In accordance with the OAC’s hiring mandate for this designated program area and pursuant to Section 24 of the Ontario Human Rights Code, the selection will be limited to Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis) applicants. As such, candidates must self-identify within their application their Indigenous Nation(s) (First Nation, Inuit, Métis), and the community(ies) where they are from.
The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) requires an Indigenous arts professional with experience in arts administration, and knowledge and expertise working with and in support of Indigenous arts, artists, collectives and organizations to join the Indigenous arts team in the newly added role of associate program officer.
Under the guidance of and in collaboration with the program officer the associate program officer will support the management of Indigenous arts granting programs and other assigned responsibilities.
The new role will strengthen support provided by the team for Indigenous artists and leadership in Ontario.
Responsibilities:
- Administers assigned granting programs and supports the development of these programs with the responsible program officer
- Provides information, consultative advice and feedback to applicants and engages with Indigenous peoples in a safe and respectful manner
- Collaborates and participates in program planning, evaluation activities and administration, and supports special initiatives and services for the diverse Indigenous creative communities
- Facilitates the peer assessment grants process
- Reports and presents peer assessment grant recommendations to director, CEO and potentially the board of directors
- Supports the development of tools and processes to reduce systemic barriers for Indigenous applicants to access funding and create greater equity and inclusion
- Fosters and strengthens relationships through outreach and participates in the development and planning of outreach initiatives, information and grant writing workshops and initiatives, to better meet the needs and interests of the diverse Indigenous peoples and their communities.
- Provides the program officer with support in reporting on program updates and capturing highlights for internal and external communications
- Provides support for granting programs and for program officer(s) outside of Indigenous arts as assigned or when necessary, as assistance is required
- Ensures effective application of program budgets and program workflow
- Attends events on evenings and weekends and travels in Ontario, including remote / rural and Northern regions, to meet with artists and arts organizations on an occasional basis
Summary of Key Qualifications:
- Experience and knowledge in Indigenous arts both customary and contemporary practices within a multi-disciplinary context
- 3+ years of mid to senior arts leadership experience in Indigenous arts
- Knowledge of Indigenous philosophies and ways of working, including barriers, key issues and trends coming from experience and credibility working within and in support of diverse Indigenous arts communities in the province
- Experienced and knowledgeable in grant writing and public funding systems
- Knowledge and experience of OAC’s grant application assessment process, as an applicant to the OAC, and using OAC’s application system (Nova) are assets
- Solid organizational and administrative practices and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities
- Adept at analyzing financial information pertaining to art project budgets; and preferred for arts organizations budgets
- Critical thinker with sound judgement and initiative
- Strong meeting facilitation skills and experience
- Proficiency in verbal and written English, and bilingualism in an Indigenous language and/or French is a plus
- Communicates succinctly and persuasively in written, oral, and public presentation formats
- Collaborative and engages constructively with diverse populations, both internally and externally
- Computer proficiency in MS Office Suite of programs as well as databases
- Valid driver’s license is a preferred asset
