Programs and Community Outreach Assistant, Onsite Gallery

Toronto, ON
$21.46 per hour
Permanent
Full-time

1 month ago

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 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 reflecting Toronto’s communities, 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 art and design communities, 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 alongside 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 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 live and/or virtual programs 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, support with the implementation of Onsite Gallery accessibility plan, research exhibition themes, collections and related topics, and promote 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 research support and implement actionable recommendations for improving accessibility at Onsite Gallery
Provide support and shift back-up to front-desk gallery attendants
Monitor participation levels and demographic data of workshop participants to inform program development.
Support development and research for exhibition educational guides
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 and accessibility.
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
Assist Onsite Gallery staff with researching, developing, and implementing accessibility measures to support inclusive exhibitions, programming and visitor experiences

Qualifications:

Enrolled in a post-secondary degree program in a related field (e.g. Museum Studies, Curatorial Studies, Marketing, Communications, Visual Culture, etc.)
Previous experience with hospitality service
Comfortable with speaking in public for all age levels
Minimum of one (1) year of museum education, marketing & communications experience, preferably in an arts and culture setting, or equivalent combination (hospitality) of education and experience
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
General interest on contemporary art
Proficient digital photography and video-recording skills required

Compensation: $21.46 per hourHours of Work: Wednesday to Friday, for a total of 21 hours per week. This is a temporary 12-week summer contract from Wednesday, May 13, to Friday, July 31, 2026. Flexible hours necessary to support public programming on evenings and weekends. An extension through mid-August may be considered pending funding.The incumbent in this role will be expected to report to work in-person at the gallery.Application Deadline: Interested applicants are invited to apply by emailing a cover letter, CV, and samples of social media marketing work (JPEGs or links) to with the subject line: “Young Canada Works Programs and Community Outreach Assistant.”Please note that only applications submitted by email will be considered, as applications submitted through external job posting sites will not be reviewed.Your cover letter and CV must be combined into a single PDF document.The deadline to apply is Wednesday, March 25, 2026.This position is contingent on partial government funding from the Government of Canada’s Young Canada Works Heritage Organizations 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

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