Job Posting (YCW)
Program Assistant
Summer Student Position
MacLaren Art Centre, Barrie
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.
About the Job:
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 and Community Art Coordinator, 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 Officer and the Community Art Coordinator, 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.
Position: Program Assistant
Duration: up to 12 weeks
Rate of pay: $19.00/hour
Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Sunday through Thursday
Suggested start and end date: June 2 to August 24, 2025*
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 application is 9 am on Monday, May 5, 2025.
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
MacLaren Art Centre
37 Mulcaster Street, Barrie, ON L4M 3M2
or email to: christina@maclarenart.com
