Program Officer - Indigenous Arts

Salary Range: $82,148.00 To $124,434.00 AnnuallyThe Ontario Arts Council is a publicly funded agency of Ontario’s Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming. Since 1963, OAC has supported professional artists and arts organizations to benefit all Ontarians. Through grants, services, outreach, and partnerships, OAC fosters a vibrant and diverse arts ecosystem. We are committed to equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion, ensuring the arts remain vital to life, the economy, and community across the province.Deadline date for submissions:
November 26, 2026Location:
Toronto or an approved Remote location elsewhere in Ontario. The remote option is intended to support outreach, and relationships with Indigenous arts communities across the province.Contract type:
Regular full-timeVacancy:
OneRemuneration:
$82,148 - $124,434The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) is seeking an accomplished mid to senior level Indigenous arts professional
with extensive work experience within the Indigenous arts communities to apply their arts administration skills and broad arts discipline knowledge. The position will work towards the development, oversight and administration of a variety of granting programs and services across OAC disciplines and funds, both those dedicated to Indigenous artists and arts organizations, as well as those serving the general arts communities.Your leadership skills, combined with an innovative and thoughtful approach to supporting the diverse needs of Ontario’s
Indigenous arts
communities and the wider arts sector enables you to act as a critical link between artists, organizations and the OAC.In accordance with OAC’s hiring mandate for this designated program area and section 24 of the Ontario Human Rights Code, only Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) applicants will be considered. Applicants must self-identify in their application and identify their Indigenous Nation(s)—First Nation, Inuit or Métis—and the community or communities they are from.Key Responsibilities:
Identify needs of Indigenous artists and arts organizations, provide input into related strategies and policies, and support the implementation of programs and services in response to those needsResponsible for applicant granting support, feedback and consultation;
communicate program goals, priorities, principles and strategies;
provide information andadvice on programs and the application process in a safe and respectful mannerManage, develop and provide administrative oversight of the assigned granting programs, including input on program eligibility criteria and prioritiesGuide the granting process, includes reviewing applications, selecting assessors, facilitating assessment meetings, making oral presentations and written grant recommendations and reports, and communicating resultsAnalyze, manage and administer program budgets and program workflowConduct outreach and development for the arts communities represented by the assigned granting programsSupervise and support associated staff, ensuring program administration is timely and accurateHandle, in conjunction with the manager, any issues and concernsDevelop and maintain relationships with arts communities, organizations, funders and partnersEngage in consultation around the assigned grant programs to determine continued relevance to identified needsProvide support as needed when other Program Officers require additional assistanceWork occasional overtime, attend events on evenings and weekends and travel to different regions in Ontario to meet with artists and arts organizations to build awareness of OAC programs, and provide hands‑on training on the granting processKey Qualifications:
Direct working knowledge of the history, current status and trends and key issues in Indigenous arts and experience working in support of Indigenous artists and arts organizationsA minimum of 5 years’ mid-to-senior level arts leadership experience in arts and culture managementProven ability to provide leadership in the implementation of arts development strategies, programs and initiativesA post‑secondary education in the arts or an equivalent combination of professional experience and education related to the responsibilities is requiredExperience and knowledge in grant writing and public funding systemsKnowledge of Indigenous philosophies, ways of working, and policy development working within and in support of diverse Indigenous arts communities in the provinceExperience managing stakeholder relationshipsSuccessful experience in program delivery or project management, with supervision of project plans and the workflow of staffPractical financial knowledge and direct experience managing project and organization operating budgetsExcellent and effective oral and written communication and presentation skills in English;
with proficiency in an Indigenous language, French, or ASL is an assetSolid organizational and administrative practices with problem solving and multi‑tasking abilitiesExcellent interpersonal, teambuilding, and consultative skillsSound judgement, initiative and flexibilityKnown to work collaboratively with and in support of individuals and groups with diverse identities, lived experiences, and perspectivesAdvanced computer proficiency in Microsoft 365 Office Suite, and familiarity with grants management software solutions an assetWillingness and ability to occasionally work overtime and travel within OntarioA valid driver’s license is preferredOAC is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce. OAC values a diversity of perspectives, ideas and lived experiences as an asset in serving Ontario’s communities.OAC recognizes that interested individuals may not meet all of the above qualifications and possess other relevant education, and professional and lived experience that would make them the right candidate. Applicants are invited to share this with us in their cover letter.Individuals are invited to submit a cover letter and resume. Please note that applications that do not include a cover letter and disclosure of Indigeneity will not be considered:While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for interview will be contacted.The O AC does not use artificial intelligence (AI) to screen, assess or select applicants during the hiring process.Please contact us at View email address on ca.hrm.tc if you are unable to apply on‑line and/or require accommodations during the recruitment process due to a disability.
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