Artistic Director

Open Ears Festival of Music and Sound; Canada; On-site; CAD 20,000; Part time

Job summary

A community arts festival in Kitchener-Waterloo is seeking an Artistic Director to lead innovative programming and community outreach efforts. The role requires experience in event management, budget oversight, and artist collaboration. The ideal candidate will demonstrate strong leadership skills and a commitment to inclusivity in the arts. Compensation for this part-time position is $19,500 annually, with applications due by March 15, 2026.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in artistic leadership and event management.
• Experience organizing and directing artistic events across genres.
• Experience in managing budgets and financial analysis.

Responsibilities

• Lead artistic programming and commission new works for the festival.
• Engage in revenue generation through funding and partnerships.
• Foster community outreach programs and partnerships.

Skills

Artistic leadership experience

Event management

Budget management

Grant writing

Interpersonal communication

Collaborative teamwork

Presentation skills

Relationship management

Job description

Overview

Job Title: Artistic Director, Open Ears Festival

Type: Part-time

Start Date: June 2026

Reports to: Board of Directors

Compensation: $19,500 per year

Application Deadline: March 15, 2026

Location: Kitchener-Waterloo

About Open Ears Festival

Open Ears is a Festival dedicated to fostering creativity and the art of listening. Founded on the idea that all people need art, its mission is to bring innovative, surprising, and delightful music and sound experiences to all people in the Waterloo Region.

The festival strives to create an inclusive musical culture. This means the careful selection of spaces, programming, and partners to provide astounding experiences for people of all cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. These experiences might include concerts, performances, installations, sound walks, and other such presentations.

Values

Art Has Purpose

Art has purpose, and is not merely a frivolous decoration to more “practical” things. Everything we do, we do with gravity.

Artist Experience

OE is proud to treat artists with respect and to pay them fairly. We believe art is foundational to living well, and feel privileged to work with such a diverse array of talented artists.

Inclusivity

Open Ears is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusivity. The festival operates with the values that all people are creative, curious, and benefit from opportunities to create and consume art. The organization strives to connect with and serve a variety of people, including:

• those who might not normally find themselves at a traditional concert hall
• those who might not have financial means to participate
• those who might feel excluded from the musical establishment
• those who might be underrepresented in new music, improvisation and installation

Strategic Goals

• Continue to establish and grow sustainable funding sources via patronage, personal and corporate giving and sponsorship, and grants
• Use digital tools as a way to connect with our next audience
• Continue to program a festival consistent with our identity and governed by our values.

Job Summary

Reporting directly to the Board of Directors, the Artistic Director (AD), Open Ears will lead the organization in the pursuit of artistic and innovative programming for the festival through presenting and commissioning new artistic works from local, national and international artists, and overseeing their development.

The AD will play a strong role in revenue generation and growth through government and foundation funding, corporate partnerships, major gifts, fundraising, planned/legacy giving and earned revenue initiatives, in collaboration with the General Manager, the board of directors and Fundraising committee.

The AD will be engaged in the local community arts scene and actively seek opportunities for new partnerships to develop the festival’s educational and community outreach programs. The AD will also be responsible for fostering and developing artistic partnerships with local, national, and international arts organizations as well as building strong and long-term relationships with both internal and external stakeholders including: board members, artists, audience members, donors, sponsors, volunteers, community members and organizations.

Responsibilities

• Create, establish and achieve operating budgets for all artistic programming.
• Collaborate with the General Manager and Board of Directors to assist in the growth and development of the festival
• Report to the Board of Directors monthly on festival programming, budgeting, content and commissioning, as well as any other education, community and outreach initiatives
• Represent Open Ears at arts and culture events as well as with the media
• Advocate for the Festival and be involved in public relations through presenting or acting as a host to audience, media and participants
• Be available onsite for the festival and other Open Ears events

Qualifications

• A proven track record in artistic leadership and event management. Festival management experience will be a definite asset.
• Demonstrated experience in planning, organizing, and directing artistic events across multiple genres, venues and locations.
• Experience managing budgets, and providing financial updates and analysis
• Experience in writing and applying to grants for not-for-profit organizations
• Outstanding interpersonal communication skills (verbal and written) with the ability to engage with a broad array of communities
• Proven ability to work in a collaborative, team environment, as well as, independently
• Excellent presentation and sales skills
• Current knowledge of external and internal developments in the environment for identifying new opportunities

Characteristics of a successful candidate

• An individual with vision and dedication to creating outstanding programming and engaging audiences
• Creative thinking, problem solving, ability to work under pressure and time constraints
• Exceptional at relationship management and building. Demonstrates the ability to confidently, sensitively and effectively manage relationships with community members, partners, festival attendees, board members, colleagues and artists both locally and internationally
• High-level communication skills, orally and in writing, at all levels
• Energy, persistence and effectiveness in realizing the vision of Open Ears.
• Fosters an environment of inclusion, cooperation and professionalism

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume (PDF Format) by email to [e-mail] by March 15, 2026, and indicate “Artistic Director, Open Ears” in the subject line.

Open Ears is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging (EDIAB). We invite and welcome applications from individuals across all identities and lived experiences—including women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized communities, persons with disabilities, members of 2SLGBTQ+ communities, newcomers, and others who would bring diverse perspectives to our team. We adhere to Ontario’s Employment Standards Act and Human Rights Code, which require transparent, inclusive hiring: we do not specify “Canadian experience,” we disclose salary ranges, and we inform all interviewed candidates of hiring outcomes within 45 days. We encourage all qualified candidates to apply; priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents where legally permissible.