Call for Submissions: Vital Ideas Grants, The Community Foundation

Vital Ideas grants are awarded to high-impact programs or organizations that are currently in operation and that have a solid track record of success making Toronto a better place to live, work, learn and grow.

What activities do Vital Ideas grants support?
Vital Ideas grants support strategic activities that help make the impact of an already high-impact program or organization more sustainable. The Vital Idea grant is not program funding but is a capacity-building grant to be used to increase the effectiveness of a program or organization and to position it for even greater impact in the future.

These grants enable proven, effective organizations to expand their reach, share their experience and better sustain their impact. The support of these strategic activities is meant to be a one-time investment in building the capacity of not-for-profits.

The Community Foundation provides grants of up to $30,000 over one year (April 1, 2012 – March 31, 2013) for activities such as:

• Replication: Encouraging increased use of the program by other organizations and/or neighbourhoods and setting the groundwork for the expansion required.
• Documentation: Ensuring that the beneficial impact of the program is clearly understood.
• Promotion: Communicating the benefits of the program among those who can use it or help support it to grow.

Who can apply?
The Vital Ideas program is open to any charitable organization registered with Canada Revenue Agency that is located in the City of Toronto whose work directly benefits the quality of life of Toronto residents. For organizations that do not have charitable status, but would still like to be considered for the Vital Ideas grant stream, please see the “Who Can Apply?” document for information on how to establish a partnership with a charitable organization and what elements must be included in a signed agreement.
Who Can Apply? Information Sheet ››

Submission Process, Guidelines & Deadline
Complete applications must be received by 5.00 pm on December 1, 2011.
The Vital Ideas Application Guidelines provide more information on completing your application and how to submit it.
Vital Ideas 2012 Application Guidelines ››
Vital Ideas 2012 Application Form ››

Contact
Nadien V. Godkewitsch, Program Officer
Toronto Community Foundation
33 Bloor Street East, Suite 1603
Toronto ON  M4W 3H1
E: ngodkewitsch@tcf.ca

Job Posting: General Manager, Opera Atelier

Opera Atelier invites applications and referrals for the position of General Manager.

The Organization
Opera Atelier holds a unique place in the North American theatre community, producing opera, ballet and drama from the 17th and 18th centuries. These productions draw upon the aesthetics and ideals of the period, featuring soloists of international acclaim, period ballet, original instruments, elaborate stage decor, exquisite costumes and an imaginative energy that sets Opera Atelier apart.

Opera Atelier is not in the business of “reconstruction”; rather, each production is a new creative effort and takes its own place in history. Opera Atelier strives to create productions that would have been recognized and respected in their own time while providing a thrilling theatrical experience for modern audiences.

Under the direction of founders Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg, Opera Atelier has been acclaimed throughout Canada, in Houston, Cleveland, New York, Stuttgart, Halle, Bremen, London (BBC Proms), Paris, Montreux, Citta di Castello, Singapore, throughout Japan and, most recently, in Seoul, Korea.  Opera Atelier has collaborated with some of early music’s most distinguished artists including Andrew Parrott, Trevor Pinnock, Hervé Niquet, Marc Minkowski, and many others.

Its current budget is approximately $2.8million.  The 2011/12 season includes DON GIOVANNI and ARMIDE (a co-production with Glimmerglass Opera), tours to Columbus, OH and Versailles, collaborations with Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra, and educational/outreach, and training activities.

The Position:
Reporting to the Board of Directors, the General Manager will provide leadership on all administrative matters, including budgeting and fiscal management, contracts, operations, human resources, marketing, and development.

Opera Atelier is a Director and Choreographer-driven performing arts organization: the General Manager’s relationship with the founding Co-Artistic Directors, Marshall Pynkoski and Jeannette Lajeunesse Zingg is of paramount importance.  The artistic directors’ creative vision drives the company and their aesthetic plays a defining role in all aspects of company policy.

The General Manager is charged with achieving the organization’s goals for artistic excellence, financial stability, and community engagement.

Candidate Profile:
We seek a highly motivated individual with a demonstrated track record of seven or more years of relevant management leadership with excellent financial and organizational skills, superb written and oral communications skills, as well as experience in responsible fiscal stewardship.  A strong track record in fund-raising is essential.

The ideal candidate will have the ability to work cooperatively with a volunteer board, the co- artistic directors, and a professional management;  a consultative team player comfortable in an environment that allows the strengths of staff and volunteers to flourish.  A knowledge of opera production and repertoire would be an asset.

Other necessary skills include the successful recruitment and supervision of staff, experience in the development and management of budgets, a knowledge of marketing, artistic operations,  educational programming, and tour management, and a good grasp of strategic problem solving.

The position requires the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with artistic personnel, board members, administrative staff, funders, corporate and individual donors, the opera community, the media, and the audience.  A strong contact network throughout the cultural industry would be useful.

Salary commensurate with experience.

Preference given to qualified Canadian applicants.

How to Apply:
Please send resume and cover letter with salary requirements and a list of references by Wednesday, January 11, 2012 to:

 Margaret Genovese

Senior Partner

Genovese, Vanderhoof & Associates

77 Carlton Street, Suite 1103

Toronto, ON

Canada M5B 2J7

E-mail: gvasearch@gmail.com

www.operaatelier.com, www.genovesevanderhoof.com