ABOUT COMMUNITY ARTS GUILD

Community Arts Guild makes art to build community.

We are a non-profit arts organization situated in the beautiful and vibrant East Scarborough community. We spark collaborations between professional artists and people of all ages and backgrounds with different levels of artistic skill, experience, and confidence. Through art-making we realize the creative potential of people and places, and form new connections and understanding between people who may not otherwise meet.

THE ROLE
Community Arts Guild (CAG) is seeking a creative, community-oriented, and strategic leader to serve as its Executive Director & Co-Artistic Director.

This is a unique shared leadership position, reporting to the Board of Directors and working closely alongside CAG's Co-Artistic Director, Jesse Wabegijig. Reporting to the Board of Directors the Executive Director & Co-Artistic Director is responsible for the overall strategic, financial, and operational leadership of Community Arts Guild and a shared leadership of the organization's artistic vision and programming working in collaboration with the co-artistic director.

This role balances community-engaged artistic leadership with administrative, fundraising, and operational responsibilities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Organizational Leadership & Administration

• Lead the organization’s strategic direction in collaboration with the Board, staff, and community partners

• Oversee day-to-day operations, ensuring strong communication, collaboration, and alignment across all areas of the organization

• Oversee the development and maintenance of strategic partnerships, including with the City of Toronto, as well as strong relationships with grassroots community and cultural groups

• Oversee recruiting and hiring of key staff and contractors; provide ongoing support, direction, evaluation, and opportunities for learning and professional development

• Ensure compliance with employment standards, health and safety regulations, and nonprofit governance best practices

Artistic Direction & Execution (Shared)

• Co-develop and lead community-engaged artistic programming in collaboration with the Co-Artistic Director and contract artists

• Support and engage with artists and community participants in a way that is responsive, accessible, and equitable

• Nurture relationships with new and returning collaborators, including local residents, artists, schools, and community partners

• Represent the organization publicly at performances, events, and in the wider arts and community-engaged sectors

Fundraising & Financial Management

• Lead fundraising efforts, including grant writing, donor engagement, and sponsorship development

• Develop and manage annual budgets and oversee financial reporting

• Cultivate strong relationships with funders and ensure timely reporting and compliance with funding agreements

Board Relations & Governance (Shared)

• Serve as a liaison with the Board of Directors in collaboration with the Co-Artistic Director

• Provide timely updates and reports on programming, finances, operations, and strategic planning

• Support Board development, including recruitment and onboarding of new members

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Minimum 2 years of experience in a senior management role in the non-profit sector; arts experience preferred

• Experience in community-engaged arts, social practice, or working collaboratively with diverse communities in equitable and inclusive ways

• Excellent interpersonal, supervisory, and leadership abilities

• Strong planning, organizational, and communication skills

• Proficiency in financial management and a track record of successful fundraising

• Ability to build relationships across sectors and engage effectively with a wide range of stakeholders

• Proven capacity to lead and support staff, and manage the human resources components of the organization

• High level of integrity, transparency, accountability, and confidentiality

• A collaborative leadership style grounded in equity and care

• Commitment to accessible, inclusive, and anti-oppressive practices

• Ability to travel to East Scarborough

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with Indigenous artists and artistic practices is a strong asset

• Familiarity with Scarborough’s communities, infrastructure, and networks is a strong asset

• Driving license is an asset

REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

• This is a full time (35 hours/week) permanent position

• Gross Salary Range: $60,000–$65,000 (between $32 hourly - $35.5 hourly) annually, commensurate with experience

• Vacation: Three weeks vacation, plus two weeks of office closure during the winter holidays

• Work Model: Salaried position with a flexible, hybrid work arrangement, weekends and evenings will be necessary at certain times of the year

• Health Benefits: CAG does not currently offer health benefits; however, the Board is open to and encourages future leadership to explore and propose a benefits package for the organization

HOW TO APPLY
Please submit your resume and cover letter as a single PDF document to hr@communityartsguild.ca with the subject line: Your First and Last Name – Executive Director & Co-Artistic Director.

We also welcome video or audio submissions of 3 min maximum in place of a written cover letter. If you would like to include one additional artistic example or creation to help us get to know you better, feel free to include it. Please keep additional submissions to 1 page (written) or 1 minute (video or audio) in length.

We thank all applicants, only those candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. 

Applications are accepted until the position is filled.   

Community Arts Guild is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage diverse applicants to apply from all equity-seeking groups. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request, for candidates selected for interviews. 

HIRING COMMITTEE

Cecilia Garcia, Interim Managing Director, and Jesse Wabegijig, Co-Artistic Director.