Full-time Compensation: $67,080 – $73,320 salary ($43 – $47/hr or $2,795 – $3,055 semi-monthly) + group health and dental insurance, 3 weeks paid vacation, and annual gym/wellness supplement.
Eligibility: Canadian citizen or permanent resident or refugee status with legal entitlement to work
Primary job location: xʷməθkwəy̓əm, Skwxwú7mesh, and Səl̓ílwətaʔ Nations (Vancouver, BC)
Reporting to: Associate Director
Introduction
221A is a nonprofit cultural organization located on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, also known as Vancouver, BC, Canada. Our mission is to work with artists and designers to research and develop social, cultural, and ecological infrastructure. We operate programs and services that include Fellowships, Artist Housing, and Artist Studio spaces. We are seeking applications for the role of Head of Programs to lead the organization’s artistic programming.
The Head of Programs is a core role at 221A that is responsible for artistic programs, specifically:
- Fellowships,
- Library Collection,
- x̱aw̓s shew̓áy̓ New Growth《新生林》Garden, and
- Artists/tenants rights.
We are seeking a leader within the arts who is collaborative, positive, and nurturing, and who has an understanding of non-profit business practices in BC/Canada. They have intimate knowledge of contemporary BIPOC artistic/cultural practices, and experience in creating, convening, and facilitating public-facing programs, with a focus on BIPOC and historically excluded communities who may have never previously visited or participated in art galleries and cultural organizations.
Even if you feel you may not meet all the qualifications, please consider applying—221A is mindful of the systemic barriers faced by job applicants, and we will consider combinations of lived experience, work experience, and education, as well as opportunities for mentorship.
First Months
The foremost task of the Head of Programs will be planning, designing, and launching the redesigned Fellowship program at 825 Pacific, in which artists are paid a living wage and provided with studio space to create a body of work over a period of 18 months. Each Fellow is expected to contribute to 221A’s Library collection and present their work. The Head of Programs is tasked with leading a series of public presentations (talks, film screenings, exhibitions, etc.) developed in collaboration with each of the Fellows starting in Fall 2023.
This position supervises two programming roles, and will join a staff of 15–18. The Head of Programs role is supported by administrative, finance, HR, fundraising, grant writing, and technical/facilities staff.
Candidate Qualifications
- Curatorial / cultural leadership: thoughtful programming; research/curatorial skills; functional understanding of conditions necessary for artistic collaboration and production
- Speaking and facilitation: convening, diplomacy, facilitation, and public speaking skills
- People leadership: ability to coach, supervise, and mentor staff and contractors, including being responsible, compassionate, and understanding of employees’ needs and roles
- Language skills: English written and verbal skills.
- Presence: day-to-day in-person and online in 221A’s programs, offices, and software
- Values: Alignment with 221A’s values (221a.ca/about)
- Cultural competencies: anti-racism and intercultural relationships and empowerment
- Indigenous relationships and experiences: commitment to and/or experience in reciprocal relationships with Host Nations, and an understanding of historical and contemporary Indigenous experiences
- Non-profit sector conditions: Understanding of municipal, provincial, and federal stakeholders, factors of influence, and engagement expectations
- Visual communication skills: Editorial and digital communication skills adaptable towards different stakeholder needs
- Administrative skills: strong digital document authoring and management skills
- Confidentiality: high level of discretion with sensitive information
- Additional considerations:
- IT familiarity considered an asset
- Collections acquisition and development
- Additional language fluency, including ASL, is considered an asset
Working Conditions
The Head of Programs holds regular hours at 221A’s office/program facilities (indoor and outdoor) and through teleworking (work-from-home) where applicable. They will be exposed to noise and regular flow of people from office and facility environments. They must have the capacity for extended periods of concentration with computer and mobile phone technology. Computer and mobile phone technologies will be provided, or payment will be made in-lieu by 221A.
In the normal course of work, there may be occasional exposure to particles and particulates produced by art-making, as well as to exposure to allergens related to work in the garden. 221A strongly adheres to WorkSafeBC standards and will provide PPE where appropriate. However, due to the above considerations, we cannot promise a scent or noise reduced space.
Duties and Responsibilities
Planning and development (35%)
- Planning – contributing to Strategic Plans, Annual Plans and Budgets with a focus on the creation of specific schedules, budgets, and plans for artistic programs.
- Policy – contributing to Policy, with a focus on policies pertinent to Fellowships, Library and x̱aw̓s shew̓áy̓ Garden programs
- Reporting – creating written reports and presentations on the programs to applicable management/Board meetings/committees and planning sessions.
- Program knowledge – keeping up to date on community and sectoral standards on artistic practices, as well as managing expectations of programming participants
- Staff meetings and activities – modelling team leadership and taking part in collaborative work meetings and activities
- Grant writing, correspondence, and grant reporting – in collaboration with grant writing staff, prepare proposals, including narrative and budget, and coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to submit materials on time.
Programming (65%)
- Calls for artists – accountable for developing and supervising calls for artists, including communication copy, application materials and responding to public inquiries
- Selection – accountable for the confidential nominations / selection process of all programming participants
- Agreements – developing agreements with program participants that comply with Policy and government conventions through legal counsel, and making agreements with Fellows, including providing information and guidance to Fellows
- Public announcements and program communications – accountable for directing communications on Fellows and x̱aw̓s shew̓áy̓ Garden, including consideration of conventional and non-conventional media, and, with the support of communications and program contractors and staff, the creation of content for public announcements and programs
- Orientation of artists – accountable, with the support of program and technical staff, for ensuring artists are appropriately oriented to the facilities and the organization
- Events and programs – accountable, with the support of program and technical staff, for creation of generative, accessible, and well organized events and programs for the public, both in person and online; ensuring that appropriate data and documentation are gathered with consent.
Employment Equity
221A is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applicants on all points on spectrums of race, place of origin, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, and ability.
Apply
Priority for this position will be given to:
- Black, Indigenous, and other racialized applicants
- People living with disabilities
- Queer, trans, 2-Spirit, and non-binary people
Please send your cover letter and CV/resume by email to hr@221a.ca.
Please use “[Full Name], Head of Programs” in the Subject Line.
Ensure your cover letter includes your name, email, and contact information
This call will remain open until the position is filled. 221A thanks all applicants in advance for understanding that due to capacity limitations, only applicants under consideration will be contacted.
Useful Links
- 221A.ca
- 221A Staff Policy (if you belong to an organization and would like to comment on or adapt any of these policies please get in touch with us)