We acknowledge that this land is the ancestral territory of the Siksikaitsitapi — the Blackfoot people — comprising the Siksika, Kainai and Piikani Nations, as well as Treaty 7 signatories including the Tsuut’ina Nation and the Îyârhe Nakoda Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney First Nations. This land is also home to the Otipemisiwak Métis Government Calgary Nose Hill and Calgary Elbow Districts as well as many First Nations and Inuit from across Turtle Island.

We acknowledge 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.

Application Assistance

Calgary Arts Development is committed to open, fair and transparent processes. We recognize that the job application process can create barriers to access for many who are interested in applying. Our Applicant Support & Accessibility Policy is available for those who may need support from staff, or financial assistance to access support from someone outside of Calgary Arts Development. You can find more information below or reach out directly by emailing jointheteam@calgaryartsdevelopment.com.

Employment Equity Statement

Calgary Arts Development is an equal opportunity employer and employs people without regard to race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, language, citizenship, creed, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, physical and/or mental abilities.

While remaining alert and sensitive to the issue of fair and equitable treatment for all, Calgary Arts Development has a special concern with the participation and advancement of members of designated groups that have traditionally been disadvantaged in employment: Black, Indigenous, people of colour, immigrants and newcomers, persons with physical or mental disabilities, and members of the 2SLGBTQIAP+ community.

Who Are We?

Calgary Arts Development is our city’s designated arts development authority. We provide grant investments to hundreds of arts organizations, individual artists and groups, and lead the public art program. We value relationships, generosity, reciprocity, plain language and curiosity.

We believe the arts have the power to build our city. Through the arts development strategy Living a Creative Life, our vision is a creative, connected, prosperous Calgary where every resident has the opportunity to live a creative life. We foster a sustainable and resilient arts sector and support arts-led city building.

Strong relationships are central to our work and will be particularly central to this role. We honour artists and believe that art is a critical component that benefits the public good. We welcome new introductions and partnerships with artists and arts organizations as well as with others whose work may be outside the arts who are trying to make our city great through living a creative life.

Our team has been working towards creating shared environments where all people can feel safe, heard and validated. A sensitivity to the lived experiences of diverse, marginalized and equity-seeking people is very important as we continue valuing equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility in all aspects of our work.

The Role

We are recruiting a full-time community investment program specialist to join our team. This position will work across the grant investment program portfolio and collaborate closely with the Community Investment team to design, implement and evaluate granting programs for arts organizations, artist collectives and individual artists.

Key Responsibilities/Accountabilities

Contribute to the design and implementation of grant investment programs in alignment with Calgary Arts Development’s mission, vision, values and strategic framework.
Contribute to program evaluation for grant investment programs, including data analysis and interpretation, gap and opportunity analysis, and pilot programs and experimentation to ensure continuous improvement and support for the arts sector.
Ensure that granting processes are straightforward, transparent and adhere to published program guidelines and timelines.
Provide support to artists and arts organizations applying to grant programs through one-on-one meetings, feedback, direct application support and technical support for the online grant interface and audio/video applications.
Communicate information about grant programs, host information sessions and deliver grant-writing workshops.
Select and train assessment committees in the grant programs and online grant interface, and facilitate the assessment process in a fair and equitable manner according to the published program guidelines and criteria.
Track and manage grant applications through the online grant interface software.
Work with Calgary Arts Development staff to ensure that the values of Truth and Reconciliation and equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility are embedded in the design and implementation of all investment programs.

Who Are You?

You’re not all things to all people, but you’re probably already a few of these things:

You have worked in a decision-making capacity in the non-profit arts sector, either as an artist, staff member or board member.
You are familiar with financial processes, governance models and programming for arts organizations.
You are familiar with processes for artistic creation, production and presentation of artistic work.
You are familiar with processes around grant investment, including project planning and budgets, grant reporting and financial reporting processes.
You are familiar with evaluation processes and practices, and are comfortable with interpreting and analyzing data.
You are enthusiastic about acting as a resource for artists and arts organizations and are curious and diligent in your work.
You are comfortable with public speaking and leading and facilitating group conversations.
You are committed to learning about Truth and Reconciliation and building right relations with Indigenous communities in Treaty 7.
You are committed to growing your awareness of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, and want to ensure that our systems reflect those values.
You have strong administrative and organizational skills.
You have strong written and oral communication skills and have experience giving feedback and support to artists and/or arts organizations.
You adapt quickly to using new technologies.
You are comfortable working in a collaborative and open work environment.
You are a self-starter who is adaptable to working both independently and with a team.
You are passionate about working with people and interested in building relationships.
You are well connected in the arts scene in Calgary.
You are a lifelong learner.

If you see yourself in this opportunity, we would love to have a conversation with you. And if you’re not sure, you can learn more about us by exploring our website at calgaryartsdevelopment.com.

We are also open to talking with individuals before they apply to clarify questions about this posting. Please send those inquiries to jointheteam@calgaryartsdevelopment.com and your request will be directed to the appropriate staff member.

Calgary Arts Development

Open Positions

Community Investment Program Specialist