Company: OCAD University
Location: Toronto, ON
Expected salary: $21.46 per hour
Job date: Thu, 03 Apr 2025 04:10:09 GMT
Job description: OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Haudenosaunee, the Anishinaabeg and the Huron-Wendat, who are the original owners and custodians of the land on which we live, work and create, Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university, is a vibrant community of bold, curious and compassionate artists, designers and scholars who are imagining and creating a joyful, equitable and sustainable world. The University is an internationally renowned hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity, and arts administration. It embraces collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches to change-making through art, design-thinking curriculum and research, making OCAD U a local, regional, national and global leader in art and design.It is an exciting time to join the OCAD U community as the University is at a key stage in its institutional transformation, with the implementation of its and guiding principles — driving positive impact; decolonization, indigenization and equity; environmental sustainability; emerging as a vibrant hub; student centered approaches; innovation in learning teaching and research; and financial stewardship.is the flagship professional gallery of OCAD University and an experimental curatorial platform for art, design, and new media. Onsite Gallery is located within the entertainment district’s cultural corridor of Downtown Toronto at 199 Richmond St. W. Onsite Gallery presents contemporary, Indigenous, and public art and design to advance knowledge creation and stimulate local and international conversations on the urgent issues of our time. The gallery’s exhibitions are complemented by vibrant outdoor mural projects, hybrid in-person and accessible digital public programming, and research engaging Onsite Gallery’s permanent collection. Alongside working with artists and curators of diverse backgrounds, cultural and embodiment contexts, Onsite Gallery promotes engaged citizenship and arts appreciation through powerful and thought-provoking exhibitions and public events.Onsite Gallery fosters positive social change and contributes to cultural transformation through increasing public understanding of the value of the art and design in contemporary society. Supporting the art and design community, the gallery provides ongoing support and collaboration opportunities for local and international artists, curators, designers and visual culture researchers, as well as partnering organizations. Onsite Gallery’s annual programming also impacts the OCAD University community comprised of students and faculty and the general public by offering innovative learning experiences in arts and culture. Furthermore, an integral part of the gallery’s goals is to provide wide-ranging experiential opportunities, such as mentorships, co-productions, placements, contracts and partnerships to stimulate curricular, non-curricular and experiential learning and innovative experiences in art, design and curatorial practice.Onsite Gallery at OCAD University is seeking a Young Canada Works Programs and Community Outreach Assistant to play a vital role in supporting Onsite Gallery public programming and outreach efforts along with marketing initiatives.Reporting to the Programs & Community Coordinator, and working closely with the gallery staff, the Programs and Community Outreach Assistant will play a pivotal supporting role in advancing Onsite Gallery’s public programming, communication strategies and community engagement. The Programs and Outreach Assistant will support the gallery’s in-person and virtual events through documentation, coordination, promotion and hospitality-related interaction with artists, curators, guest lecturers and workshop facilitators, event attendees and technicians.Through the mentorship of Onsite Gallery’s Programs & Community Coordinator, they will be invited to propose and produce a live and/or virtual program to complement gallery exhibitions and themes. They will support Onsite Gallery’s daily functions through their role to expand and activate outreach which includes producing research promoting artist biographies and practices, exhibition themes and related topics, and relevant news items through the circulation of social media and website content designed for public-wide community engagement.The ideal candidate for the position of Programs and Community Outreach Assistant will have a background and demonstrated knowledge – through previous employment or education and volunteer experience – in art gallery/museum education and communications within a contemporary art gallery or for profit / non-profit cultural organization. The candidate is currently enrolled in post-secondary studies preferably in the field of art history, curatorial practice or museum studies and will return to school in the fall semester.The candidate will bring excellent communication and organizational skills, general administration experience, as well as the ability to take direction, work independently and with a team. They will have a demonstrated ability to apply critical thinking, a great sense for detail, information accuracy and enthusiasm for writing and researching art and culture.Summary of Responsibilities:
Programs and Community Outreach Assistant will have some general familiarity with, or the willingness to learn, the following skill set:
- Assist with the planning, development and execution of a variety of public programs
- Provide administrative support to programs and events: inventory, supplies, attendance sheets, set-up, and take-down, facilitate program evaluations.
- Create visitor experience report by compiling the data information based on Gallery Visitor Survey and develop a marketing strategy to enhance visitor experience
- Provide support to front-desk gallery attendants
- Monitor participation levels and demographic data of workshop participants to inform program development.
- Assisting with the research and arrangement of community outreach initiatives that can inform our gallery and events/workshop activities.
- Uphold an inviting gallery environment to foster positive and memorable experiences for all visitors, ensuring they feel welcomed, valued, and supported during their visit
- Daily engagement with Onsite Gallery’s public social media applications
- Create social media content and graphics for Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) LinkedIn and Eventbrite
- Support, manage and develop the promotional activities of events e-blasts
- Monitor and engage with the audience on social media platforms.
- Ensure all content meets brand guidelines, is error-free, and adheres to best practices for digital content creation.
- Excellent verbal, speaking and written communication skills and strong interpersonal skills
- Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated with the ability to think and act strategically, take direction, work effectively, and show initiative
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
- Ability to problem solve effectively in an independent manner
- Advanced computer skills, including MS Office, Windows, and working knowledge of Adobe design software and social media platforms (including analytics)
- Ability to learn new technologies, programs, and procedures quickly and retain information
- Support Gallery in-person and virtual events, hospitality and engagement
- Produce digital photographic and video documentation of gallery programs and content
Qualifications:
- Enrolled in a post-secondary degree program in a related field (e.g. Museum Studies, Curatorial Studies, Marketing, Communications)
- Previous experience with hospitality service
- Comfortable with speaking in public and all ages
- Minimum of one (1) year of museum education, marketing & communications experience, preferably in an arts and culture setting, or equivalent combination of education and experience is required
- Strong written, speaking and verbal communication skills with attention to detail.
- Basic understanding of marketing principles and communication strategies.
- Ability to multitask, prioritize assignments, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Creative thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, Adobe Creative Suite and familiarity with social media platforms.
- Strong editorial skills for written content
- Comfortable working within Apple and Google environments, with proficiency in Microsoft Office and the ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing
- Proficient digital photography and video-recording skills required.
Compensation: $21.46 per hour, inclusive of vacation pay.Hours of Work: Wednesday to Friday, for a total of 21 hours per week. This is a temporary 12-week summer contract from Wednesday, June 04, to Wednesday, August 27, 2025.The incumbent in this role will be expected to report to work in-person at the gallery.Application Deadline: Interested applicants may apply by emailing a cover letter, CV and samples of social media marketing (jpeg or links) to with the subject heading “Young Canada Works Programs and Community Outreach Assistant.” Please compile your cover letter and CV as one PDF. The review of applications will begin immediately and continue until Monday, April 14, 2025.This position is contingent on partial government funding from the Government of Canada’s YCW program. All eligible job candidates must be registered on the Government of Canada’s YCW website in order to qualify for selection.As an institution committed to art, design, digital media and related scholarship, Onsite Gallery at OCAD University recognizes the profound and essential value that diversity brings to the creation, reception and circulation of creative practices and discourse. Onsite Gallery at OCAD University understands that valuing diverse creative practices and forms of knowledge are essential to and enrich the institution’s core mission and vision as an art and design university with a local and global scope.As an employer committed to employment equity, we encourage applications from members of equity-seeking communities including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.For more information for on accommodations, please visit .All qualified persons are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority. While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those short-listed will be contacted.
OCAD University acknowledges the ancestral territories of Indigenous peoples, is a leading art and design institution, and is currently undergoing institutional transformation. Onsite Gallery at OCAD University is hiring a Young Canada Works Programs and Community Outreach Assistant to support public programming and marketing efforts. The ideal candidate will have a background in art gallery/museum education, strong communication skills, and be enrolled in a related post-secondary program. The position pays $21.46 per hour and requires 21 hours of work per week from June to August. Interested applicants must apply by April 14, 2025, and be registered on the Government of Canada’s YCW website to be eligible. Onsite Gallery values diversity and encourages applications from equity-seeking communities.
