— interConnect: Developing collective digital intelligence in the broad visual and media arts sector

• Application deadline: November 20, 2022
• Anticipated start date: December 12, 2022
• Conditions: Part-time lump sum contract
  (estimated at 53 weeks, 14h/week, 30$/hour)
• Type of work: Remote

Us [About IMAA]

The Independent Media Arts Alliance (IMAA) is a member-driven non-profit national organization working to advance and strengthen the media arts community in Canada. Representing over 100 independent film, video, audio, and new media production, distribution, and exhibition organizations in all parts of the country, the IMAA serves over 16,000 independent media artists and cultural workers.

We [The Project]

Project Overview

interConnect is an initiative that aims to strengthen the digital practices of Canada’s visual and media arts sector. The project has two components:

1. Research: Study and document past digital transformation projects. 

2. Co-learning cohorts: Organize communities of practice around digital issues.

The learnings and resources developed during this initiative will be disseminated in a knowledge base.

Context

interConnect comes from feedback among arts organizations that suggests that the Digital Strategy Fund’s (DSF) fundamental goals have yet to be fully met. While much important knowledge is being generated thanks to the Fund, the dissemination & concrete application of its results remain incomplete and unevenly distributed.

Within the fields of visual arts, media arts, digital arts & contemporary craft, the majority of organizations and artists have yet to benefit substantially from this work. A relatively limited number of media and other types of arts organizations across Canada are undergoing digital transformations and enhancing their effectiveness & sustainability in their respective communities. If these successes could be more widely shared, these transformative impacts would be amplified across the Canadian arts sector.

Preliminary Project Timeline

December 2022: Commencement (with vacations from December 21 to January 8)
January to February 2023: Start of research / Selection of cohort subjects
March to April 2023: Selection of cohort participants
May to October 2023: Conduct of the cohortsNovember 2023 to January 2024: End of the project

You [The Communications Specialist]

Mandate

You will be responsible for all project communications. You will promote interConnect to encourage a positive impact on digital practices in the visual and media arts sector.

Reporting to the National Director, you will work closely with the Project Manager to lead the rest of the small team. You will also be called upon to maintain relationships with IMAA’s partners and build new strategic relationships.

Responsibilities

Support: You will actively participate in the development of the project.

• Become the point person for understanding and reaching out to project users. 
• Be involved in the formation and operation of the cohorts.
• Actively participate in the evaluation of the project, measuring its impacts and making recommendations.

External Communications: You will develop and execute an engaging communications plan.

• Be responsible for raising awareness of the project at the national level.
• Oversee the knowledge publishing process and lead knowledge sharing strategies.
• Participate in the management of project-related communities, including the new Media Arts Connection Discord server.

Internal Communications: You will oversee and participate in effective communication practices within the team.

• Ensure communications with cohort participants.
• Participate in the establishment of collaborative work practices.

Requirements

You should:

• Have significant experience as a communications or community engagement manager.
• Be well organized and able to work in a self-directed manner.
• Be creative and autonomous in the production of content (textual and visual) and proactively deploy communications activities
• Be fluent in English and French and have excellent writing skills in one of these two languages
• Have an understanding of the needs and realities of non-profit employers in the arts and culture sector.

Assets

• Experience working within anti-oppression and equity frameworks.
• Knowledge of the use of digital technology in the arts, culture or media.
• Knowledge of the independent visual and media arts sector in Canada

Conditions

• Self-employment 
• Part-time contract, 22000+tax (estimated 53 weeks, 14h/week, 30$/hr)
• Remote work with a flexible schedule. You can live anywhere in Canada.

How To Apply

Please send your CV and a cover letter with the following elements:

• Your interest and qualifications for the role, please mention your experience relevant to the position and your relationship to the independent arts.
• A brief note on your language skills. 

All proposals should be sent to the attention of Benjamin J. Allard at hiring@imaa.ca by November 20, 2022. Applications should be submitted in either English or French with the subject line “Application, Communications Specialist – [your name]”.

• If you have any questions or accessibility needs regarding the submission of an application, please contact (in French or English) Benjamin J. Allard (il/him) at proj@imaa.ca.

Anticipated Selection Schedule

October 31, 2022: Application process opens
November 20, 2022: Deadline for applicants to submit applications
December 5, 2022: Selection of successful candidate / Notification to unsuccessful candidate
December 12, 2023: Anticipated start date