Assistant Coordinator – Cultural Development & Public Art

City of Thunder Bay; Northwestern Ontario; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Matching pension plan

EFAP and wellness initiatives

Leadership development & training

Job summary

The City of Thunder Bay is seeking an Assistant Coordinator for Cultural Development & Public Art to support cultural initiatives, public art projects, and community engagement across Thunder Bay.

You will work with artists, cultural organizations, heritage groups, and City staff to animate public spaces and connect residents with cultural opportunities, contributing to Thunder Bay’s vibrant cultural landscape.

Qualifications

• Post‑secondary education in related field.
• Knowledge of various artistic styles, methods and mediums, heritage and cultural sectors.
• Experience working with community, artists, and works of art.
• Administrative duties, children’s programs and/or community recreation or arts activities and/or volunteering.

Responsibilities

• Assist with delivery of cultural development initiatives and public art projects.
• Support community engagement activities and events.
• Maintain web pages, social media and Culture Portal.
• Develop promotional materials and presentations for publications.
• Coordinate equipment, supplies, and set-ups for events and displays.
• Attend meetings with community arts and heritage groups as required.

Skills

Analytical skills

Research skills

Project management

Communication

Education

Post-secondary education in arts/ cultural planning

Job description

Support Public Art and Culture. Celebrate Creativity. Strengthen Community Identity.

At the City of Thunder Bay, Our City Runs on People Like You. Together, we are building a workplace where everyone belongs, where your passion for arts, culture, and community engagement helps create meaningful connections and celebrate the stories, creativity, and diversity that make our city unique.

As an Assistant Coordinator – Cultural Development & Public Art, you’ll contribute to projects and initiatives that bring culture to life across Thunder Bay. From supporting public art projects and cultural planning initiatives to assisting with events, community engagement activities, and communications, you’ll play an important role in fostering cultural experiences that help strengthen community identity and enrich public spaces.

Thunder Bay offers more than a fulfilling career. With its natural beauty, affordability, and strong sense of community, it’s a city where you can grow personally and professionally.

Where Art, Culture, and Community Come Together.

As the Assistant Coordinator – Cultural Development & Public Art, you’ll support a diverse portfolio of cultural initiatives that celebrate creativity, heritage, and community engagement. Working alongside artists, cultural organizations, heritage groups, community members, and City staff, you’ll contribute to projects that help animate public spaces, support local arts and culture, and connect residents with opportunities to participate in community life.

This role offers unique hands‑on experience in cultural development, public art administration, community engagement, event support, communications, research, and collection management. Whether you’re assisting with a public art project, supporting a community event, or helping advance the Inspire Thunder Bay Culture Plan, your work will contribute to initiatives that enhance the city’s cultural landscape and sense of place.

How You’ll Support Public Art and Culture

In this role, you will assist with the delivery of cultural development initiatives, public art projects, and community engagement activities that support Recreation & Culture programs and services. You will also have the following accountabilities:

• Participate in administration of public art competitions and projects.
• Complete data entry and updates within the Public Art and Cultural Mapping databases.
• Participate in inventory, cataloging, organization and display of the Public Art Collection, including collecting GPS positioning and condition assessment data on Public Art works throughout the city of Thunder Bay.
• Conduct research, policy, and statistical analysis on the cultural sector in Thunder Bay.
• Assist with development and implementation of the Culture Plan.
• Maintain and update Section web pages, social media and Culture Portal.
• Develop promotional materials and content such as media releases, posters and brochures, reports and presentations, and content for online and print publications.
• Participate in equipment and supply gathering, set‑up and take down for events and displays.
• Coordinate set‑up and support of community group and artisan areas at events.
• Attend meetings with community arts and heritage groups and advisory committees as required.

What You Can Count On With Us

We’re proud to offer a workplace where your well‑being, growth, and sense of purpose come first. As the Assistant Coordinator – Cultural Development & Public Art, you’ll enjoy:

• A competitive salary that reflects your expertise
• An optional matching pension plan to help you build long‑term financial security
• Access to a confidential Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP) and wellness initiatives to support your overall health
• Leadership development and training development programs, so you can continue to grow your skills and career
• A culture of recognition and appreciation, with staff events and programs that celebrate your contributions
• Exposure to cultural development, research, communications, collection management, community engagement, and event coordination
• Meaningful opportunities to contribute to projects that enhance public spaces and celebrate Thunder Bay’s culture and heritage

What You’ll Bring to the Team

Here’s what will help you succeed as the Assistant Coordinator – Cultural Development & Public Art:

• Post‑secondary education in a program related to visual arts, art history, museum studies, conservation, or cultural planning
• Demonstrated knowledge of various artistic styles, methods and mediums, heritage and cultural sectors
• Experience working with community, artists, and works of art
• Demonstrated experience in administrative duties, children’s programs and/or community recreation or arts activities and/or volunteering
• Ability to think creatively and work well independently and within a team environment
• Excellent analytical, research, problem‑solving, decision‑making and project management skills

Belonging, Inclusion, and Your Privacy

The City of Thunder Bay is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minority groups, women, and members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We are committed to a recruitment process and work environment that is inclusive and barrier‑free.

If you need an accommodation during any part of the recruitment process, let us know — we will work with you to meet your needs.

For privacy and fairness, please do not include photos, ID cards, driver’s licences, or police record checks with your application. These documents will only be requested if you’re successful.