Community Arts Programmer

Requisition ID: 45547 

Organization

Vancouver is consistently ranked as one of the world’s most liveable and environmentally sustainable cities. Recognized among BC’s Top Employers and Canada’s Greenest Employers, the City of Vancouver is seeking colleagues who can help advance our core commitments to exceptional public service, sustainability, equity, and an outstanding quality of life for all residents.

With a strong commitment to being a City of Reconciliation, we invite you to join our dedicated team and become part of an innovative, inclusive, and engaging workplace. A career with the City of Vancouver and within the broader public service, offers meaningful work where you play a key role in ensuring equitable access to services, upholding ethical governance, and supporting the needs of citizens with integrity and dedication.

Main Purpose and Function

This is a specialized position within the Arts, Reconciliation and Culture (ARC) that supports and implements the city-wide goals of the Park Board Arts Policy and VanPlay Master Plan, the Reconciliation Mission, Vision and Values, Reconciliation Strategy, the City of Vancouver UNDRIP strategy and the Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre mission and mandate in the development of initiatives that expand community-engaged arts and cultural practice in Vancouver.

This position is involved in program innovation, leadership and development; project initiation and facilitation; and performs supervisory and community-engaged arts programming and project work that includes artists in residence and cultural practice projects, special events, symposia, exhibitions, artists and staff training, and program administration responsible to the reporting requirements of Vancouver Park Board

Specific Duties/Responsibilities

• Coordinate and support community-engaged arts, social proactive and Indigenous cultural practice projects, events and partnerships with a focus on The Roundhouse and diverse community centres and parks as required, including collegial work with ACE programmers and ARC team
• Supervise and facilitate both Roundhouse-based and city-wide community-engaged arts and culture projects, partnerships and programs which may take the form of artist in residence projects, small and large-scale special events, conferences, professional and non-professional community arts projects, exhibitions and workshops. The work includes identifying needs, setting priorities, developing plans, coordinating projects, overseeing implementation, evaluation, assessment and reporting.
• Works cooperatively with CC staff and associations, professional artists, Indigenous cultural practitioners, Indigenous and non-indigenous arts and culture organizations and the public to understand community needs and interests regarding community-engaged arts and facilitate arts projects
• Work to support Indigenous cultural visibility and Indigenous cultural projects in community centres and parks, working with local Indigenous cultural practitioners and organizations
• Conducts outreach and develops and maintains effective partnerships with community groups, arts organizations, post-secondary institutions, libraries, artists and cultural practitioners in a broad array of disciplines, and cultural organizations towards the delivery of community-engaged arts programming
• Responsible for the selection of artists, contractual relationships, arts production and installation processes
• Works to reduce barriers with a decolonized lens for marginalized and underserved community groups by navigating City policies and corporate processes in a culturally safe way to facilitate and implement programming and public use of city land, parks and facilities.
• Maintain understanding and competency of trauma-informed, JEDI, and decolonial principles and best practices for working with marginalized communities. Attend workshops, trainings, and professional development sessions to be able to create welcoming and safe spaces for all communities.
• Oversees publicity materials and supports audience development for projects
• Administrative duties including: developing and managing annual program and project budgets, creating and amending project guidelines and procedures, writing grants, maintaining operating and administrative records, initiating requisition for arts and other program materials and assisting with the collection and accounting for admissions and fees
• Identifies and resolves safety and risk management issues related to ACE programs and projects
• Responsible for purchasing, contracting and evaluation in association with ACE projects

• Assists in the development and archiving of documentation materials related to ACE projects
• Other duties/responsibilities as assigned

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Education and Experience:

• University graduation in Fine Arts or a related discipline and some related experience, or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Experience with community-engaged, diverse community, inter-cultural and intergenerational arts projects and programming special events
• Indigenous Cultural Safety and Indigenous and Urban Indigenous Peoples Cultural Competency Training preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Experience with community-engaged arts/social practice projects, programs and special events
• Experience with community-engaged arts/social practice projects, programs and special events in consultation with community arts and cultural groups
• Considerable knowledge of the Vancouver professional arts community including the current and emerging trends in community-engaged arts, social practice, Indigenous cultural practice and environmental art
• Knowledge of provincial and national legal standards and requirements in the arts (copyrights, fees etc)
• Ability to organize and direct others in a variety of community-engaged arts projects
• Ability to provide supervision and guidance to support staff, artists and volunteers
• Excellent written and verbal communication, presentation and interpersonal skills
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Ability to deal tactfully with the public in a diverse community and to work collaboratively with a multi-agency organization.
• Good computer skills with working knowledge of Microsoft Office, Excel and PowerPoint preferred.
• Valid BC Driver’s License preferred
• Police Information Check

Business Unit/Department: Board of Parks & Recreation (1400)  

Affiliation: Arts, Reconciliation & Culture  

Employment Type: Regular Full Time 

Position Start Date: September, 2026  

Salary Information: Pay Grade GR-020: $38.08 to $44.82 per hour

Application Close: July 24, 2026

At the City of Vancouver, we are committed to recruiting a diverse workforce that represents the community we so proudly serve. Indigenous peoples, people of colour, 2SLGBTQ+ persons including all genders and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.  Accommodations will be provided upon request during the selection process. Learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

The City of Vancouver acknowledges that it is situated on the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh Úxwumixw (Squamish Nation), and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation).More about unceded traditional territories

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In addition to uploading your cover letter and resume, part of the application process may include answering application questions related to the preferred requirements of the role which may take approx. 5-10 minutes. Cover letters should express interest and highlight additional information relevant to the position and resumes should include a summary of skills and experience related to the position.