Thanks to the BC Arts Council’s Pivot Program, UNIT/PITT is excited to welcome a Program Coordinator to join our team on a 1-year contract, to begin in late April or May 2021. Keep reading for more information!

20 hours/week, $28/hour

1-year contract with the possibility for extension

Start date: late April or May 2021

Organization Description

Founded in 1975, UNIT/PITT Society for Art and Critical Awareness is a charitable non-profit artist-run organization that supports art and critical awareness by offering the tools, space, resources, and mentorship for emerging artists and members of our neighbouring Chinatown and Downtown Eastside communities to engage in experimental creative work that advances a more expansive, inclusive reality for art and cultural production.

UNIT/PITT ceased operating a physical space in 2020 due to the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic, but hopes to reopen a gallery as soon as it’s safe and feasible. UNIT/PITT has offered student, emerging and early-career visual artists and writers opportunities for online exhibition, collaboration, mentorship, and compassionate critique. Over this last year and looking ahead, UNIT/PITT continues to produce virtual, mail art and publishing programs, and support artists and cultural practitioners in developing their critical writing skills through ReIssue.pub

Position Overview

The Program Coordinator works with the Executive Director and Programming Committee to coordinate confirmed 2021-22 programs, including mail art projects (I spy… a disposable camera project, Helen’s Quarantine Cookbook), publishing programs (e-pubs, ReIssue), and open calls for submissions. The Program Coordinator will lead the development of an innovative outreach strategy for a pandemic and post-pandemic cultural landscape, and will liaise with the Communications & Development Assistant on the promotion of UNIT/PITT initiatives. The ideal candidate is organized and collaborative.

Primary Responsibilities — Program Coordinating (65%)

  • Coordinating public programs, which may include gathering information and materials from artists and writers; writing program statements and promotional materials; answering inquiries and media requests; hosting virtual launches
  • Liaising with the Communications and Development Assistant to promote programming through website posts, press releases, newsletters and social media
  • Developing and overseeing open calls for submissions
  • Managing the online sales and shipment of artist books and catalogues
  • Chairing Programming Committee meetings (4-6 meetings/year)

Secondary Responsibilities — Strategy (35%)

  • Leading the development of a programming-based outreach strategy in consideration of how the global pandemic has affected gallery operations and events, assisted by the Executive Director and Board of Directors
  • Researching and incorporating new technology and innovation towards amplifying programs and increasing public engagement
  • Increasing the accessibility of current programming, such as the creation of guidelines for translation, closed captioning and digital literacy, and the coordination of virtual or augmented-reality exhibitions

Working Conditions and Schedule

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this position will be entirely remote until it is safe to return to an office. Collaborations and meetings will happen over Zoom and Slack. UNIT/PITT will contribute to expenses related to working remotely, including the cost of wi-fi and required software, such as Zoom and Adobe Creative Cloud. Working hours will be periods of 4-8 hours on weekdays. The exact working schedule will be mutually agreed upon between the Executive Director and the Program Coordinator, and will include mandatory weekly staff meetings.

Qualifications

  • Experience with communications, event planning, and/or customer service
  • Completion of post-secondary program in a related field and/or 2+ years of relevant work experience in non-profit artist-run organizations or galleries
  • Interest and enthusiasm for artist-run cultures are assets
  • Interest and enthusiasm for new technologies are assets
  • English proficiency; other language fluency is considered an asset
  • Proficient technical writer with experience copywriting, editing and/or proofreading
  • Demonstrated proficiency in a range of software and online tools, including G-suite, Slack, WordPress
  • Proficiency in HTML or other markup languages is an asset
  • Proficiency in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator and Photoshop is an asset
  • Ability to multi-task and manage multiple priorities
  • Detail- and deadline-oriented
  • Professional demeanour

Eligibility

  • Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada
  • Legally entitled to work in Canada
  • Must reside in the Lower Mainland region

To apply

Send a cover letter and CV/resume to hiring@unitpitt.ca by Friday, April 16, 2021. Applicants being considered for this position will be contacted by Friday, April 23.

UNIT/PITT encourages applications from Black, Indigenous and racialized people; women, trans and non-binary people; and people living with disabilities.