Job Posting (YCW)
Program Assistant
Summer Student Position
MacLaren Art Centre, Barrie 

The MacLaren Art Centre is seeking a summer student to assist with various tasks associated with the MacLaren’s education and public programs. Working closely with the Education Officer, Schools & Community Programs and the Education Officer, Gallery Programs & Social Engagement, the Program Assistant will assist in all areas of summer programming at the Gallery—from enhancing public interaction of exhibitions to implementing summer camp activities. 

The Program Assistant will aid in the interpretation of MacLaren exhibitions through the research, development and implementation of educational and public programs inspired by relevant content in summer exhibitions. This position will include the development of interpretive tools for exhibitions, such as hands-on art activities for children and youth and self-guided activities for families. The summer student will assist with leading tours; program needs and responding to visitor inquiries. Working with the Education Officers, the Program Assistant will also provide studio support at MacLaren summer camps throughout July and August. 

All applicants must be registered with Young Canada Works (YCW) and meet all eligibility requirements for that program.  

About the MacLaren Art Centre  

The MacLaren Art Centre is a free public art gallery located on the traditional territory of the Anishinabek, which include the Odawa, Ojibwe, and Pottawatomi Nations, collectively known as the Three Fires Confederacy. With over 4,000 works of contemporary and modern Canadian art in the permanent collection, the Gallery serves an immediate community of approximately 300,000 people across Barrie and Simcoe County. We approach our work with a regional responsibility, responding to issues that matter in our immediate community within the broader context of the provincial and national visual art and cultural framework. We offer a variety of modern and contemporary exhibitions that focus on visual art and visual culture by Canadian artists of regional, provincial, and national significance. Our goal is to provide the community with an exciting and relevant range of art exhibitions, tours, lectures, and art programs that inspire curiosity, creativity, and interest in the visual arts.  

Position: Program Assistant 

Duration: Up to 12 weeks 

Rate of pay: $19.00/hour 

Hours:  37.5 hours per week, Monday through Friday  

Start and end date:   June 1 to August 25, 2026  

Qualifications: 

• Must be a post-secondary student pursuing a degree/diploma in Fine Art Studio, Arts Education or Art History 

• Must maintain a high standard of professionalism. 

• Must be personable, detail oriented and able to work as a team member. 

• Must be able to lift up to 15 kg 

• Must arrange their own travel to and from the MacLaren Art Centre daily.  

• Must have a valid driver’s license and access to a vehicle. 

YCW eligibility requirements: 

• Must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident or have refugee status in Canada. 

Note:  Non-Canadian students holding temporary work visas or awaiting permanent status are not eligible 

• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada. 

• Must be between 16 and 30 years of age at the start of employment. 

• 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 YCW. 

• Has been a full-time student in the semester preceding the YCW job. 

• Intends to return to full-time studies in the semester following the YCW job. 

The deadline for applications is 9:00 am on Monday, May 4, 2026. 

The MacLaren Art Centre is an equal opportunity employer serving our diverse communities. Although we appreciate all applications, only short-listed candidates will be contacted. The successful candidate will be required to supply a current criminal record check and vulnerable sector police screen before work can commence.   

Please send a personalized cover letter and curriculum vitae in confidence to: Christina Mancuso, Education Officer, Schools & Community Programs, MacLaren Art Centre, 37 Mulcaster Street, Barrie, ON L4M 3M2 or email to: christina@maclarenart.com  

Job Title: Visitor Services/Membership Coordinator
Status: Part-time
Supervisors: Operations Director and Artistic Director
Hours: 21 hours per week, Sunday 9:30am to 4:30pm; Plus 2 weekdays, 9 am to 4:30pm including a 30 minute unpaid meal break, and other hours as scheduled based on events and business needs.

Please apply via Indeed.

Summary of Role and Responsibilities

Working with the development team, the Visitor Services/Membership Coordinator is responsible for processing, renewing and growing memberships at all levels: friend, benefactor, patron, corporate, etc.; implementing the annual campaign; and issuing charitable tax receipts for individuals and businesses. The Visitor Services/Membership Coordinator is responsible for up-to-date maintenance of the Gallery’s membership database including input of records, list pulls, creating reports and correspondence. The Visitor Services/Membership Coordinator assists with all aspects of visitor services at the Gallery, specifically receptions, admissions, registration for art classes, camps and other public programs, visitor statistics, leading tours, patrolling galleries, and lending customer service support for the Gallery Shop, Maclaren Art Rental and Sales, and Facility Rentals. Working closely with the Gallery staff, this position draws on excellent customer service skills as well as knowledge of the contemporary visual arts, experience in volunteer management, communications and membership development.

Membership Coordination Responsibilities

• Responsible for up-to-date maintenance of the Gallery’s membership database including input of records, processing charitable donations and gifts, list pulls and creating reports, issue receipts and correspondence
• Establishes the strategy and timeline for membership mailings and email communications including new members, renewals, upgrades, invitations, general communications and annual fund appeals
• Coordinates membership initiatives with all departments and the annual calendar of membership events and programs
• Coordinates membership materials, including thank you letters, renewals, web content, emails, appeals and special marketing materials
• Assist with mailings for special events; promotions; and the annual campaign
• Works closely with Director of Development and Marketing to coordinate, administer and document donor relations and activities
• Coordinates with the Communications Assistant regarding the Gallery’s membership materials for events and any other marketing needs
• Coordinates the Gallery’s efforts to promote and increase membership on site through community outreach and special events
• Works as a development team member on a wide range of fundraising and engagement strategies for members, benefactors, patrons, donors and volunteers
• Assists with the development of related policies (Privacy, Membership, )
• Other duties as assigned

Visitor Services Responsibilities

• Assists with general Gallery reception and visitor services, meets and greets the public at the main entrance reception desk
• Provides general information to the public about the Gallery and the community
• Responds to general public inquiries, answers the telephone and fields calls to appropriate staff members
• Ensures information on Gallery programs and services is available in the lobby; regularly restocks printed materials in the lobby, cafe and galleries
• Relays accurate information about planned Gallery programs and events
• Assists with leading building and exhibition tours
• Assists with visitor surveys and comments
• Assists with gallery supervision, events and programs as needed
• Assists with sales, merchandising, inventory and displays in the Gallery Shop and lends customer service support
• Is knowledgeable about the current exhibitions and artwork on display and the artisans represented in the Gallery Shop
• Researches information on artists in the Gallery Shop and the Art Rentals and Sales program for the public
• Maintains updated information for front desk staff on the exhibitions on view, special events and Maclaren services, and customer service in compliance with AODA
• Recommends updates to visitor information at the Gallery and on the website and in the community; recommends ways to enhance customer service
• Assists with the development of Visitor Services policies and other related policies
• Other duties as assigned

Education/Experience

• Postsecondary degree or diploma
• Diploma in fund development/communications business administration or two years of equivalent experience is an asset
• Proficiency database programs and word processing
• Experience with handling cash and sales

Qualities

• Excellent customer service skills
• Dependable
• Energetic self-starter
• Organized
• Able to multi-task and meet deadlines
• Great attention to detail
• Approachable, good communicator
• Thrives working in an energetic, sometimes chaotic environment