Announcement: Does Your Theatre Group Need Assistance?, Margie Rutledge

Does your theatre group need assistance with:

• Grant proposal writing
• Dramaturgical research
• Reading and assessing new scripts

I am a published fiction (children’s novels) writer, journalist and former dramaturge seeking to return to Toronto theatre.  I am a crackerjack researcher with a great eye for sparkling (or potentially sparkling) new work.  And, I wish to develop my skills as a grant proposal writer and arts administrator.

I propose to provide any/all of the above services for a modest fee in exchange for hands-on experience with Toronto’s current theatre community.

After a number of years balancing writing and language instruction, I wish to return to my first love: theatre.  Please see my web site: www.gardencommunication.ca for information on what I’ve been doing.

To discuss what I can do for your theatre group, contact me ~ Margie Rutledge ~ at: infor@gardencommunication.ca.

Job Posting: Development Associate-Individual Giving, Young People’s Theatre

Young People’s Theatre (YPT), now in its 46th season, is Canada’s largest theatre for young audiences and currently produces and presents an 8-play season with an audience of up to 80,000+. Housed at a renovated, historical venue in Toronto, YPT works on a 468-seat Mainstage and a 115-seat Studio stage. Its operating budget is approximately $3.5 million. The work culture at YPT encourages ingenuity, team-work, and an atmosphere of learning. YPT’s artistic policy focuses on arts and education – in fact, learning is at the centre of everything we do.

Reporting to the Director of Development, the Development Associate, Individual Giving, will play an integral role within the three-person Development Department, raising $125,000 annually for the Theatre. Over the next three years, YPT will work towards raising $1.5 million annually for the theatre, creating financial stability to embark on a major capital campaign.

1. Community philanthropy. Develop, plan and implement YPT’s Community Philanthropy portfolio which includes, direct response, face-to-face and third party event fundraising.
2. Budgeting and project management. Create and adhere to project budgets and timelines. Track and collect funds raised. Monitor progress and adjust plans as appropriate. Work with the Director of Development to create revenue projections. Conduct post-campaign follow up and action steps.
3. Donor relations/stewardship. Develop, plan and implement a cultivation and stewardship program for individual donors.
4. Committee relations. Manage and support the Family Gala committee as well as the Community Philanthropy committee by developing goals and objectives, facilitating meetings and responding to all queries in a timely manner.
5. Event fundraising management. Plan and implement YPT’s Family Gala, Hullabaloo including executing all major event logistics. Solicit event donations, sponsorships and gifts-in-kind.
6. Research. Perform prospect research to grow YPT’s donor prospect pipeline.
7. Data maintenance/integrity. Maintain both electronic and hard-copy donor files, update database as appropriate and produce tax receipts in a timely manner.

Other responsibilities:

• Production of monthly revenue reports
• Ongoing contribution to the strategic long-term vision of YPT through suggestions for innovation and efficiencies in fundraising programming.
• Continuous critical evaluation of current programs.
• Investigate new fundraising ideas and concepts.
• Contribute to YPT communications materials as needed.
• Other duties as assigned by the Director of Development.

REQUIRED SKILLS:

• Exemplary communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to pay strong attention to detail
• Computer literacy (e.g. database, word-processing, spreadsheet and internet applications)
• A knowledge and passion for the arts as well as fundraising.

Young People’s Theatre is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer and strongly supports and values diversity in the workplace.

Applications from all qualified candidates are welcome and individuals from equity-seeking groups are encouraged to apply.

Interested applicants are asked to send a cover letter with salary expectations and resume by Friday, December 9, 2011 to Richard Lefebvre, Director of Development at rlefebvre@youngpeoplestheatre.ca. We thank all candidates in advance; however we will contact only those selected for an interview

Audition: Songbook Series, Theatre Passe Muraille

The Songbook Series is part of After Hours @ TPM, a new late-night cabaret series to compliment the 2011-12 season at Theatre Passe Muraille. Each evening, we’ll be celebrating the work of a single artist, group, era or style that has had a significant impact on our collective musical history. Then we will invite a variety of musicians from all disciplines to re-imagine that music in their own way. The key here is that re-imagining—to showcase that song in an entirely new way. Our last Songbook Series celebrated the work of Elton John, and it was a great time.

The Songbook Series is led by a group of Core Artists who facilitate and host each evening, but it is our hope that the series celebrates the diversity of musicians and music that is present in our city. In other words, it’s much more than a coffeehouse, but rather a theatrical musical event. Our second Songbook Series will take the stage at 10pm on January 6 and celebrate the music of Madonna.

To audition, please fill out our online form: http://www.passemuraille.on.ca/get-involved/artists/

If you have questions please email Rob Kempson at robk@passemuraille.on.ca

Call for Submissions: Pitch Blitz, Theatre Passe Muraille

Theatre Passe Muraille would like to invite artists of all disciplines and backgrounds to come and make a pitch to Artistic Director Andy McKim. Releasing the bounds of a formal audition, the TPM Pitch Blitz is an opportunity for artists to introduce themselves to Theatre Passe Muraille in whatever way best represents them. The TPM Pitch Blitz gives artists five minutes to showcase themselves or present their project.

Pitch an idea, pitch a show, pitch yourself! We’re on the lookout for exciting new artists to work with and remarkable artistic projects to facilitate. Spend five minutes showcasing who you are, what you’ve done in the past, and what your ideas are for the future. This is an opportunity to talk about what it is that brings you to us, and to show us what you might want to bring to TPM.

At Theatre Passe Muraille, we’re committed to enhancing meaningful interactions between our communities, and extending the development life of projects developed both inside and outside our walls. We have a special interest in independent, emerging, collaborative, intercultural and multidisciplinary artists, and seek out all whose voices are marginalized. Our vision is of a theatre space that functions as an arts centre and a town square in one.

We welcome actors, directors, writers, musicians, technicians, administrators, dancers, producers, visual artists, and anyone who blurs the boundaries between these roles. Anything goes. Think of it like a chance to spark a meaningful relationship with Canada’s oldest theatre for new work. We do this a minimum of three times per season. The next TPM Pitch Blitz is on December 13 and 14, 2011.

To apply, simply fill out our online form: http://www.passemuraille.on.ca/get-involved/artists/

If you have questions please email Rob Kempson at robk@passemuraille.on.ca

Job Posting: OAC CADAC Coordinator, Ontario Arts Council

Term position until July 2013
$23 – 26/hr
Full-time (36.25 hrs/week) January through July
Part-time (10 hrs/week) August through December
Toronto Office

The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) requires a financially savvy individual to work with arts organizations receiving operating funding to ensure that complete and accurate financial and statistical information entered into the CADAC (Canadian Arts Data/Données sur les arts au Canada) system meets OAC’s granting program application and reporting requirements. CADAC is a web-based financial and statistical database used by multiple public arts funders.

Primary Responsibilities Are:

• Establish mechanisms and processes to track and analyze data entered into CADAC in order to follow up with operating organizations to ensure the OAC requirements through CADAC are being met;
• Create and administer written communications to operating organizations;
• Provide training to operating organizations on CADAC requirements and financial management through webinars, instructional videos/podcasts, etc.;
• Liaise with CADAC secretariat on issues requiring resolution, content enhancements, and changes in reports. Is OAC lead on relevant CADAC committees;
• Design and adapt reports from CADAC for use by granting staff, internal committees and other internal stakeholders;
• Facilitate OAC discussion about suggested changes and enhancements to CADAC and summarize and prepare communications to CADAC about such changes.
• Liaise with Research staff on statistical information issues;
• Work with OAC Grants Database Administrator to maintain interface between CADAC and OAC database.

Key Selection Criteria/Qualifications:

• Bilingualism in English and French a requirement. With an advanced level proficiency in verbal French and English, advanced written English and intermediate written French.
• Bachelor degree in finance, accounting or management, or an equivalent combination of education and practical experience;
• Direct experience in financial administration, budgeting procedures, and accounting practices, principles and analysis, preferably in the field of arts administration;
• Experience working with budgets of arts organizations would be an asset;
• Practical experience analyzing financial data;
• Good general knowledge of financial regulations and practices relating to the not-for-profit sector;
• Advanced knowledge of databases, including use of PC applications and Microsoft Office Suite;
• Excellent administrative, organizational, time and priority management skills, backed by the ability to multi-task;
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work with a diverse set of individuals internally and externally and provide excellent customer service;
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and experience presenting information publicly.
• Qualified candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and resume, by December 9, 2011 using one of the following methods:

Mail: Ontario Arts Council, Human Resources Office, FILE #10-11, 151 Bloor Street West, 5th Floor, Toronto, Ontario M5S 1T6

Online: Online Application Form