ABOUT SAW
From its inception in 1973, the artist-run centre SAW has supported politically and socially engaged art, focusing on the performance and media arts. Many of the world’s best-known artists have exhibited at SAW in the early stages of their careers. Begun by a group of local artists, the gallery was originally part of the legendary café Le Hibou on Sussex Drive, hence the name SAW, an acronym for Sussex Annex Works. In 1981, the centre founded the SAW Video cooperative to support independent video artists and documentarists. During this time, the centre also initiated Club SAW, which has become the most important multidisciplinary space in the region. In 1989, SAW Gallery, SAW Video and Club SAW moved into the historic Arts Court building. Since 2001, SAW Video, now called the Digital Arts Resource Centre, has operated as a distinct organization no longer legally affiliated with SAW, although both share a home at Arts Court and continue to collaborate on many projects. SAW aims to become a premier artist-run centre in Canada and the world, engaging ininnovative programming, outreach and exchange initiatives. With over 30,000 visitors each year, SAW is a prime destination in the Ottawa-Gatineau region for contemporary art.
In 2023, SAW will be celebrating its 50th anniversary, making the organization one of the longest-running artist-run spaces in North America. Throughout the year, SAW will be hosting a series of special programs and marquee events to commemorate this major milestone. In addition to special exhibitions and programming that recognizes SAW’s history and legacy as a forward-thinking artist-run centre dedicated to socially and politically engaged contemporary performance and media art, plus exciting international presenting partnerships that help SAW connect local arts communities with international artists and scenes, SAW is working with its long-standing community partners to support community-engaged exhibitions, screenings and special public events that celebrate our past and envision our shared futures.
JOB PROFILE
Working with SAW’s Artistic Associate, Curator, Director and other staff, the main objectives of the Programming Coordinator is to assist with programming and production coordination for SAW 50th anniversary programs.This internship will offer one candidate the opportunity to gain experience in event production, program coordination, and more. They will work with a small team on a major anniversary project that offers opportunities to network with national and international artists and curators, and will have access to learning opportunities related to the many facets of artist-run centre operations.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Research and gather examples of partnership agreements, and develop a draft template for a partnership agreement for 50th anniversary presenting partnerships
- Work with the SAW team to develop communication and outreach strategies related to the 50th anniversary programs
- Develop outreach materials in collaboration with the Artistic Associate
- Research and develop outreach contact lists, and work with the Artistic Associate to review lists for accuracy and relevance.
- Create information systems to organize artists’ personal information and travel requirements.
- Communicate with artists and representatives about personal information, travel preferences, accessibility needs, and itineraries, and organize information into databases accessible to the rest of the team.
- Research and review volunteer recruitment strategies of similar organizations.
- Develop, update and maintain volunteer contact lists.
- Develop 50th anniversary-specific orientation documents for volunteers and partners.
- Develop training plans for volunteers.
- Create and implement communication templates and systems to communicate with dozens of volunteers about various different schedules and tasks
- Develop volunteer feedback-gathering mechanisms and reporting frameworks for management.
- Work alongside SAW staff to coordinate event logistics and understand roles and responsibilities during events.
- ‘Shadow’ team members during events to learn more about event production, and work toward leading the production of smaller events by the end of the internship.
- Provide on-site event production support.
- Establish goals for participant surveys and feedback gathering forums.
- Develop different surveys for different stakeholders, and review/proofread questions in collaboration with Artistic Associate
- Coordinate with SAW Director and Artistic Associate to determine incentives for survey respondents; coordinate distribution of incentives as applicable.
- Distribute surveys to contact lists, and follow up with contacts.
QUALIFICATIONS
- College or university studies in communications, art history, curatorial studies, visual arts, museum studies, music, arts administration or a related field;
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills;
- Excellent organizational skills;
- Excellent time management skills;
- Demonstrated ability to work independently or as part of a team;
- Strong interest in programming and event production;
- Strong interest in community outreach and development;
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint;
- Proficiency with Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator will be considered and asset, but is not a requirement;
- Must be proficient in English and French.
Who can apply
This position is funded in part through the Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage program, and all applicants must be registered in the YCW candidate pool and meet the current YCW-BCH eligibility criteria. An individual may be eligible for an internship if they:
- are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (non-Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent status are not eligible);
- are legally entitled to work in Canada;
- are between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment;
- are willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment;
- will not have another full-time job (over 30 hours a week) while employed with the program;
- are unemployed or underemployed;
- are a college or university graduate; and
- are not receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits while employed with the program.
Note: Priority will be given to graduates that have not previously participated in YCW internship programs.
Details: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/young-canada...
HOW TO APPLY
Please send a cover letter, your résumé and 2-3 references to Rachel Weldon, Programmer, at rachel@saw-centre.com with “Programming Coordinator” in the subject line. While SAW appreciates all applications, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted.
SAW is committed to equity and inclusion, and welcomes applications from women, people with disabilities and diverse Indigenous, cultural and regional communities.
