We’re Hiring: Artistic Director

Application Deadline: Friday, May 22, 2026 (11:59 PM EDT)

• Position Title: Artistic Director
• Reporting To: Board of Directors
• Type of Employment: Full-time, based on a 35-hour per week work schedule.
  • Applicants should have flexibility to participate in evening and weekend programming as required
• Compensation: Annual salary of $65,000
• Benefits: Annual health and wellness allowance, monthly phone plan contribution, and generous vacation package.
• Work Locations: Administrative work is conducted remotely, programming is in person and multi-site (different venues throughout Toronto)
• Intended start date: July or August

The Music Gallery is an experimental music organization based in Toronto, Canada. Our core mission is to cultivate artistic experimentation and community through sound, music, and sharing in the creative process. Our programming takes shape through concerts, festivals, residencies, workshops, and special projects in a variety of formats. We take pride in presenting ambitious artistry and connecting communities to build new possibilities.

The Music Gallery is equally concerned with how programming is presented as we are with what is presented.

The Artistic Director plays a central curatorial role in shaping this programming and expressing the mission of the Music Gallery through responsive and collaborative activity. The Artistic Director should have strong connections to experimental music, sound, and art communities locally, along with curiosity about established and emerging movements within these fields. Ongoing relationship-building with individuals, collectives, and organizations is central to the role.

A successful candidate balances creative vision with strong administrative skills. The role generally breaks down as follows:

• 70% Organization, Planning & Implementation: managing full event production cycles, grant writing and reporting
• 20% Creative Development: soliciting ideas, working directly with artists, pitching projects.
• 10% Community Connections: building and maintaining relationships with co-presenters, venues, collectives, and artists.

The Artistic Director is one of two full-time senior staff members (alongside the Executive Director) and reports to the Board of Directors.

Essential Skills, Experiences & Values

• Training or knowledge in safe spaces and equity principles
• Strong connection to Toronto arts communities
• Knowledge of or curiosity about musical history, particularly creative music and the Great Black Music movement
• Established track record of curation, event coordination and production
• Varied and successful experiences with grant writing, sponsorships, and/or other funding applications
• Well organized and effective in individual tasks and in team environments as both a leader and collaborator

Primary Roles & Responsibilities

Artistic Programming & Strategic Direction

• Curation and Planning: Coordinate programming and oversee guest curators. Annual programming includes concerts, festivals, residencies, workshops, and special events as determined by senior staff. Programming is:
  • Multi-generational
  • Multi-disciplinary (with music and sound as a focus)
  • Genre-agnostic (open to diverse styles, traditions, aesthetics, and concert formats that allow artists to explore or defy convention)
  • Network-building across local, national, and international communities
• Research & Relationship-Building: Conduct outreach and communications with artists, collectives, and organizations, including:
  • Receiving and evaluating proposals and submissions.
  • Overseeing the Artistic Advisory Council and convening periodic meetings to gather input on programming direction.
• Strategic Direction: Provide leadership in articulating long-term artistic objectives that align with the Music Gallery’s mission, values, and strategic plan. Envision new possibilities and practices for the organization.

Event/Production Co-ordination:

• Artists: Negotiate fees and contract terms with artists or their agents.
• Travel: Coordinate and schedule artist travel and accommodations.
• Venues: Research and secure venues appropriate to each project.
• Technical Production: Support technical and production staff in gathering riders, input lists, equipment rental information, lighting/projection needs, and preparing run-of-show schedules.
• Partners: Coordinate with other organizations on co-presented programming.

Marketing Support:

• Generate creative briefs for design and marketing staff.
• Develop event descriptions and related communications.
• Review and approve marketing materials.
• Support website updates.
• Collaborate on tailored marketing strategies to ensure strong audience engagement.

Administration:

• In collaboration with the Executive Director, the Artistic Director contributes to:
  • Annual Programming Plans
  • Annual budgets, and event budgeting
  • Funding applications (including operating grants to Toronto Arts Council,  Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and the Department of Canadian Heritage), project grants, foundation appeals, and final reports
  • Board reports (presented on alternating months)
• Participate in regular staff meetings (marketing, production, etc.) and staff training
• Participate in HR processes, including hiring, evaluations, and goal setting (the Board oversees the Artistic Director’s evaluation)
• Attend community and networking events
• Supporting member and donor cultivation and stewardship

More About the Music Gallery

The Music Gallery is a 50-year-old organization rooted in creative music. Over the decades, we have operated in multiple locations, most recently at 918 Bathurst Street. Our programming is no longer housed at that venue and we now operate as a multi-site, multi-venue organization. We curate venues in response to the needs of artists and specific event formats.

While our mission has evolved over time, our current focus is on growing deeper rather than bigger. We are investing more resources into the artistic process by creating meaningful time and space for artists to cultivate their practices.

Music Gallery presentations are more than standalone concerts. When hosting touring artists, we foster mentorship, collaboration, and thoughtful opportunities with local artists. Our events prioritize both technical excellence and a care centred ethos. From first engagement to final follow-up, we prioritize thoughtful, artist-forward support.

Staff are encouraged to maintain their own artistic practices and freelance commitments. Any external curatorial work must be discussed with the Board of Directors to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure appropriate use of Music Gallery resources.

Non-discrimination Statement:

Music Gallery does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, and vendors.

Music Gallery is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran’s status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

How to Apply:

Submit a Cover Letter & Resume/CV as a single PDF document through the submission form linked below.

Questions:

Contact: Matthew Fava, Executive Director, The Music Gallery
matthew@musicgallery.org

Please note that incomplete submissions will not be considered. Applications will not be accepted by fax, email attachment, mail, courier or hand-delivery. No phone calls please. 

The Music Gallery would like to thank all applicants for their interest, but only candidates being considered for an interview will be contacted.