Arts Coordinator and Cultural Interpreter

**Reports to**: Senior Director, Social Development, Youth, Art, Sport, and Education

**Closing Date**: Open until filled

**Summary**

The Indigenous Cultural Business Event Centre located in Gatineau Quebec is a thriving and vibrant component of the Native Women’s Association of Canada’s collective goal to enhance, promote and foster the social, economic, cultural, and political well-being of Indigenous women within their respective communities and Canada societies.

Ceremony is central to our traditional teachings and overall well-being. It is common and comforting to smell the scent of sage within the Centre. Staff, visitors, guests, and the public may wish to smudge and are welcome to do so.

**Scope**

The Art Coordinator and Cultural Interpreter under the direction of the Senior Director, Social Development, Youth, Art, Sport, and Education will be responsible for maintaining the NWAC artwork collection and for providing cultural interpretive services including guided tours throughout the building.

**Responsibilities**
- Assist with the development and maintenance of the NWAC Artwork Collections and online art gallery.
- Assist with the development, maintenance, and delivery of a cultural interpretive program that educates and creates awareness about the Centre, Indigenous people, Indigenous culture, and traditions, and about the contributions and significance of Indigenous women, girls, and gender diverse peoples to community and society.
- Present the cultural interpretive program, workshops, and activities at scheduled events and during planned openings to the public.
- Establish guided tour routes with scripts for the Centre that includes multiple scenarios to ensure the greatest access and impact for each scheduled tour group.
- Lead guided tours of the Indigenous Cultural Business Event Centre, while providing cultural interpretive services and highlighting the artworks and artists.
- Facilitate and train tour guides on the tour routes and scripts to ensure the highest quality tour for events and large groups.
- Work closely with Elders, traditional knowledge keepers, ceremony holders, Indigenous language experts, and others to enhance the cultural interpretive program and tour experience.
- Work closely with NWAC management, events and internal teams to curate unique Indigenous experiences and tours for projects, programs, events, conferences, and groups.
- Liaise with partners, the public, and private sector to support the arts and cultural interpreter programs.
- Draft proposals and conduct secondary research as required to support new project development and initiatives.
- Supervision of staff and volunteers as may be required.
- Travel as may be required;
- Maintain a professional attitude and behavior when dealing with clients and guests in an efficient and empathic manner;
- Follow established protocols for staff and clients and guests; and,
- Perform other duties as may be assigned.

**Education and Experience**
- Post-Secondary Degree in the Indigenous studies, social sciences, the arts, education or other related fields.
- 5+ years’ experience working in not-for-profits, Indigenous organizations, or similar type of organization is preferred.
- 5+ years’ experience directly with Indigenous culture, traditions, ceremony, and teachings is preferred.
- Fluency in English is essential. Bilingualism is a strong asset. Indigenous language(s) is a strong asset.

**Knowledge, Skills & Abilities**

The employee must demonstrate the following skills:

- Proven success in the development of effective, results-oriented cultural interpretive programs.
- Proven success in the arts field, familiarity with galleries and online presentations.
- Some knowledge of NWAC and of the needs and aspirations of Indigenous women and sound knowledge of their values, culture and traditions;
- Demonstrated effective critical / solution / analytical thinking skills, strong organizational skills, and superior written and verbal communication skills including presentation skills;
- Ability to work independently & expeditiously, including working under tight timeframes & with competing priorities;
- Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain effective networks and relationships and work as an integral member of the team;
- Demonstrated sound judgement, tact, initiative, flexibility and problem-solving ability;
- Demonstrated excellent level of computer literacy;
- Full comprehension, knowledge and experience with all computer software including Microsoft suite of tools and internet techniques;
**WORKING CONDITIONS**

NWAC strives to be an employer that properly resources and supports all employees. To that end NWAC, endeavors to provide a clean, safe and secure workplace with various support mechanisms and operational flexibility. The following list describes assumptions about working conditions:

- There may be some travel throughout Canada;
- Lifting, carrying and managing equipmen