Artist Relations Coordinator, Toronto Outdoor Art Fair

Job Call: Toronto Outdoor Art Fair Artist Relations Coordinator

Hours: Full-time contract (3-month probation period)
Start Date: Before the end of October 2023
Salary & Benefits: $45,000 annually
$1,000 Annual Health Spending Account
10-days Vacation Time
Paid break between Christmas and New Year’s Day
Professional and Career Development Opportunities

Deadline to Apply: Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

About the Role and Ideal Candidate

In the Artist Relations Coordinator role, you support 400+ artists who showcase and sell their work to 165,000 visitors at Canada’s largest contemporary outdoor art fair.

You will champion artists throughout their journey of successful participation at the annual Fair. This journey starts from artist recruitment, outreach and info sessions during the Call for Artists, which attracts over 1,000 applicants from December – March; supporting jury sessions and coordination of the extensive selection process; guiding the selected roster of artists through professional development workshops and ultimately through the 3-days at Nathan Phillips Square each July.

As part of this role, you will facilitate specialized programs and partners like the Art Encounters Access Program, Travel Bursary Program, OCAD U Career Launchers, and Community Booths. You will be working in collaboration with the team and under the supervision of the Operations Manager.

TOAF is a significant economic driver for self-represented Canadian artists, providing opportunities such as commissions, exhibition invitations, gallery representation and a collective income of over $2 million in artwork sales. We are looking for someone who is genuinely passionate and invested in the success of artists and the impact TOAF has on artists’ careers. This position offers a pathway to a long-term career in the arts with opportunities for learning and growth, following the successful trajectory of previous role holders.

Must-Have Soft Skills

• You are super organized and have meticulous attention to detail. You will be working with large numbers of artists (400+) and a high volume of inquiries that require organized systems, processes and lists.
• You possess exceptional verbal and written communication and presentation skills. You will be on the phone, email and face-to-face with artists daily and should be able to provide support concisely, clearly and efficiently.
• Being calm, collected and resilient under pressure and demanding circumstances comes naturally to you. It is only 2- 3 months of the year when the pressure starts building, and the 3 days of the Fair are intense – yet incredibly rewarding. A flexible mindset and a good sense of humour can take you a long way.

Experience & Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience working in cultural events (ideally with artists) or 2+ years working in customer service and/or public-facing positions
• Experience as a working visual artist with knowledge of various mediums and creation processes and familiarity with nuances of artist careers, such as submissions, critiques, art fairs and exhibition participation, is a strong asset
• Post-secondary degree in Fine Arts, Arts Administration/Nonprofit leadership or Event Management is an asset
• Familiarity with the following digital tools: Google Drive, Excel Sheets, WordPress, Mailchimp, Zoom, Instagram Live, Video Captioning Tools, etc.

What We Do

Toronto Outdoor Art Fair (TOAF) is Canada’s largest and longest-running outdoor art fair. Our event showcases 400+ contemporary visual artists, music and dance performances, and art installations to 165,000 visitors at Nathan Phillips Square annually in July. In response to the pandemic, TOAF created a highly successful and engaging online economic platform and programming alongside the in-person event.

How We Work

The core team, including the Artist Relations Coordinator, consists of 3 – 4 people year-long. For the annual Fair, our operations expand to include 10 – 14 contract staff. We have exponentially grown the organization’s operations, programming and budget in recent years. We are a dynamic, resourceful, and high-performing team.

Our work environment is fun, upbeat, thoughtful, fast-paced, sometimes demanding, and always worthwhile. We love what we do and thrive in this cyclical environment, and the challenges festival work brings.

Location and Hours

This is a work-from-office position. During the planning cycle (August – January), we work Four (4) days a week at the TOAF Office (401 Richmond Street West, Toronto) and complete the rest of the work remotely using Zoom and Slack. All work is completed from the office during the production cycle (February – July). You must be available for some evening events (6 – 10 across the year) and weekends (3 – 4 approx). Schedules are adjusted with time off during the week for these instances.

Deadline to Apply: Open until position is filled

How to Apply

Please email careers@TOAF.ca with “Artist Relations Coordinator” in the subject line and include:

• Your resume
• A cover letter (max. two pages) addressed to anahita azrahimi, Executive & Creative Director, that addresses why you would like to work for TOAF and illustrates how your skills, knowledge and experience match the duties and qualifications.
• Links to your artist website and social media accounts, if applicable
• Applicants selected for an interview will be required to provide 2 work references with current contact information.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We are an equal-opportunity employer.

The Toronto Outdoor Art Fair is a registered charitable nonprofit organization.

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