OCAD U CAREER LAUNCHERS

2025 DesignTO

Programs Assistant 

OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

OCAD University’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists & Designers is excited to announce a recruited placement in partnership with DesignTO for the role of Programs Assistant.

Working with and reporting to the Artistic Director, the Programs Assistant supports the planning, administration, and execution of DesignTO Festival programming, including exhibitions, events, outreach, and special initiatives. With a keen interest in art, design, public programming and community engagement, this role requires effective ideation, communication, collaboration, and execution. Valuable attributes include strong communication and collaboration skills, attention to detail, self-motivation, and a willingness to learn. This is a part-time position, requiring an average of 12 hours of work per week, with reduced hours in April 2025 and increased hours during Festival Week in January 2026.

DesignTO is a non-profit arts organization that curates exhibitions, presentations and educational programming to increase the public’s knowledge and appreciation of design and its role in creating a sustainable, just and joyful world. DesignTO is best known for the DesignTO Festival, Canada’s leading and largest annual design festival that celebrates design as a multidisciplinary form of creative thinking and making.

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Collaborate with the Artistic Director and programming team to achieve Festival goals and long-term vision;
• Contribute to overall programming efforts by assisting with developing, organizing, and executing initiatives and projects, including research, outreach, calls for submissions, artwork installation;
• Share your ideas and participate in weekly team meetings;
• Maintain good communication internally and externally with the art and design community, partners, and stakeholders as appropriate to each project;
• Contribute to Festival website by assisting with content collection and event listings for Festival events;
• Be responsible for the progress and outcomes of initiatives and projects you contribute to;
• Support Festival events and projects by being an on-site point-of-contact.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Strong communications skills 
• Detail oriented, highly organized and strong time-management skills 
• Demonstrate problem-solving skills and a strong ability to clearly articulate point of view
• A team player with a “can-do” attitude—i.e., able to collaborate with all levels of internal and external partners
• Ability to work effectively and independently on multiple tasks within a deadline oriented, fast-paced environment
• Strong conceptual skills

We encourage applications fromequity-seeking communities including racialized and Indigenous persons, personswith disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions.

APPLICATION SUPPORT

The OCAD U RBC CEAD is committed to promoting substantive equality for equity-seeking groups that are under-represented in the creative sector. We encourage applications from first-time applicants to the program and graduates of equity-seeking communities including racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities / expressions. Applicants are welcome to advise the CEAD of any accommodations needed to ensure you have access to a fair and equitable process. 

Applicants who need assistance with their submissions are invited to connect with the RBC CEAD for Advising support. Click here to learn more about how to book an advising appointment.