Public Art Director

Published on 18 March 2024

Position Summary

The role of the Public Art Director (Director) is to provide creative and executive leadership of the commissioning, programming, and community engagement practices of the public art program. Reporting to the President and CEO, the Director provides oversight for all financial and operational functions of the program. Leading a full-time staff and contracted project leads and curators, it is essential that the Director effectively communicates the value of public art to the public, and parties of interest, serving as a respected thought leader in building a vibrant, energetic community. Nurturing good relations throughout the community, and notably with Treaty 7 Nations and Indigenous artists, the Director serves as the primary public face of the program to The City and the wider community.

Roles and Responsibilities

Program Vision and Leadership

• Inspire the CADA team in the development and delivery of the program vision and strategy.

• Assure that the implementation of the public art program responds to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the White Goose Flying Report.

• Advance strategies in collaboration with the CADA leadership team across all operational and programmatic areas.

• Mentor, motivate, and lead the public art team, nurturing their personal and professional development and growth.

• Orchestrate program goals and priorities as per the contractual agreement between CADA and The City and in alignment with CADA’s vision, mission, and values.

• Collaborate with The City’s Public Art team to deliver new artworks that will become part of The City’s public art collection.

• Develop strategic opportunities for integrated public art initiatives through serving as Co-Chair of the Interdepartmental Public Art Team alongside The City’s Public Art Liaison.

• Apply sensitivity to the diverse needs and lived experiences of artists, parties of interest, and the CADA team.

• Negotiate with other relevant parties on project development and realization.

• Support communications and marketing of projects to ensure a strategic approach to disseminating program content.

• Ensure that staff across the programmatic areas generate and contribute content on a timely and regular basis.

• Act as media spokesperson for the public art program as requested.

• Embrace other program vision and leadership responsibilities, as required.

Partnerships and Community Engagement

• Animate the community through an open, transparent, and welcoming public art process that inspires community input and support for public art.

• Develop, establish, and maintain partnerships, as needed, to ensure that projects are realized under the best possible conditions.

• Lead the development of effective partnerships with local, national, and international visual arts communities.

• Cultivate partnerships with Indigenous communities and leadership in the Treaty 7 territory.

• Nurture a positive, symbiotic relationship with City Council and Administration.

• Embrace other partnerships and community engagement responsibilities, as required.

Operational Excellence

• Maintain strong relationship with The City as partners in delivering the program, including regular reporting on key accountabilities and project updates.

• Direct the content and planning of programming decisions, partnerships, co-productions, and commissions.

• Create and manage large, multi-year budgets and work plans for the operations of the Public Art department and all related Capital Projects.

• Develop and update relevant KPIs for the purposes of reporting to various parties of interest including The City, the CADA board, and the community at large.

• Embrace other operational excellence responsibilities, as required.

Traits and Characteristics

The Director has an acumen for building relationships and networks with key people of influence, institutional partners, government officials, and Calgary’s diverse communities. While maintaining a deep sensitivity to the unique needs, interests, and concerns in the public art process, the Director is a visionary, visible, and inspiring leader who is comfortable and keen to work in a deeply collaborative team environment. They can effectively manage multiple, complex tasks on strict budgets and timelines while adapting methodologies with enthusiasm, flexibility, and verve. The Director takes on responsibility for their words and actions, and they have an ability to mediate multiple perspectives with integrity, authenticity, and honesty.

Other key competencies include:

• Leadership and Diplomacy – The dexterity and foresight to anticipate, meet, and exceed a variety of stakeholder and rights holder needs and expectations, inspiring others in effectively handling difficult or sensitive issues which arise in relationships, community and via the media.
• Personal Accountability and Flexibility – The capacity and courage in being answerable for personal actions and readily modifying, responding, and adapting to change with minimal resistance.
• Time and Program/Project Management – The acuity in prioritizing and completing tasks in order to deliver desired outcomes within allotted timeframes related to overall program objectives.
• Decision Making and Conflict Management – The sensitivity in understanding, addressing, and resolving conflict constructively and analyzing all aspects of a situation to make consistently sound and timely decisions.

Qualifications

Executive leadership experience and proven success in a complex public art program with excellent financial acumen is required. Demonstrated success in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility strategies, and for understanding the principles of reconciliation with Indigenous communities, is necessary. Familiarity in leading participatory community engagement practices and processes is needed. Strong expertise and passion for working with artists and in communicating the value of public art to diverse parties of interest and the public is expected. Excellent written and communication skills, in English, are required.

Compensation and Benefits

CADA offers a competitive salary estimated in the range of $120,000 to $140,000 with a contribution to relocation, if needed. CADA further provides an extended health benefits package which includes dental, life insurance, , and health spending account. There is an annual professional development allowance. Staff work in a hybrid environment and are encouraged to be in the office a minimum of two days per week. The position includes 20 days’ vacation in the first year, plus time off during the December holiday season. CADA provides an RRSP matching program of up to 5%.

Applications and Inquiries

To submit a cover letter and resume highlighting relevant and demonstrable accomplishments (electronic submissions preferred), please click here or visit artsconsulting.com/opensearches.

The position announcement is written in English, shared online, and requires applicants to submit applications in English. CADA acknowledges that while this may be a barrier for some potential applicants, English is the most common language in the community, and as the Director is expected to be a strong communicator, this is most equitable approach to the application process. An individual who self-identifies as Deaf/deaf, hard of hearing, has a disability, is living with a mental illness, or is facing language, geographic, or cultural barriers can request assistance by providing name and contact information of an individual who can help. This could be a trusted friend, family member, or a professional service provider. It may be possible to make accommodations depending on the service being requested.

For questions or general inquiries about this opportunity, please contact:

Jeff Erbach, Associate Vice President

1811 4^th Street SW, Suite 523

Calgary, Alberta T2S 1W2

Tel: (888) 234.4236 Ext. 241

Email: CADA@ArtsConsulting.com

 

CADA acknowledges that the land we gather on, Moh’kinsstsis, is the ancestral territory of the Siksikaitsitapi — the Blackfoot people — comprising the Siksika, Kainai and Piikani Nations, as well as Treaty 7 signatories, the Tsuut’ina Nation, and the Îyârhe Nakoda Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations. Today this land is home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Districts 5 and 6 as well as many First Nations and Inuit from across Turtle Island.

CADA acknowledges that there has been art, music, dance, storytelling, and ceremony on this land since time immemorial and it is in the spirit of this land and its people that we do our work.