The deadline for Virtual Consultations Kitchener has been extended to Wednesday, March 31, 2021! Apply HERE for the Kitchener Sessions!
In addition, ArtsBuild Ontario is happy to announce that registration for all of the upcoming Virtual Consultations for LEARN IT | BUILD IT | MANAGE IT Part 2 is now open! Consultations will cover the topics of Building/Renovating and Managing/Maintaining Creative Spaces and Creative Space Projects, and they will be offered to non-profit, arts, culture, heritage, faith and community organizations in the Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo, Guelph, and Orangeville communities. Each community will offer two days of consultations, and the dates are as follows:
Tuesday, April 13, 2021: Kitchener
Tuesday, April 20, 2021: Kitchener
Tuesday, May 4, 2021: Waterloo
Tuesday, May 11, 2021: Waterloo
Tuesday, May 25, 2021: Orangeville
Tuesday, June 1, 2021: Orangeville
Tuesday, June 8, 2021: Guelph
Tuesday, June 22, 2021: Guelph
Tuesday, June 29, 2021: Cambridge
Tuesday, July 6, 2021: Cambridge
In these sessions, participants in and near each of these areas will have the opportunity to sign up for one-hour timeslots for one of the two days with a creative space or creative space project in mind and consult with either one or both of our consultants, Randy Dalton (The Dalton Company) and Bryn Jones (WalterFedy). They will offer guidance and perspective based on their expertise and pertaining to their session topics.
Here is what an attendee thought of the Virtual Consultative Session Part 1 for Cambridge:
“Great mix of some onscreen sharing and just being in dialogue. I really, REALLY appreciate the one-on-one consultation opportunity and working with both presenters in tandem. I think this enriches the conversation to play off of each other versus having silo conversations.”
1. What motivated you to sign up for the Creative Spaces Mentoring Network?
I first heard about the Creative Spaces Mentoring Network from my friend, Andreja Kovac, who is the Director of Crane Creations Theatre Company. Our project, Heart Comonos, is integrating the arts together with a number of sectors and partners including youth programming, therapeutics, spirituality, social innovation and community development with a neighbouring focus. Ultimately, we see the development of a community cultural hub in Cooksville-Mississauga. Heart Comonos comes from the Latin ‘together as one’. We are creating safe and inclusive spaces for people to connect, learn and collaborate for personal and community wellness. This is especially vital given the added stresses of the present COVID challenges. Andreja felt that this ArtsBuild mentoring would be a great experience for us to move our idea forward to reality and she was so right!
2. Who was your mentor? Were they a part of the same industry/arts discipline as you? If not, were you still able to learn things applicable to your situation from your mentor?
Olinda Casimiro, who is the Executive Director of the Art Gallery of Northumberland in Cobourg, is very knowledgeable and experienced in the sphere of the arts. She also brings a strong background in business and economics as well as understanding the kind of networking that is needed across sectors for a successful project. She has shared many insights and made many recommendations along the way which have been strategic in guiding our project forward.
3. How did your one-to-one meetings take place? What kind of structure did your meetings have?
Olinda and I meet via Zoom on average once or twice each month. Generally, I send Olinda a bit of a summary of what we are focusing on, and we then have conversations which include her helpful insights and experience. Our meetings are informal and very enjoyable, and it really feels like we are friends!
4. How did the knowledge gained from having a mentor, or how did your mentor directly, help you solve a challenge or issue you were having with your creative space project? Briefly explain the issue or challenge and how your mentor was a part of solving it.
A couple of situations quickly come to mind. Early on, we thought we were ready to do a feasibility study and Olinda recommended a possible resource. It turned out that the person she recommended asked us some very strategic questions which actually correctly turned our attention to a different planning focus for our project. This has significantly changed the approach we are taking with our partners and with our engagement with the community.
Olinda has also kept a laser focus on the kinds of municipal and other stakeholder voices and representation that we need to have around the leadership table. Ultimately, we need the participation of citizens, organizations, and institutions each functioning in their most appropriate roles.
5. Over the last year, how much has your knowledge of creative space projects changed and how much of that would you attribute to the mentoring network? Do you have more confidence moving forward in your project?
Without a doubt, this is a valuable learning experience. Collaboration across many sectors is the best path for creating a relevant and sustainable project.
6. Would you recommend this program to someone who was in your position a year ago? If so, why would you?
Absolutely I would recommend this program! Olinda ‘feels’ our project and at the same time brings a level of experience and objectivity that is so helpful.
7. If someone wanted to make the best use of the Creative Space Mentoring Network, what would you recommend to them?
I would suggest keeping your mentor well informed about your thinking, questions, plans, activities, progress, and challenges. It is a gift to have someone coming alongside to offer their wisdom and perspectives.
– Hartmut Steinke, Executive Director of Heart Comonos
Interested in applying to our Creative Spaces Mentoring Network 2021-22 iteration? Learn more about the program here!
Starting today, all of ABO’s webinar recordings go on sale. Get them for $10.00 off for a limited time only! This includes the Creative Spaces Online Training Series and all of the Learn It | Build It | Manage It webinars. Keep reading to learn more about each series.
Creative Spaces Online Training Series
This training series is designed to support arts managers in building the core skills necessary to support capital projects and ongoing operations in creative spaces. Delivered by topic experts working in the sector, each module focuses on a topic area identified as the most integral to capital projects by ABO’s network of 2,500+ arts organizations.
The topic areas are:
Strategic Planning and Partnerships
Financial Management and Capital Projects
Campaigns and Community Engagement
Operational Planning Before, During, and After a Capital Project
Each webinar recording is currently on sale for $30.00 + HST each, or $100 + HST for all four!
Learn It | Build It | Manage It Webinars
In this webinar series, ABO joined with industry experts to prepare professional development on the full cycle of capital project work. From beginning to end. There were two webinars on each of the following topics:
Alternative Financing for Capital Projects
Engaging Community in Capital Projects
Building Creative Spaces
Maintaining Creative Spaces
All sessions include examples of projects within the arts sector, along with any additional content provided by the presenter. Each webinar recording is currently on sale for $30.00 + HST each, or $100 + HST for all four!
The Creative Spaces Mentoring Network provides you with the unique opportunity of one-to-one mentoring with an experienced professional in the arts. In the following post-program interview, hear how 2020-21 mentees Anna Frlan, Secretary and Board Member, & Kathy Bergquist, Co-Founder and President of the Board, of Studio Space Ottawa learned from the program in many different ways.
ArtsBuild Ontario (ABO) seeks a Program & Communications Coordinator to fill a full-time position. The position will commence in mid-April 2021. ArtsBuild Ontario’s office is located in downtown Kitchener, and this position requires that the successful candidate be able to work at the office regularly during the week, although occasional remote work may be negotiable.
Reporting to the Executive Director, duties include actively supporting the Program Manager and the Executive Director in executing ABO program and project deliverables, managing all internal and external communications, and coordinating 44 Gaukel Creative Workspace activities.
Status: Full-time
Salary: $35,000-$38,000 (includes two weeks paid vacation)
Location: Kitchener, ON Application Deadline: March 31, 2021
About ArtsBuild Ontario
Incorporated in 2006, ArtsBuild Ontario is a non-profit arts service organization dedicated to realizing long-term solutions to building, managing and financing the sustainable creative spaces needed in Ontario communities. Together with industry, non-profit, and government partners, ArtsBuild jointly and cost-effectively develops innovative tools, services, and resources to help over 3,000 arts organizations and managers across Ontario construct and operate the spaces they need.
ArtsBuild’s organizational model is one of collaboration and partnership. By forging relationships with leading community, non-profit, and private sector partners, ArtsBuild delivers programs for capital project planning, facilities management, sustainability, and financing.
Key Responsibilities
PROGRAM SUPPORT AND ADMINISTRATION
Assist Program Manager in program activity communications and record-keeping
Support online programming activities such as webinars and Zoom events
Use Eventbrite to manage program activity registration
Organize and maintain online learning tools and resources such as webinars, toolkits, case studies/reports, and resource platforms
Provide user support and maintenance of the Bricks&Mortar database and Vendor Directory
Grow ABO’s network as well as support outreach for programs and projects
44 GAUKEL MANAGEMENT
Be the lead contact for all 44 Gaukel public inquiries, specifically rentals and leasing
Schedule and lead tours and/or onboarding visits for renters and tenants
Coordinate rental bookings including all policies, protocols, and access
Assist Executive Director and City of Kitchener staff with lease negotiations (new and renewals)
Day to day tenant management including , service requests, and troubleshooting
Invoice and payment management for renters and ABO tenants
Assist Executive Director with monthly tenant check-in meetings
Work with City of Kitchener staff to coordinate custodial services, security, internet, printer, and marketing initiatives
Keep rental and tenant records
Regular maintenance of the space, including tidying up common areas and maintaining rental spaces
WEBSITE MANAGEMENT
Update ABO website as needed to best showcase ABO programs, resources, and projects
Update 44 Gaukel website as needed to best showcase spaces for rent and lease, as well as tenants
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Develop and execute annual marketing plans for ABO and 44 Gaukel in coordination with the Executive Director and Program Manager
Use MailChimp to coordinate email outreach campaigns and monthly newsletters and maintain contact lists
Assist in phone outreach for ABO programs and activities
Design communications and promotional materials
Develop and steward promotional partner relationships to extend reach
SOCIAL MEDIA
Execute social media campaigns as per ABO and 44 Gaukel marketing plans
Assess and focus on platforms best suited for ABO and 44 Gaukel programs and activities
Skills Needed
Ability to work independently and within defined timelines
Ability to work efficiently and effectively with quick turn arounds
Well-organized and self-motivated who is attentive to detail
Able to multi-task and work well in a small team environment
Ability to learn on the job and problem-solve
Effective verbal and written communication
Excellent interpersonal skills
Design experience is an asset
Fluency in French and/or other languages is an asset
Qualifications
Provide proof of qualifications through previous experience, relevant post-secondary training, or a combination of both, particularly in:
Experience with administrative software, social media management platforms, and web-based communication programs
Social media in a business/professional environment
Database and information management
Website maintenance, specifically WordPress (experience with using and maintaining CMS Software like Joolma or Drupal an asset)
Customer service
Planning and execution
Arts and culture sector in Ontario
Requirements
Fluent in English
Must be able to work on-site at the 44 Gaukel building in Kitchener, ON (not a remote work position), and have a reliable mode of transportation
Work may include occasional flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, depending on ABO and 44 Gaukel needs
HOW TO APPLY
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.
If you have questions or concerns about accessibility throughout the hiring process, please email: diana@artsbuildontario.ca.
Please email your resume with a cover letter or introductory video outlining why you are the person for this position to Diana Moser at diana@artsbuildontario.ca. No phone calls please.