BIPOC Artistic Co-Director, Eyelevel

Benny Welter-Nolan, Eyelevel Moving Marathon. Photo: Erica Flake

Call for Artistic Co-Director

Deadline Extended, apply by: May 21, 2023

Eyelevel is seeking an experienced, enthusiastic, community-engaged individual to take on the role of Artistic Co-Director alongside Sally Wolchyn-Raab. The Artistic Co-Directors are the primary representatives of Eyelevel, and together they are responsible for the daily operations of the organization.

The Artistic Co-Directors will work alongside the Board of Directors and Eyelevel’s Committees to ensure that existing programs and projects remain on track and are carried out with care while planning for the future of Eyelevel’s programming/vision. This successful applicant will receive training from the current Co-Directors, with at least a two-week overlap period between the incoming and outgoing Director. This position is ideal for someone who has experience working in non-profit and community organizations or artist run centres and who would like to challenge themselves with an autonomous leadership position. The Artistic Co-Director will report directly to the Board of Directors and will be subject to a 3-month probationary period.

Eyelevel values the skills and lived experiences of those who have been under-represented in contemporary art and artist-run culture in our region. In view of rectifying historical inequities and in keeping with Eyelevel’s mandate and strategic plan to create more opportunities for Black, Indigenous and People of Colour within the arts. This position is designated for BIPOC candidates only, with priority given to those who identify as Mi’kmaw and African Nova Scotian. Eyelevel is committed to employment equity; we encourage applications from those who self-identify to their comfort as 2SLGBTQIA+, women, trans or gender diverse, Persons with Disabilities, or members of language minorities.

Start Date: June 5, 2023 (flexible)
Duration: 1-year contract, renewable upon budgetary approval
Hours: 35 hours per week
Salary: $40,000.00

Flexible hours and work location: Eyelevel provides a laptop with Microsoft Office, Adobe Suite and Zoom Pro account, and a shared cell phone. The Co-Directors collaborate on covering bookstore open hours (Wed-Fri 12-5 PM) and work in a hybrid in-office and work-from-home format at their discretion

Other benefits: 4 weeks paid vacation, 2 weeks paid artistic/professional development leave, extended health benefits and health spending account, 12 paid sick days per year.

Primary Responsibilities

These duties are shared between the Artistic Co-Directors with the division of labour being a collaborative and ongoing conversation between them. Responsibilities may also be carried out through the hiring and management of sub-contractors, service providers or volunteers as they see fit

Programming & Outreach

Planning, organizing, and animating all artistic projects including residencies, exhibitions, publications, workshops, artist talks, etc.
Ensuring proper coverage and open hours of Eyelevel’s Bookstore and any temporary exhibition or project sites
Ensuring that all projects, events and Eyelevel news are properly marketed to the public and press contacts
Maintaining working and collaborative relationships with other organizations in HRM and beyond

Operational and Management

Writing grants and external funding applications, and preparing all final reports for funders
Managing and maintaining office files, and updating the archives
Overseeing the day-to-day financial upkeep of the organization including bookkeeping, accounts payables, preparing financial reports to the Board and maintaining operating and project budgets
Coordinating volunteers and supporting the Board of Directors with carrying out their duties and accessing Eyelevel’s resources
Attending monthly Board and Committee meetings and other after-hours meetings as deemed necessary
Hiring and supervising contract employees and service providers as needed

Collaborative Responsibilities

These duties are carried out in partnership with Eyelevel’s Board of Directors and committees, with accountability ultimately resting on the Board and Committee Chairs

Working with the Board and Engagement Committee to coordinate fundraising activities and cultivating financial support through donations
Working with the Programming Committee to coordinate regular juries and proposal reviews
Working with the Board to implement Eyelevel’s Strategic Plan
Working with all those involved with Eyelevel to develop, grow and uphold anti-oppression frameworks within the organization’s operations and programming

Qualifications & Skills

a post-secondary degree/diploma in Fine Arts, Arts Administration or equivalent experience within the arts and culture sector
experience with presenting and planning arts or community events, including working with and supporting artists
experience working or volunteering with an artist-run centre, small nonprofit or similar organization
demonstrated grant and/or proposal writing skills (personal and/or organizational)
experience working with a Board of Directors and volunteers
prior experience supervising or managing others
a proven record of strong communication and writing skills
experience with budget preparation, financial management, and working within fixed budgets
strong computer literacy including G Suite, MacOS and social media platforms
graphic design and website maintenance experience an asset
valid driver’s licence an asset
language skills other than english valued

Other skills and attributes

be self-motivated, energetic, and will have the ability to work both independently and collaboratively
able to set their own tasks, manage projects independently and set priorities for the organization’s daily, monthly and annual needs
possess a working knowledge of local, national and international art
have a familiarity with and enthusiasm for artist-run culture
be community-minded and interested in outreach activities that engage the art community as well as the wider public
Patient and thoughtful communicator
a strong knowledge of anti-oppression frameworks including but not limited to anti-racism and accessibility initiatives within nonprofits and the arts
possess strong interpersonal skills to work cooperatively to develop quality programs;
be able to work cooperatively with an active Board of Directors, driven by a shared vision for Eyelevel

Deadline to Apply: May 21st by 11:59PM ADT (deadline extended!)

To apply, please submit the following as a single PDF document to HRcommittee@eyelevel.art by the deadline.

A cover letter (2 pages max.) detailing your experience and interest in this position
A Curriculum Vitae or Resume (3 pages max.)
1 sample of critical, academic, creative or administrative writing (1 page max.)
Those selected for an interview will be asked to provide 2 professional references.

You may submit an audio or video recording of up to 7 minutes maximum instead of a written cover letter. For application support please reach out to Wren Tian at wren@eyelevel.art

Please direct all questions to Wren Tian & Sally Wolchyn-Raab, Eyelevel’s Artistic Co-Directors. They can be reached at info@eyelevel.art or 902-425-6412 (call or text).

Access Notes

Eyelevel’s office and bookstore are wheelchair accessible. We offer a flexible work environment with a great deal of autonomy and work-from-home options. Our office and bookstore is housed at 2482 Maynard Street, a low-stimuli, scent-free environment housing wheelchair accessible non-gendered washrooms, artist studios, a quiet room, a shared kitchenette, and the lovely community arts organization Wonder’neath.

Eyelevel’s studios on Gottingen Street are only accessible by climbing a full flight of stairs (with a railing), and studios are located up a spiral staircase with a railing. The Studios have one non-gendered washroom and are located alongside Radstorm, a collective sharing Eyelevel’s principles of community equity. Please let us know of any accessibility needs and/or allergies and sensitivities in your application.