Assistant Coordinator
Lua Shayenne Dance Company
Start Date: May 22, 2018
Salary: $20,280 – Part Time Position

Lua Shayenne Dance Company (LSDC) is a charitable not-for-profit African based dance company whose work delves into the physical investigation of neo-traditional and contemporary African dance forms and mirrors its African-Canadian social and cultural context. LSDC’s work expands the genre’s profile while offering audiences a different dance experience.

LSDC presents dance works that explore current subject matters with the aim to be a source of social good and spiritual progress. Artistic Director, Lua Shayenne, draws on the aesthetics and values of West African dance and culture and creates dance pieces that seek to upset and challenge multiple conventions and stereotypes. LUA SHAYENNE DANCE COMPANY promotes community development as well as cross-cultural exchange and collaboration with national and international artists.

LSDC has been performed venues and festivals including:  Fall for Dance North, Centre Culturel Français Frontenac, Porch View Dances, and Ryerson University’s Parodos Festival, to name a few.

LSDC company dancers receive professional training that advances the Mande dance practice and innovation within this dance form. Mande is a family of various ethnic groups from West Africa. LSDC focuses primarily on dances that originated in the Malinke and Awkar empires (partly today’s Mali, Guinea, Ghana etc.).

Job Description:

The Assistant Coordinator will report directly to the Artistic Director, working closely to complete all aspects of the position. The successful candidate will be a self-starter, producing all materials on behalf of LSDC as well as maintaining company records and files. The Assistant Coordinator provides support to the AD for all company activities. The candidate will work out of Dance Umbrella of Ontario’s (DUO) offices for the duration of the contract, though some off-site work is required. The successful candidate will receive training and mentorship from the staff at Dance Umbrella of Ontario and this will be a key component of the contract.

The Assistant Coordinator will work with the AD to deliver all company programs, performances, outreach and educations activities. This one-year contract can be extended beyond one year for the right candidate. The successful candidate will execute the following;

Responsibilities:

• Assist with writing and submitting grant and foundation applications and final reports
• Manage the contracting process for all artists and vendors
• Assist with the operating budget; tracking expenses and revenues to the projections and provide reports to assist in decision making
• Liaise with Marketing and Communications team to support the execution of their work and execute a distribution plan for marketing collateral.
• Attend board meetings and take minutes.
• Research performance opportunities including; festivals, presenters and touring options
• Work on all aspects of the Company’s Community Outreach programs
• Working with the Artistic Director, liaise with the Technical crew regarding scheduling, logistics and equipment
• Other duties as required

Requirements:

• One to three years administrative or producing experience in the performing arts sector
• A passion for African dance forms and an entrepreneurial spirit
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to deal with a wide range of people in a different of situation
• An ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously, set and balance priorities, manage time wisely, and meet deadlines
• Exceptional verbal and written communication skills; strong editing skills
• Excellent attention to detail
• An understanding of the principles of government funding in the arts
• Computer literacy, particularly in Word and Excel in an Apple environment
• Competency in French is considered an asset

Qualifications:
The ideal candidate is a highly motivated self-starter looking to increase their skills and knowledge as an arts manager, with some experience in the non-profit sector. The candidate should have a Bachelor’s degree in arts administration, or equivalent experience.

• Experienced in project management, including, budgets, government funding and reporting and deadline oriented
• Excellent computer and typing skills and knowledge of software programs including; Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Excel).
• Post-secondary education (college or university).
• Minimum 2 years experience in arts administration.

Personal traits/requirements:

• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to build rapport with vendors, artists, board and technical staff.
• Ability to analyze and solve problems.
• Exceptional organizational skills.
• Discretion when dealing with confidential information.
• Professional maturity and judgment.

How to Apply:
Please submit your resume, cover letter and 3 references to; duo@danceumbrella.net

Please ensure the email subject line reads LSDC Assistant Coordinator

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Those selected will be contacted within one week of the submission deadline. No phone calls, please.

Deadline to submit an application is 5pm on Wednesday, May 9, 2018.