We’re hiring! Two positions available

 

ArtsBuild Ontario (ABO) is looking to hire two positions to join our team to support our services and operations at 44 Gaukel Creative Workspace. We are currently looking to hire:

ArtsBuild Ontario is an organization that is working to embed the values of individual and group differences within its working environment. We strive to embrace the diversity of backgrounds and perspectives of our staff, members, arts community, and partners. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, and people across the spectrums of gender, sexuality, age, and abilities are encouraged to apply.

Applicants are welcome to submit a resume and cover letter until Wednesday, November 9 to Alex Glass, Executive Director at alex@artsbuildontario.ca. No phone calls please.


ABO’s Brief for Pre-Budget Consultations 2022

ArtsBuild Ontario submitted a brief for the 2022 Provincial Pre-Budget Consultations calling for a permanent cultural infrastructure fund at the provincial level.

Creative spaces (like theatres, museums, galleries, etc…) are the places where arts and culture happen. Despite their importance, facilities are the most under-resourced component of arts operations. This strain was magnified throughout the pandemic with the closure and reduced operations of cultural venues across the province. With support from the Province of Ontario, arts organizations can rebuild themselves with new digital, COVID-19-safe, and sustainable infrastructure that will allow for the economic recovery of the sector. 

We suggest the following recommendations: 

Establish a permanent cultural infrastructure fund of $15-20 million annually

  • We believe that access to a provincial capital fund for cultural infrastructure is necessary for building COVID-19-safe and digitally-forward creative spaces. This investment would support the sustainability and growth of our cultural assets in Ontario.
  • Our data indicates that arts organizations in Ontario collectively need $300 million to complete current and future capital projects. 
  • We recommend coordinating with the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund, which provides matching funds at the Federal level. Many small to medium-sized organizations struggle to apply to this fund as there is no significant provincial level grant adequate to meet their needs.
  • We are thankful for the reinstatement of the Ontario Trillium Foundation’s Capital Stream – as this is the only provincial fund available for arts organizations and their capital projects. The maximum amount awarded for this grant is $150,000; however, our data demonstrates that the investment needed to adequately support creative spaces far exceeds this amount. 
  • We recommend that this fund be accessible to small to medium-sized arts organizations, to support short-term space leases (under 5 years). 
  • Lastly, arts organizations need support for digital infrastructure. Over the course of the pandemic, many developed digital methods for artistic production and presentation.  Provincial support can mobilize the arts towards a digital future alongside creative spaces with further investment.

Increase the Ontario Arts Council’s base budget to $95 million annually 

  • Many of the arts organizations and artists we serve are supported by the Ontario Arts Council (OAC). According to the Canadian Artists Representation/Le Front des artistes canadiens (CARFAC Ontario), the OAC would require a $110 million base budget in 2022 in order to remain in line with 1991 investment levels. To support the post-pandemic recovery of the arts sector, further investment in the OAC is needed.

Read the full submission here.


Call for Strategic Planning Consultant

Position: Consultant
Tentative Start Date: September 30, 2021
End Date: January 31, 2022
Location: Ontario
Position Type: Contract $6,500

Deadline to submit proposal: September 17 at 5pm.

Introduction

ArtsBuild Ontario (ABO) is the only organization in Ontario dedicated to realizing long-term solutions for building, managing and financing the sustainable arts facilities needed in Ontario’s diverse communities. We are a non-profit arts service organization that provides organizations with training, tools and resources that support the development and management of creative spaces such as theatres, galleries, concert halls, museums and other creative spaces.

ABO is seeking proposals from qualified consultants and/or consulting firms to assist in the development of a three-year comprehensive strategic plan that will focus on our network’s needs, our services, our values and our vision for the future.

ABO is an organization that is working to embed the values of individual and group differences within its working environment. We strive to embrace the diversity of backgrounds and perspectives of our staff, members, arts community, and partners. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, and people across the spectrums of gender, sexuality, age, and abilities are encouraged to apply.

Scope of Work

The consultant shall complete the following:

  • Design and execute a strategic visioning and comprehensive planning process including consultations and workshops with Board of Directors, Advisory Committee, Staff, Funders and Key Partners
  • Develop recommendations for a three-year actionable strategic plan

Anticipated Process

ABO seeks the consultant’s recommendations regarding the best process for developing the strategic plan, to be conducted in two parts:

Part 1: Vision, Strategic Directions and Research

  1. Consultations: Develop consultation framework and questions/issues for staff, advisory committee, funders and key partners.
  2. Research: Integrate related data, stakeholder strategic plans and any relevant research and best practices that compliments strategic directions and stakeholder consultations.
  3. Synthesize: Consolidate consultation feedback and research. After consultation with Board of Directors, identify strategic directions and goals.

Part 2: Write the Strategic Plan

Utilizing information from the first stage, the consultation will develop recommendations for a strategic plan. This plan will serve as ArtsBuild Ontario’s guide for the next three years.

Consultant Qualifications

To accomplish the scope requested, the consultant will need to possess the following qualifications:

  • Experience at successfully developing consensus-based strategic plans
  • Knowledgeable of collective impact or collaborative strategic initiatives
  • Strong facilitation skills
  • Knowledgeable of non-profit/charitable sector
  • Experience at creating a neutral environment for, and soliciting input from, individuals from various sectors
  • Experience at gathering and utilizing data to inform the strategic planning process
  • Knowledgeable in marketing, communications, and branding
  • Knowledgeable in resource/program development

Work Plan

The proposal should contain a detailed description of the activities to be conducted by the consultant in order to complete the requested scope of work, including:

  • Specific activities to be conducted at each stage
  • Who will be involved at each stage
  • A timeline for the activities at each stage
  • Milestones and deliverables tied to those activities
  • A proposed payment schedule

Criteria for Evaluating Success of the Project

The Board of Directors will deem this a successful project when they are given a clear report which outlines the strategic directions, areas of improvement and a recommended action plan. Previous strategic and other corporate materials will be provided to the consultant as background information upon request.

Previous Work Product

The proposal should include at least two examples of written work similar to the scope of work requested within this RFP.

Proposed Timeline

  • September 24-30, 2021: Interview process
  • September 30, 2021: Contract issued
  • October 11 – November 15, 2021: Phase One (Board retreat, Consultations and Research)
  • November 15 – December 13, 2021: Phase Two (Provide recommendations for Strategic Plan)

Please forward proposal to Alex Glass, Executive Director

Email: alex@artsbuildontario.ca

Subject line: Proposal offer: ABO Strategic Planning Consultant


Moving into Step 3 for Creative Spaces

Yesterday, it was announced that on Friday, July 16, the province will move into Step 3 of Ontario’s Roadmap to Reopening. Waterloo Region is slated to move to Step 2 on Monday, July 12 – however, it is expected to join the rest of the province in Step 3 on July 16.

Step 3 Highlights for Creative Spaces
Face coverings in indoor public settings and physical distancing requirements remain in place throughout Step 3.

Outdoor 
Outdoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 100 people with limited exceptions are permitted.

Indoor
Indoor social gatherings and organized public events with up to 25 people are permitted.

Museums, Galleries and Historic Sites
Museums, galleries, historic sites, aquariums, zoos, landmarks, botanical gardens, science centres, casinos/bingo halls, amusement parks, fairs and rural exhibitions, festivals, can operate with capacity limited to not exceed 50 per cent capacity indoors and 75 per cent capacity outdoors.

Concert Venues, Cinemas and Theatres
Concert venues, cinemas, and theatres permitted to operate at:

  • Up to 50 per cent capacity indoors or a maximum limit of 1,000 people for seated events (whichever is less).
  • Up to 75 per cent capacity outdoors or a maximum limit of 5,000 people for unseated events (whichever is less); and up to 75 per cent capacity outdoors or a maximum of 15,000 people for events with fixed seating (whichever is less).

Photography Studios and Services
Photography studios and services can operate indoors and outdoors with restrictions.

Meeting Spaces
Indoor meeting and event spaces permitted to operate with physical distancing and other restrictions still in effect and capacity limited to not exceed 50 per cent capacity or 1,000 people, (whichever is less).

Construction
All construction is open.

What happens next?
For Ontario to have most restrictions of Step 3 lifted, the province must:

  • Remain in Step 3 for at least 21 days
  • 80% of Ontarians over the age of 12 must have received one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and 75% have received a second.
  • All public health units must have 70% of their eligible population fully vaccinated.
  • Other key public health and health care indicators must remain stable.

At this point, Step 3 precautions would be lifted, and small safety measures would remain in place, such as passive screening and a safety plan for businesses.

Read the Press Release HERE.
Read the full Guidelines for Step 3 HERE.


ArtsBuild Ontario Announces New Interim Executive Director

KITCHENER – May 20, 2020 – The Board of Directors of ArtsBuild Ontario (ABO) is happy to announce the appointment of Diana Moser as the new Interim Executive Director.

Ms. Moser will head the organization’s overall financial, strategic, and operational leadership while the Executive Director, Alex Glass, is on maternity leave. Ms. Moser brings several years of experience with Arts Council Wood Buffalo in Fort McMurray where she held a variety of posts including Programs Manager and Interim Executive Director.

“We’re excited to have Diana on board to guide ABO. As someone with extensive experience with the arts community, facilities, and organizations she is a fantastic fit for ABO’s current need.” – Kristian Clarke, President

Ms. Moser helped establish the Arts Council Wood Buffalo as a trusted arts support organization for the region and combines this experience with her experience at the Oil Sands Discovery Centre, Theatre; Just Because and the Wood Buffalo 2018 Alberta Winter Games.

She has a BA and MA in History from McMaster University and a Master of Museum Studies from the University of Toronto.

Please join us in welcoming Ms. Moser to her new role at ABO.