The Opportunity
Urban Ink is seeking an Artistic Director to lead the organization into its next chapter of artistic growth, cultural leadership, and organizational sustainability.
The Artistic Director will steward Urban Ink’s artistic vision and programming while continuing to deepen relationships with Indigenous and culturally diverse artists and communities. This role is both visionary and collaborative, balancing artistic ambition with strategic planning, community care, and organizational leadership. Working in partnership with the Managing Director within a co-leadership model, the Artistic Director will help shape Urban Ink’s future across live performance, film, digital creation, touring, festivals, artistic development, and community-engaged practice.
The Artistic Director will support Urban Ink’s strategic priorities, including:
● Finding and championing new Indigenous and diverse artists and stories
● Producing meaningful Canadian artistic work with increasing social impact
● Expanding audiences, partnerships, and national/international presence
● Supporting sustainable organizational growth and healthy workplace culture
Urban Ink is fiercely proud of its past work and programs. It is simultaneously open to new directions and ideas if they best fulfill the mission and goals of the company.
Artistic Director Roles and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Urban Ink Board of Directors, the Artistic Director will be the organization’s guiding artistic visionary and will co-lead the organization alongside the Managing Director. Urban Ink operates within a collaborative co-leadership structure between the Artistic Director and a Managing Director (to be engaged after the Artistic Director is in place). The Artistic Director and Managing Director work collaboratively to support the organization's overall health, sustainability, and management, bringing distinct areas of expertise to the role.
The Artistic Director will be specifically responsible to:
Artistic Leadership & Programming
● Curate and oversee Urban Ink’s artistic programming, including productions, festivals, workshops, touring initiatives, digital works, and artistic development programs
● Lead artistic planning and season development in alignment with Urban Ink’s mission and strategic priorities
● Support artists through all stages of creation, from early development to full production and presentation
● Champion new Indigenous and culturally diverse voices and stories
● Maintain awareness of contemporary performance practices, artists, and developments in the Canadian and international arts ecology
● Foster artistic collaboration across theatre, film, music, digital storytelling, and multidisciplinary practice
Community Engagement & Cultural Leadership
● Build and sustain meaningful relationships with Indigenous and culturally diverse artists, communities, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and partner organizations
● Act as a public spokesperson and ambassador for Urban Ink through public speaking, media, fundraising, and sector engagement
● Support culturally grounded artistic practices, protocols, and reciprocal community relationships
● Strengthen Urban Ink’s role as a gathering place for artists, audiences, and communities
Organizational Leadership
● Collaborate closely with the Managing Director to align artistic vision with operational planning, financial sustainability, and organizational priorities
● Participate in strategic planning, policy development, and organizational growth initiatives
● Support and mentor staff, contractors, and emerging artists
● Foster a healthy, collaborative, inclusive, and respectful workplace culture
● Participate in Board meetings and provide regular reports on artistic activity and strategic opportunities
Fundraising & Partnerships
● Contribute to grant writing, reporting, fundraising initiatives, sponsorship development, and donor stewardship
● Cultivate partnerships with presenters, festivals, funders, producing organizations, and community collaborators
● Support national and international touring, co-productions, and artistic exchange opportunities
● Help advance Urban Ink’s long-term sustainability and visibility
Operations & Administration
● Collaborate on annual program budgets, staffing plans, production planning, and marketing initiatives
● Support organizational systems and processes that align with Urban Ink’s values and strategic goals
● Balance artistic vision with operational realities and organizational capacity
Candidate Profile
Urban Ink is seeking a collaborative, visionary, and community-minded artistic leader with a strong commitment to culturally diverse storytelling.
We recognize that leadership pathways are not always linear or equitable, and we welcome applicants with a range of lived experiences, artistic practices, and leadership backgrounds.
The ideal candidate is someone who:
● Leads with generosity, integrity, and cultural awareness
● Is passionate about artist development and community relationship-building
● Understands the realities of producing ambitious contemporary work within nonprofit arts structures
● Balances artistic excellence with collaboration, sustainability, and care
● Is excited to imagine new possibilities for Indigenous and culturally diverse storytelling across multiple platforms
Desired Skills & Experience
Artistic & Sector Experience
● Strong artistic vision and curatorial judgment
● Experience developing and producing new artistic work
● Experience in theatre, multidisciplinary performance, film, music, digital media, or related artistic practices
● Knowledge of the Canadian arts landscape and Indigenous and culturally diverse artistic communities
● Experience supporting artists at multiple stages of their careers
Leadership & Collaboration
● Collaborative leadership style rooted in communication, accountability, and relationship-building
● Experience working within team-based or co-leadership structures
● Ability to mentor artists, staff, and emerging cultural leaders
● Strong interpersonal and public communication skills
Strategic & Organizational Capacity
● Experience contributing to organizational planning and long-term visioning
● Ability to balance artistic ambition with financial and operational realities
● Experience participating in grant writing, reporting, fundraising, and partnership development
● Strong organizational and project management skills
Community & Cultural Leadership
● Deep respect for Indigenous cultural practices, protocols, and community relationships
● Commitment to equity, anti-racism, accessibility, and inclusion
● Understanding of reciprocal and community-engaged artistic practice
● Ability to build trust across diverse communities and artistic networks
Indigenous & Culturally Diverse Leadership Considerations
Urban Ink is committed to uplifting Indigenous and culturally diverse leadership at all levels of the organization. We recognize that lived experience, cultural knowledge, and community relationships are essential forms of leadership and expertise.
We strongly encourage applications from:
● First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists and cultural leaders
● Racialized and culturally diverse artists and administrators
● Two-Spirit, LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse leaders
● Artists and leaders from multidisciplinary and community-engaged practices
Urban Ink values leaders who:
● Understand the importance of cultural safety and reciprocal relationships
● Lead with humility, listening, and care
● Embrace collaborative and non-hierarchical approaches to leadership
● Are committed to supporting future generations of artists and storytellers
● Believe in the transformative power of art to create dialogue, healing, empathy, and systemic change
Urban Ink acknowledges that no candidate will possess every qualification listed above. If you believe you will thrive in this role and contribute meaningfully to Urban Ink’s future, we encourage you to apply.
Other Key Traits and Characteristics:
Creativity and Innovation - Creating innovative approaches, programming, processes, technologies, and/or systems to achieve the desired result.
Leadership - Organizing and influencing people to believe in a vision while creating a sense of purpose and direction.
Project Management - Identifying and overseeing all resources, tasks, systems, and people to obtain results.
Self-Starting, Time & Priority Management - Demonstrating initiative and willingness to begin working. While prioritizing and completing tasks to deliver desired outcomes within allotted time frames.
Futuristic Thinking - Imagining, envisioning, projecting, and/or creating what has not yet been actualized while analyzing all situational aspects to make consistently sound and timely decisions.
Planning and Organizing - Establishing courses of action to ensure that work is completed effectively.
Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills - Cooperating with others to meet objectives and the ability to communicate effectively to build rapport while relating to many different people.
Decision Making & Problem Solving - Analyzing all aspects of a situation to make consistently sound and timely decisions with the ability to define, analyze, and diagnose key components of a problem to formulate a solution.
External Stakeholder Focus - Anticipating, meeting, and exceeding stakeholder needs and expectations.
Artist & Employee Development/Coaching - Facilitating, supporting, and contributing to the professional growth of others.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - Being aware and sensitive to the gaps and opportunities with ED&I in the organization.
Compensation
Urban Ink offers a comprehensive compensation package, including an annual salary of $70,000 - $80,000 per year, commensurate with experience and membership in Urban Ink’s extended benefit program. This is a permanent, full-time position located in Vancouver, BC.
Application Instructions
The Urban Ink Artistic Director Search is guided by Martin Bragg, Nicola Dawes, and Nancy Webster of Martin Bragg & Associates. To apply confidentially, please email your letter of interest and resume in Word or PDF format to Martin Bragg & Associates at urbanink@mbassociates.ca
The review of applications will begin immediately. The deadline for receipt of applications is July 10, 2026. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and will receive an acknowledgment of their application. No phone calls, please.
Urban Ink and Martin Bragg & Associates are committed to an open and transparent hiring process and encourage applications from our diverse community.
