CALL: Executive Director

Position: JOB CALL: Executive Director
This position offers a dynamic emerging leader the opportunity to have a broad impact on Nova Scotia’s cultural sector with the support of a comprehensive mentorship, diverse board, dedicated staff, and secure operating funding.”
STATEMENT OF INTENTION
VANS is committed to employment equity, and we will prioritize applications from those who self-identify in their application as Indigenous Peoples, Black, Persons of the Global Majority, racialized, 2

SLGBTQIA+, newcomers to Canada and / or Persons with Disabilities. Working with P4G and Shaping Change Leadership Consulting, VANS will provide the successful candidate with four weeks of leadership training and onboarding to encourage and support emerging equity-deserving leaders in the cultural sector.
If you are a member of a group that has been historically excluded from opportunities, we encourage you to self-identify in your cover letter or resume and share your pronouns. We are committed to accommodating those with disabilities at any stage of the hiring process.
ABOUT VISUAL ARTS NOVA SCOTIA
Visual Arts Nova Scotia (VANS) is a registered charity founded by artists for artists in 1976 to support, promote, and advocate for the visual arts sector in Nova Scotia. We believe in a future where a career as an artist is accessible, sustainable, and recognized as an integral part of our communities.
VANS supports artists through education, connection, and advocacy. We operate across Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the L’nu, also known as Nova Scotia. We prioritize artist-to-artist learning through workshops, mentorship, and sharing information about meaningful opportunities.
VANS advocates for artists by listening to their concerns, speaking up for their needs, and creating platforms to share their work. Recognizing that equity-deserving artists face additional barriers to a career in the arts, we work to make resources accessible to artists across the province, while prioritizing support for those who are impacted by systemic oppression.
We have a very small staff of one part-time Executive Director, one full-time Programming Coordinator, one part-time PAINTS Coordinator as well as contract staff, including a part-time Social Media Coordinator, Publisher, and Magazine Editor. We’re a hardworking, pragmatic, supportive team who are all deeply invested in the success of artists. VANS’ staff and Board regularly participate in anti-oppression training and our core values include equity, sustainability, and connection.

We value thoughtfulness, flexibility, and a sense of humour and regularly check in with one another.
THIS MOMENT, THIS POSITION
Visual Arts Nova Scotia prioritizes equity, sustainability, and connection through continuous updates to our governance, outreach, and program delivery. We are looking for an Executive Director who is enthusiastic, compassionate, collaborative and open-minded to help us reach our values-based strategic goals.
This highly motivated, friendly and well-organized leader holds a deep commitment to the arts community and demonstrates excellent leadership, fundraising, project management, interpersonal and resource management skills, and is comfortable working both independently and collaboratively.
The Executive Director oversees all aspects of the organization’s operations and finances, including fund development, evaluation, communications, partnerships, strategic planning, and programming of year-round activities, under the guidance of the Board of Directors. Duties include grant writing and reporting; fundraising; program development and implementation; management of financial records and budgets; hiring and management of staff and volunteers; regular reporting to the Board of Directors;

and general administration. Detailed organizational objectives can be found in our strategic plan here.
POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES
Administration
Provides administrative support to the Board of Directors and staff as needed;
Coordinates volunteer engagement and partnership contributions;
Regularly reports to the Board of Directors and supervises all staff.
Office
Performs general office management tasks;
Answers inquiries…