Public Engagement Officer

This is a term position ending April of 2028

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity aims to inspire everyone who attends our campus – artists, leaders, and thinkers – to unleash their creative potential.

We acknowledge, with deep respect and gratitude, our home on the side of Sacred Buffalo Guardian Mountain. In the spirit of respect and truth, we honour and acknowledge the Banff area, known as “Minhrpa” (translated in Stoney Nakoda as “the waterfalls”) and the Treaty 7 territory and oral practices of the Îyârhe Nakoda (Stoney Nakoda) – comprised of the Bearspaw, Chiniki, and Goodstoney Nations – as well as the Tsuut’ina First Nation and the Blackfoot Confederacy comprised of the Siksika, Piikani, Kainai. We acknowledge that this territory is home to the Shuswap Nations, Ktunaxa Nations, and Metis Nation of Alberta, Rockyview District 4. We acknowledge all Nations who live, work, and play, help us steward this land, and honour and celebrate this place.

The Opportunity

The Public Engagement Officer applies knowledge and experience of the artistic and learning practices including visual arts, community arts education and a broad awareness of other creative practices and cultures to conceive and develop learning opportunities and public programs, which engage broad audiences. The Officer will address audiences of both specialist and non-specialist interests and knowledge, with attention to adults; families; youth; and schools from or visiting the Bow Valley, as well as online.

Education and public program events will vary in format ranging from talks; tours; workshops; seminars and gallery activities. They will be varied in medium, and may consist of both on campus and off-site work.

Roles and Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director, Walter Phillips Gallery and Collections and works closely with the Manager, Exhibitions and Collections.

• Develops strategies for programs and events that focus on audience development, community outreach, partnership opportunities, interpretive strategies, and the need to enhance overall visitor engagement with Walter Phillips Gallery and Banff Centre
• Develops content, project-manages, and delivers educational and public programs including, but not limited to: family day events, talks, seminars, screenings, workshops, exhibition and permanent collection tours, school programs and other related events.
• Researches, invites and collaborates with a range of contracted artists, performers and educators to ensure innovative Walter Phillips Gallery outreach experiences, as well as accessible and pertinent education and public programs that feed into community partnerships, school curriculums, as well as public education events.
• Undertakes research on future programming possibilities including implementation of a Banff Centre Youth Council.
• Develops and oversees program schedules and coordinates production requirements with relevant team members including: space bookings, technical equipment, sourcing materials from external vendors, and troubleshoots production scenarios during and after the delivery of programs.
• Conceives and writes concise program material for internal and external distribution, with an editorial overview from Director, Walter Phillips Gallery and Collections. Works closely with Manager, Exhibitions and Collections on providing marketing content for execution of marketing strategies. Measures and assesses levels of visitor engagement; supporting Walter Phillips Gallery reporting quarterly on milestones, statistics and impacts of programs in the local and wider communities.
• Tracks established budgets through Walter Phillips Gallery, and ensure programs and projects adhere to budget. Takes responsibility for processing contracts and processing payments to external vendors for materials and services, working with the Manager, Exhibitions and Collections and Coordinator, Exhibitions and Collections as applicable.
• Maintains a network of key contacts for audience outreach within the immediate community Specifically targeting audience groups from the arts and culture sector, heritage community, students, stakeholders, partners and sponsors.

Qualifications and Educational Requirements

• A university degree in art history, curatorial studies, fine arts, media arts, education, and/or museum studies with a knowledge of
• One to two years prior experience is required for this position
• Excellent planning, organizational as well as oral and written communication skills
• Capable of working on multiple projects to completion.
• Ability to produce work to a high standard under pressure.
• Work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong prioritizing ability.
• Work diplomatically with a wide variety of people including Banff Centre staff and the public.
• Excellent attention to detail and be proactive in their role.
• Strong public speaking skills

Employment Terms and Benefits

• In accordance with CUPE 4318, this is a unionized, salaried support staff position, subject to a 6-month probation period, working 37.5 hours per week.

• The salary for this position is between $45,415.50 -$55,945.50 annually, depending on experience.

• This is a term position ending April of 2028

• Benefits of working at Banff Centre are:

  • Transitional staff housing options (Based on availability)
  • Alberta Blue Cross health benefits
  • Defined benefit pension plan
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Staff cafeteria and restaurant discounts (at Maclab Bistro and Vistas)
  • Onsite fitness facility at a discounted rate – first month free for new members! (includes pool, climbing wall and gym.)
  • Professional development

Application Process

• We are accepting applications for the Public Engagement Officer until a suitable candidate has been found.
• Candidates offered a position with Banff Centre, in this capacity, will be required to obtain a criminal record check verifying a clear record before a final job offer can be finalized.
• Visa Requirements: Candidates must be legally eligible to work in Canada. Banff Centre is unable to assist candidates in obtaining Canadian work authorization.

Commitment to Diversity

Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity is committed to creating an equitable, diverse, and inclusive campus for students, faculty, staff and visitors. Guided by our values, Banff Centre is rooted in Alberta with provincial, national and global impact. Our strength arises from inclusion; the diversity of people, ideas, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds in our work and team. We encourage women; First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons; members of visible minority groups; persons with disabilities; persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression to apply.

Privacy Statement

Banff Centre is a public body pursuant to the Protection of Privacy Act (Alberta) (“POPA”) and the Access to Information Act (“ATIA”). All of your personal information collected by Banff Centre, including personal information collected through third-party contractors or platforms, in relation to the creation of your candidate profile and submission of a job application, is collected pursuant to section 4(c) of POPA for the purpose of administering your candidate profile, evaluating your eligibility for a position(s) at Banff Centre, and communicating with you about your application. Your personal information may be disclosed, as required, pursuant to ATIA or other applicable law, to satisfy reporting requirements, or for statistical, funding, planning or research purposes.

If you have any questions about the collection, use or protection of this information, please contact the Privacy Coordinator at privacy@banffcentre.ca, 107 Tunnel Mountain Drive, Box 1200, Banff Alberta, T1L 1H5, 403.762.6100.