Community Engagement Specialist, Toronto Biennial of Art

JOB OPPORTUNITY
TORONTO BIENNIAL OF ART: Community Engagement Specialist

About TBA

The Toronto Biennial of Art (TBA) is a large-scale international contemporary art event available to everyone. For 10 weeks every two years, local and international Biennial artists transform the city (and surrounding regions) with artworks, talks, and performances that reflect local contexts and pressing issues of our time. The Biennial’s free, citywide programming aims to inspire people, bridge communities, and contribute to global conversations.

For detailed information on the impact of the first Biennial, please read the 2019 Evaluation Report.

TBA is committed to transparency and to principles of anti-racism, anti-oppression, equity, and inclusion and is putting these principles into practice at all levels of the organization. Please see TBA’s Statement of Accountability for more information on our commitment to racial justice.

Position Overview

Position: Full time contract, 40 hours/week
Dates: November 1st, 2021- June 30th, 2022
Annual Salary: $45,000
Pay: Bi-weekly
Application Deadline: October 4th, 2021

The Community Engagement Specialist role covers community engagement within the Toronto Biennial of Art. The framing of this position speaks to the Biennial’s commitment to prioritizing community outreach, recognizing the intricate connection between building future audiences, and deepening relationships with publics already participating in Toronto’s growing contemporary art ecosystem.

The Community Engagement Specialist will be responsible for developing an integrated approach to community building for the second edition of the Toronto Biennial, from March 26-June 5, 2022. The Specialist will do so with a view to shaping TBA’s broader long-term goals in this area, but will focus on the period leading up to and during TBA 2022 as a first phase, carefully considering the specific context of the global pandemic. The role involves working with various departments within the TBA team as well as with partners, artists, and key stakeholders as the successful candidate integrates relevant best practices in the field into their practice. TBA’s community outreach approach will specifically seek to engage young adults and racialized groups living in proximity to main Biennial sites located in Toronto’s west end and around the Small Arms Inspection Building in Mississauga.

The Community Engagement Specialist reports to the Manager of Marketing.

Roles and Responsibilities:

General

Practicing within anti-oppression and equitable frameworks at all times, and according to TBA’s related policies.
In dialogue with the TBA team, identifying, connecting with, and building relationships with specific communities and community groups localized near main Biennial sites for deep engagement in Biennial activities.
Applying best practices for community engagement from within the contemporary art and community art fields, and prioritizing accessibility and inclusion protocols.
Supporting the management of a community outreach budget and timeline, and prioritizing resource allocation collaboratively with related TBA departments.
Developing and maintaining specialized contact lists and databases which are stored, shared internally, and updated on TBA’s Google Drive and other related database systems like Salesforce.
Creating evaluation reports as needed and required, including post-mortem and impact reporting.

In Relation to Public Programming

Implementing community outreach events/programs in collaboration with Public Programming.
Generating new, focused partnerships, as well as stewarding and further developing the Biennial’s current community networks in the Toronto and Mississauga regions. These relationships should focus on communities with limited access to arts programming and resources in proximity to main Biennial sites as well as:
◦ Engage young adults, local racialized communities.
◦ Engage with intergenerational audiences.
◦ Build connection to Biennial artists and artistic practices.
◦ Communicate our commitment to reflecting the city’s cultural pluralism.
Assessing and responding to needs within engaged communities, across the accessibility spectrum (financial, mobility, neuro-diversity, cultural, linguistic, etc.), with the support of specialized staff and consultants.

In Relation to Marketing and Communications

Developing and implementing an integrated and realizable framework for audience engagement and community outreach in collaboration with the TBA team, within the unique Covid-19 context. A particular focus on digital marketing tools will be central to this process.
Working collaboratively with the Marketing and Communications team on approaches to community-based communication, with a view to strategic, effective communication with specific groups.
Collaborate and consult on focused campaigns, and consider approaches related to language, platforms, tone, and formats.

Desired Qualifications:

Minimum 3 years of related working experience in connecting arts and cultural events with communities around the GTA.
Experience with community development and leading activities at the community level, ideally involving youth and within marginalized communities.
Holds a bachelor’s degree, or has equivalent experience in arts administration, community outreach and/or related fields.
Deep commitment to approaching all work with knowledge and understanding of, as well as care for, anti-oppression and equity practices.
Proven track record for expanding and making meaningful connections with audiences and forming long lasting partnerships.
Excellent interpersonal management skills and creative problem solving in complex, multi-stakeholder settings.
Works collaboratively, and brings a positive attitude.
Demonstrated ability to manage time and task lists.
Strong organizational and project coordination skills; detail-oriented.
Highly developed oral, written and presentation skills; to support the implementation of communications and marketing strategies within communities; attentive listener.
Ability to work well in a fast-paced organization.
Experience with supporting accessibility needs for community event production.
Strong familiarity with Microsoft Office and Mac iOS; working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite and G-Suite desirable; experience with the Wrike platform an asset.
Assets include: languages spoken other than English; previous training in anti-oppression and equity, de-escalation, and Covid-19 health and safety protocols.

To Apply:

Please send a cover letter and resume to opportunities@torontobiennial.org with the subject line “Community Engagement Specialist position”. Please indicate where you saw this posting. Only selected applicants will be contacted for an interview. For more information visit torontobiennial.org/opportunities.

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