Indigenous Programs & Community Engagement Lead

Creative Learning & Programs
Full-time, 2-year grant position

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection ranks among Canada’s top public galleries in size and
significance and welcomes on average more than 110,000 visitors annually. The McMichael’s
permanent collection consists of more than 6,500 works by historic and present-day
Canadian artists, including Tom Thomson, the Group of Seven and their contemporaries,
Indigenous artists and artists from the many diasporic communities. The impressive gallery
spaces, across two levels, are surrounded by a network of outdoor trails, outdoor sculpture
garden and 100 acres of conservation land with breathtaking views of the Humber Valley.

We are seeking an Indigenous Programs & Community Engagement Lead to lead and actively
participate in the integration of Indigenous traditional knowledge and cultural perspective within the
McMichael’s educational programs, special events and community projects. This position will lead the
engagement with Indigenous educational organizations and communities, to develop collaborations
and establish enduring programming partnerships, develop and implement Indigenous content
training supporting the delivery of the Creative Learning & Program programming overall, and assist
with cultural sensitivity training across the organization.

The successful candidate will review the existing Creative Learning & Programs’ offerings for the
accuracy of the Indigenous cultural representation and direct any processes of revision. In
collaboration with the Director, Creative Learning & Programs, this position will support the develop a
strategy to further integrate Indigenous traditional knowledge and cultural perspective within the
McMichael’s educational programs, special events and community projects and work closely with the
Manager, Program Development to review and reimagine the McMichael’s current environmental
school programs and other outdoor programming that activates the gallery’s Minokamik Garden.
There will also be a focus on the development and implementation of in-person and virtual
educational and public programming for various Indigenous audiences.

The Indigenous Programs & Community Engagement Lead will strategize and lead the engagement
with Indigenous educational organizations and communities, including First Nations, Metis, and Inuit
groups with the goal to develop enduring programming collaborations and partnerships, as well as
establish and maintain relationships with local Indigenous communities and encourages engagement
with the McMichael’s collections and exhibitions by developing tailored programming activities and
events for Indigenous children, youth and adult audiences.

Knowledge and Education:
• A graduate or undergraduate degree in Indigenous Studies, Indigenous Culture, Indigenous
Environmental Studies, Arts or Museum Studies and a relevant experience within a public gallery
or museum, or equivalent experience in Indigenous teaching and knowledge.

The ideal candidate will posses the following skills:
• As this position is funded by a grant supporting, participants need to identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, Inuit).
• Excellent understanding of Indigenous knowledge systems and cultural practices, as well as
the social and political context of contemporary Indigenous life.
• Familiarity with Indigenous traditional and contemporary art practices, knowledge of Canadian
art history, as well as experience related to Indigenous Environmental Studies, Outdoor
education is an asset.
• Experience in working in collaboration with Indigenous community members. A close
relationship to local Indigenous organizations and communities is an asset.
• Experience in developing and implementing educational programs and community events.
• Leadership skills and experience managing school or community-based initiatives.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to work respectfully and collaboratively in a
dynamic, multi-faceted team environment and work independently.
• Excellent customer service and efficient, both written and oral, communication skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams, PowerPoint,
SharePoint), Google Meet and Zoom.
• Flexibility to work on weekends on occasion, as per programming needs.
• Spoken Indigenous and/or French language is an asset.

Working Conditions:
• On-site and remote work environment
• Involves contact with the public in a fast-paced and constantly evolving environment.
• Involves touring and speaking to large groups while visitors are at the gallery or during
outreach programs.
• May require some travelling to visit Indigenous communities.
• May require some weekend work.

Salary: $50,000.00 – $55,000.00 with flexible work environment, health & dental coverage, OMERS
defined-benefit pension, reciprocal attractions and social activities.

Job description available upon request.

Application process:
Those interested in applying for this opportunity are asked to submit their resume with a cover letter
to [email protected] by November 22, 2024.

The McMichael Canadian Art Collection is committed to fairness and equity in employment, recruitment and selection practices. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, members of sexual minority groups, members of racialized groups, women and any others who may contribute to the further diversification.

Accommodation will be provided in all parts of the hiring process as required under the AODA legislation. Applicants are asked to make their requirements known in advance.

We thank all candidates for their applications; only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

McMichael Canadian Art Collection 10365 Islington Avenue, Kleinburg, ON., L0J 1C0 www.mcmichael.com