Program Officer - Deaf & Disability Arts

Deadline date for submissions: 21 July, 2026

Location: Toronto

Contract type: Regular full-time

Affiliation: Unionized

Vacancy: One

Remuneration: $78,190 - $118,439

The Ontario Arts Council (OAC) is seeking an accomplished mid to senior level arts professional with extensive work experience within the Deaf and / or disability arts communities to apply their arts administration skills and broad arts discipline knowledge towards the development, oversight and administration of a variety of granting programs and services across OAC disciplines and funds, some of which are focused on Deaf and / or disability arts.

Your leadership skills, combined with an innovative and thoughtful approach to supporting an inclusive and accessible arts ecosystem, allow you to be a critical link between artists, organizations and the OAC.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide input into strategies, policies, programs and services that address the opportunities and challenges facing Deaf artists and artists with disabilities
• Responsible for providing granting support, applicant feedback and consultation; communicate program goals, priorities, principles and strategies; provide information and advice on programs and the application process
• Manage, develop and provide administrative oversight of the assigned granting programs, including input on program eligibility criteria and priorities
• Guide the granting process: includes reviewing applications, selecting assessors, facilitating assessment meetings, making presentations and drafting grant recommendations and reports, and communicating results
• Analyze, manage and administer program budgets and program workflow
• Supervise and support associated staff, ensuring program administration is timely and accurate
• Handle, in conjunction with the manager, any issues and concerns
• Develop and maintain relationships with arts communities, organizations, funders and partners
• Engage in consultation around the assigned grant programs and services to determine continued relevance to identified needs
• Conduct outreach and development for the arts communities represented by the assigned granting programs
• Provide support to various programs when fellow Program Officers require assistance due to absences, work on special projects, and high-volume periods
• Work occasional overtime, attend events on evenings and weekends and travel to different regions in Ontario to meet with artists and arts organizations to build awareness of OAC programs, and provide hands-on training on the granting process

Key Qualifications:

• A post-secondary education in the arts or an equivalent combination of professional experience and education related to the responsibilities is required
• A minimum of 5 years' mid-to-senior level arts leadership experience in arts and culture management
• Direct experience working in support of Deaf artists and artists with disabilities
• Demonstrated knowledge of the history, current status, trends and key issues in Deaf and disability arts
• Knowledge and experience working with AODA standards and accessibility best practices
• Practical financial knowledge and direct experience managing project and organization operating budgets
• Experience and knowledge in grant writing and public funding systems
• Successful experience in program delivery or project management, with supervision of project plans and the workflow of staff
• Experience facilitating group decision making processes
• Experience managing stakeholder relationships
• Experience providing leadership in the implementation of arts and access development strategies, programs and initiatives
• Known to work collaboratively with and in support of individuals and groups with diverse identities, lived experiences, and perspectives
• Excellent interpersonal, teambuilding, and consultative skills
• Sound judgement, initiative and flexibility
• Excellent and effective written communication and presentation skills in English; with proficiency in French and American Sign Language as assets
• Solid organizational and administrative practices with problem solving and multi-tasking abilities
• Advanced computer proficiency in Microsoft 365 Office Suite, and familiarity with grants management software solutions an asset
• Willingness and ability to occasionally work overtime and travel within Ontario

OAC is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce. OAC values a diversity of perspectives, ideas and lived experiences as an asset in serving Ontario's communities.

Individuals are invited to submit a cover letter and resume. OAC recognizes that interested individuals may not meet all of the above qualifications and possess other relevant education, and professional and lived experience that would make them the right candidate. Applicants are invited to share this with us in their cover letter.

https://www.arts.on.ca/about-us/careers-at-oac

While we thank all candidates for their interest, only those selected for interview will be contacted.

Please contact Human Resources at [redacted] if you are unable to apply on-line and/or require accommodations during the recruitment process due to a disability.

www.arts.on.ca