Forum Kitchener and Area seeks Program Coordinator to join our team. 

Compensation: $20.40/hr – 35hrs per week
Application Deadline: August 10, 2022
Expected Start Date: September 6, 2022
Contract Length: September 2022 – August 2023

As Ontario’s oldest public art forum, for 20 years CAFKA has supported a diverse spectrum of local, national and international artists in the presentation/dissemination of ground-breaking, contemporary, interactive and interventionist public artworks in Kitchener-Waterloo (KW) region through biennial programming and special projects. As the only artist-driven visual arts organization in the region and a pillar within KW, CAFKA’s primarily free biennial programming in unexpected public spaces expands contemporary art experiences outside gallery environments and positions them as critical and integral parts of community life—accessible to everyone. Through the biennial, lectures, tours, workshops and related special projects, CAFKA develops opportunities for people in the community and beyond to learn about contemporary art, and engage in discourse around issues of public and private space.

Job Description:

Working closely with and reporting to the Director, the Program coordinator will assist with coordination of all aspects of artist installations and public programming leading up to CAFKA’s free biennial exhibition in June, 2023. In addition to working directly with artists on research and development, the candidate will gain skills in curatorial research, arts administration, budget development, project management, fundraising and development, marketing and communications, and partnership development.

This position provides a unique opportunity for the candidate to gain valuable experience in arts and cultural administration; learn the logistics and processes required to implement a temporary public art exhibition in collaboration with our partners; curatorially integrate contemporary art installations within existing regional and municipal built and cultural heritage sites; tailor development and fundraising activities and build relationships with key stakeholders; and work directly with artists on the development and implementation of their work.

This contract will be extended beyond the Young Canada Works Program (March 31, 2023) through to August 2023.

 

Organizational/ Logistical Support:

  • Works alongside the staff and volunteers to fulfil mandate of CAFKA and represent the organization
  • Project Management: Works with Director to develop work back schedules, production schedules, and project specific budgets
  • Assists Director in preparation of grant applications and final reports. Compiles support material and provides support with grant preparation, final reporting and other fundraising efforts.
  • Contributes to maintenance of the organization’s website and program specific social media accounts
  • Assists director by contributing to the development of the volunteer staff plan for biennial activities
  • Participates in networking and developing relationships with a variety of stakeholders (community groups, sites, donors, sponsors)
  • Coordinates use of image credits as well as artist, commissioning, and donor credits ensuring all sponsors, granting agencies, or funders are recognized
  • Maintains relationships with the general public, professional organizations and associations specifically related to the organization and assists in establishing and maintaining effective relationships with cultural, municipal and business communities locally and nationally

Exhibition Coordination:

  • Assists with implementation and facilitation of existing summer & fall 2022 public programs and site-specific installations
  • Coordinates administrative, technical and logistical aspects of 2023 biennial in collaboration with Director
  • Assists in drafting Letters of Agreement and contracts for participating artists in consultation with Director
  • Provides research and administrative support to artists and facilitators and coordinates public programs
  • Maintains and contributes to work back plans and critical paths for Biennial and related events, and identifies scheduling conflicts
  • Works with Director, artists and program committee on installation design
  • Prepares shipping and insurance of artworks in collaboration with Operations Manager, including scheduling, requesting quotes, packing, crating, preparing customs forms, and drafting incoming and outgoing condition reports to museum standard
  • May assist Operations Manager with artist and guest travel, hotel, and related hospitality
  • Working alongside director and municipal staff, assists with siting installations within Waterloo Region (built and cultural heritage sites; facilitating public access)
  • Assists with sourcing and engaging contractors such as fabricators and engineers as assigned in line with established procurement processes
  • Provides curatorial and logistical research as required to help realize installations
  • Compiles information for exhibition and installations including labels, text panels, and writes interpretative material for multiple platforms where assigned
  • Assists with coordination of promotional material related to biennial program, including press releases, press kits, maps, and collateral design
  • Compiles and archives documentation, press, etc, on biennial exhibition and ongoing programs

Public Programming/ Audience Development:

  • Works with the Director, programming and education committees to develop public programming content and secures participants in support of outreach and education initiatives aimed at engaging new and diverse audiences
  • Contributes to and edits marketing material with the assistance of the Director
  • Develops interpretation materials for artist installations to be used on website and social media platforms and for educational tours
  • Conducts outreach to local school boards. Schedules and coordinates school tours
  • Participates in the development of marketing strategies for the biennial, increasing public profile and targeting specific audiences
  • Contributes to drafting didactic materials, interpretive texts, marketing content and biennial related publications
  • Works with programming and education committees to develop and design public programs
  • Organizes and delivers training on conducting exhibition tours to volunteers

Undertakes other duties related to the biennial program as required.

Qualifications:

  • A passion for contemporary art in public spaces. Familiarity with KW regional community
  • University degree or relevant experience in curatorial studies, museum studies or arts administration with a specialization in contemporary art at the Masters level preferred.
  • Familiarity with Microsoft Office, Dropbox, and Mac iOS; working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite, zoom, Mailchimp and Drupal considered an asset
  • Familiarity with social media platforms
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Excellent interpersonal skills
  • Excellent planning and organizational skills as well as public presentation and written communication skills. Detail Oriented.
  • Capable of working on multiple projects independently and as part of a team
  • Willingness to work on a variety of tasks
  • Commitment to anti-racism and anti-oppression
  • A team player dedicated to building a collegial and collaborative environment as well as continuously building respectful and trusting relationships with internal and external stakeholders and community members
  • Valid driver’s licence considered an asset

How to Apply:

Please submit a cover letter and CV in a single PDF to [email protected] with the subject “[your name] YCW Program Coordinator Application” by August 10th, 2022. We would prefer to receive applications electronically. Should you require accommodation at any time throughout the application process, please contact [email protected]

We thank all applicants, but only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Interviews will take place in mid-July.

CAFKA is committed to anti-racism and anti-oppression. We invite individuals who reflect the diversity of our community to apply, including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, people of colour, LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, people with disabilities, and members of equity seeking communities. CAFKA is guided by an anti-racism action plan and engages in an accountability audit annually.

This position is funded by the Young Canada Works Program. You must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to be considered for this position:

An individual may be eligible for an internship if they:

  • are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (non-Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent status are not eligible);
  • are legally entitled to work in Canada;
  • are between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment;
  • are willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment;
  • will not have another full-time job (over 30 hours a week) while employed with the program;
  • are unemployed or underemployed;
  • are a college or university graduate; and
  • are not receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits while employed with the program.

 

 

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