Program Assistant - Young Canada Works Building Careers in Heritage

Position Summary 
22-Week Position 

Starts: October 28, 2024

Ends: March 28, 2025

Wage: $18.05/hr for 37.5 hrs/wk 

Application Deadline: Friday, September 20, 2024  

The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (VAC) seeks a friendly, energetic, and organized individual interested in gaining valuable experience in fine arts education and public programs. Working in a creative and vibrant setting, the Program Assistant will help the VAC's education team ensure that newly launched educational and public engagement initiatives are managed most efficiently and sustainably. Duties include researching the development of educational programs for upcoming exhibitions, working with and training volunteers, and delivering and leading educational programs.

Daily administrative tasks also include managing class registrations, planning, and coordinating programs, including workshops, classes, opening receptions and gallery tours. This position also includes working with the Curator and Education Coordinator to develop exhibition-based educational programs, reading materials, and resource packages.

Description of tasks:

  • Coordinating education and public programs, including managing registrations, event coordination, program development, materials management, volunteer management, and delivery of programs 

  • Preparing materials and setting up the gallery for education visits and workshops 

  • Developing exhibition-related tours and assisting in the facilitation of artist workshops 

  • Guiding art bus tours for the 2024/2025 exhibitions

  • Guiding public programs for holidays and special events 

  • Evaluating individual programs upon completion to provide feedback on improvement

Candidate Profile:

  • Post-secondary graduate from studies in Visual Arts, Art History, Arts Education, Arts Management, or a related field is mandatory. 

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, including public speaking and presentation experience 

  • Excellent organization and research skills 

  • Ability to multi-task and work well independently and within a team

  • Experience working within an educational and creative setting 

  • An enthusiastic and energetic communication style 

  • Strong interpersonal skills 

  • Proficiency in the use of Standard Office software as well as communications/document sharing software (such as Gmail, Google Calendar, and Google Drive) 

  • Ability to work all twenty-two (22) weeks (mandatory) 

  • Eligible for Young Canada Works Program for Building Careers in Heritage 

  • Familiarity with the Ontario Curriculum is an asset 

  • Ability to speak French is an asset

The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington is an equal-opportunity employer committed to employment equity and building strength through diversity. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and encourage women, visible minorities, and Indigenous peoples to apply. Acknowledging that we are not a fully accessible building, we make every accommodation possible to ensure that we are inclusive in our hiring process.  

Note: Priority will be given to graduates that have not previously participated in YCW internship programs.

An individual may be eligible for an internship if they:

  • Are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident, or have refugee status in Canada (non-Canadians holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent status are not eligible)

  • Are legally entitled to work in Canada 

  • Are between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment 

  • Are willing to commit to the full duration of the work assignment 

  • Will not have another full-time job (over 30 hours a week) while employed with the program 

  • Are unemployed or underemployed 

  • Are a college or university graduate

  • Are not receiving Employment Insurance (EI) benefits while employed with the program


Applicants are encouraged to apply through the YCW website and by contacting Bronwyn Gauley at education@vac.ca on or before Friday, September 20th, 2024.

About the VAC

The Visual Arts Centre of Clarington (VAC) is a not-for-profit art gallery and arts education centre in Bowmanville, ON. The VAC is dedicated to delivering contemporary art to the Clarington Community, the wider Durham Region, and beyond. It has a 47-year history of community engagement, connecting people of all ages and backgrounds in a creative place for artmaking and learning. The VAC occupies a four-story 1905 Mill, which holds exhibition and studio spaces, including a fully equipped pottery studio, a painting studio, and a rustic loft gallery.

Educational and public engagement programs are offered to kids, youth, and adults, while exhibitions of contemporary art show Canadian regional and national artists' works in various stages of their careers. The VAC is a safe space where ideas are exchanged, questions are asked, and connections are made.

The VAC is an equal-opportunity employer committed to employment equity and building strength through diversity. We encourage applications from qualified candidates from visible and invisible minority group communities, including but not limited to women, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and those living across the sexual orientation and gender identity spectrum. Acknowledging that we are not a fully accessible building with stairwell access to our third floor loft gallery space and basement storage level—we attempt to be as inclusive as possible in our hiring process.