Bilingual VanGo Artist Instructor
MacLaren Art Centre, Barrie
Casual Contract Position
Salary: $25/hour

The MacLaren Art Centre seeks a practicing visual artist to work on behalf of the Gallery delivering in-person and/or virtual programs in English and French to children in schools throughout Simcoe County as part of the “MacLaren VanGo Program”. The main area of responsibility for the Bilingual VanGo Artist Instructor is to work alongside the VanGo Studio Assistant in the effective delivery of VanGo programs to children enrolled in elementary schools. The Bilingual Artist Instructor position will begin in September and continue for the 2026/27 academic year. In this capacity, the Bilingual Artist Instructor functions as an ambassador for the MacLaren Art Centre, as well as this innovative outreach program.

Qualifications

• Practicing visual artist with a BFA, college-level arts diploma, or equivalent experience
• Fluent French speaker able to deliver VanGo programs in French.
• At least one year teaching experience with children, particularly ages 4 to 13 years
• Familiarity with the Ontario Curriculum in the Visual Arts
• Sound understanding of contemporary visual art and artistic practices.
• Punctuality, flexibility, and problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to function as a team player and to work within a fast-paced environment.
• Willingness to travel
• A valid driver’s license and on-going access to a working vehicle
• A current criminal record check and vulnerable sector screening
• Experience working within an Indigenous community is an asset.
• First Aid Certification is an asset.

The deadline for applications is 4 pm on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

This is a casual contract position for the 2026/27 academic year, through to Friday, August 27, 2027. The Bilingual Artist Instructor is expected to be available to work based on VanGo program bookings, as scheduled, and assigned.

The MacLaren Art Centre is an equal opportunity employer serving our diverse communities. We are committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes, and work environment in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We will be happy to work with applicants requesting accommodation at any stage of the hiring process. 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 screening before work can commence.

Please send a cover letter, current resumé and portfolio of five (5) artworks in confidence to: Christina Mancuso, Education Officer, MacLaren Art Centre, 37 Mulcaster St., Barrie, ON L4M 3M2 or email to: christina@maclarenart.com

About the MacLaren Art Centre

The MacLaren Art Centre (MAC) is a free public art gallery located on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabek, 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.

VanGo Artist Studio Assistant
Casual Contract Position
MacLaren Art Centre, Barrie
Salary: $20/hour

The MacLaren Art Centre seeks a practicing visual artist to work on behalf of the Gallery delivering in-person and/or virtual programs to children as part of the “MacLaren VanGo Program” in schools throughout Simcoe County. The main area of responsibility for the VanGo Artist Studio Assistant is to work alongside the VanGo Artist Instructor providing assistance in the effective delivery of VanGo studio programs to children enrolled in elementary schools. The Artist Studio Assistant position will begin in September and continue for the 2026/27 academic year. In this capacity, the Artist Studio Assistant functions as an ambassador for the MacLaren Art Centre, as well as this innovative outreach program.

Qualifications

• Practicing visual artist with a BFA, college-level arts diploma, or equivalent life experience
• Experience teaching, or working with children
• Sound understanding of contemporary visual art and artistic practices
• Punctuality, flexibility, and problem-solving skills
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills
• Ability to function as a team player and to work within a fast-paced environment
• A valid driver’s license and on-going access to a working vehicle
• A current criminal record check and vulnerable sector screen
• First Aid Certification

Assets

• Experience with remote teaching and related technologies
• Working knowledge of another language, particularly French or Indigenous Languages
• Familiarity with the Ontario Curriculum in the Visual Arts

The deadline for applications is 4 pm on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

This is a casual contract position for the 2026/27 academic year, through to Friday, August 27, 2027. The VanGo Artist Studio Assistant is expected to be available to work based on VanGo program bookings, as scheduled and assigned.

The MacLaren Art Centre is an equal opportunity employer serving our diverse communities. We are committed to inclusive, barrier-free recruitment and selection processes, and work environment in accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We will be happy to work with applicants requesting accommodation at any stage of the hiring process. 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 screening before work can commence.

Please send a cover letter, current resumé and portfolio of five (5) artworks in confidence to: Christina Mancuso, Education Officer, MacLaren Art Centre, 37 Mulcaster St., Barrie, ON L4M 3M2 or email to: christina@maclarenart.com

About the MacLaren Art Centre

The MacLaren Art Centre (MAC) is a free public art gallery located on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabek, 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.