Apply: Public Art Research Program Fellow

STEPS Public Art is seeking a dynamic and motivated Public Art Research Program Fellow to join our team.

Contract Dates: May 12, 2025 to August 29, 2025
Compensation: $17.50 per hour (30-40 hours per week, TBD at time of offer)
Additional Details: Virtual or hybrid position (ability to work remotely, as well as access to Toronto office for team collaboration)
Application Deadline: Monday, March 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM ET

Artist Credit: Jasmine Swimmer
Photo Credit: Ayesha Khan (Stories at the Table)

Who is STEPS Public Art

STEPS Public Art is a Canadian charity and social enterprise. We offer services in public art management, hoarding exhibits, cultural planning, and artist capacity building. We run charitable programs that support artists and foster vibrant and inclusive communities. Our main office is based in the Ancestral Wendat territory and the shared territory of the Anishinaabeg and the Haudenosaunee, covered by The Dish With One Spoon treaty, and later, Treaty 13 signed with the Mississaugas of the Credit, and the Williams Treaties signed with multiple Mississaugas and Chippewa bands. STEPS is committed to cultivating safe spaces for Indigenous voices to be heard.

We’re committed to providing you with:

• Skill Development: We identify development goals and experiences to advance your professional development
• Training: We frequently host training sessions on topics related to equity, inclusion, accessibility, site safety, first aid, etc.
• Mentorship: An opportunity to match and meet regularly with a staff member 
• Networking: Opportunities to participate in networking activities to forge new professional relationships
• Feedback: Time to provide feedback between you and your supervisor regarding performance and focus areas for development
• References for future employment or other opportunities
• Remuneration for required training fees, travel, etc. 

The Public Art Research Program Fellow Role

Applicants are invited to submit a short research proposal outlining their suggested research focus and methodology. Research developed during the fellowship will be shared through STEPS Public Art’s platforms. Applicants are invited to consult existing STEPS research reports.

This opportunity is funded by Canada Summer Jobs, and candidates who meet the criteria outlined by the funder will be prioritized. Please read the job description and eligibility criteria in full.

Responsibilities

• Conducting comprehensive research on public art, cultural planning, or related best practices, policies, and case studies. Potential research focuses include, but are not limited to:
  • Public art and accessibility (such as case studies of accessible public art, use of art and placemaking to enhance the accessibility of public spaces, etc.) 
  • Economic and social impacts of public art
  • Public art and placemaking as a mechanism to advance Indigenous Reconciliation
  • Candidate-proposed research related to STEPS’ mandate
• Collecting and/or analyzing existing data sets, such as qualitative interviews/surveys, demographics, and community/cultural assets, which may include canvassing in-person and/or virtually with members of the public or other stakeholders as needed
• Preparing a research report or other agreed-upon deliverables summarizing analysis
• Collaborating with the STEPS Communications Team to produce accessible content that may be used on the organization’s communications channels related to research

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or enrollment in Urban Planning, Cultural Studies, Arts Administration or a related program
• Demonstrated experience in cultural planning, community development or public art initiatives
• Strong research skills with the ability to gather, analyze, and interpret data effectively
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and concisely
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace applications
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced environment
• Strong organizational skills with a keen attention to detail
• Passion for community engagement, cultural diversity, and public art as catalysts for positive social change
• Flexibility to adapt to evolving project priorities and deadlines
• Knowledge of Canadian cultural policies, urban development practices, and community-based arts initiatives is an asset
• Experience with data analysis software/tools is an asset

Eligibility

This position is funded through the Canada Summer Jobs program. Preference will be given to candidates who meet the following criteria established by the funder:

• Are no more than 30 years of age during the contract period (born AFTER September 1, 1995)
• Are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment
• Have a valid Social Insurance Number

STEPS encourages applications from all qualified candidates legally able to work in Canada that represent the full diversity of communities, including complexities of intersecting identities such as ability, age, class, gender, race, and sexual orientation. We are particularly interested in receiving applications from equity-deserving communities, including those who identify as: Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), Black, person of colour, newcomer, Disabled, and/or LGBTQQIP2SAA+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, pansexual, two-spirit, asexual, allies, along with additional sexual orientations and gender identities).

Application process

We invite qualified applicants to apply through the Google Form by Monday, March 31, 2025 at 2:00 PM ET.

Candidates who need additional support applying for this position are encouraged to contact Amanda Wand (Operations Manager) at amanda@stepspublicart.org by Monday, March 24, 2025 at 12:00 PM ET to accommodate your needs appropriately and discuss alternate formats for submitting your application.

Thank you for your interest in this position. Due to the high volume of applications, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview via video-conferencing.