Communications – Youth + Art + Community

Application Deadline: 

Dec. 6, 2011

Volunteer Information

Organization Name: 

Community Arts Council of Vancouver

Description: 

Are you a fantastic communicator who’s passionate about the non-profit sector? Do you have awesome communication skills that aren’t being put to use? Want to help share the good news about community-engaged art events? Like youth and can communicate well with folks of all ages? (Maybe you *are* a youth!)

Good news – we have an important role for you!

We just hosted our first ever Future of Community Arts in Vancouver celebration in the Woodward’s Atrium on Saturday November 26 (Yes, the same day as the Grey Cup parade and the Storm Watch!)

We reached out to groups who work with kids and youth and the arts – and boy, did they show up! The Atrium was an exciting, creative place with a storytelling living room; tent and life-size shadow figures; silver salmon, theatre improve, silk screening, collage making. Not to mention the birthday cake and cameo appearance of Van Van the Chinatown mascot!

Now we want to start in on next year’s event and in the meantime support and promote community arts events and programs for kids and youth.

We have a facebook page and twitter account for ArtsFutureYVR and a presence on communityarts.ning.com – but we need you to animate, connect, invite, cheer.

You’ll probably want to attend a Community Arts Activities and/or Communications Committee meeting now and again to meet the rest of the team. It would be helpful if you’re interested in interviewing and writing and could interview some of our partners and members.

We really want to keep the momentum going – not just planning next year’s event, but helping us make all events youth-friendly.

You’ll probably have your own ideas about how we can reach out.

We have a strong presence on facebook, twitter and have our own "ning" site. Some of our key volunteers are very innovative and always learning about new strategies and platforms. So you may learn from them (or maybe you'll teach us all). Recently we've started using timely.is and are looking into storify (what's that?)

The communications assistant will be responsible for:

- writing posts and developing relationships online

- researching hot topics
- connecting with our partners to find out how we can help promote their activities

Optional: - meet with other volunteers to helping to:

- develop strategies for supporting our members
- monitor social media properties
- respond to posts or notify appropriate  team members as required

What you’ll get out of the experience:

- ARTS CONNECTIONS: You'll meet great people who are creative and passionate about community arts and know you're helping them to spread the good word. We have well over 50 volunteers in a range of roles. They’re all just as nice as you are!

- EXPERIENCE! You’ll be developing, implementing and evaluating social media strategy from start to finish. You’ll be able to gain experience in event planning, writing, interviewing and communicating in general.

Bonus! You’ll feel great at the end of the day because you’ve worked to creatively and honestly engage youth in “creating community through the arts.”

Think you’ve got what it takes? Check out the skills you’ll need for this position below:

Skills & Characteristics Required:
- Social media savvy – familiar with Facebook, Twitter, etc.
- Communications and writing skills
- Responsible and self-motivated
- A passion for kids/youth and the arts
- like to be part of a growing team – that meets on occasion in person and a lot virtually.

Time Investment – 2 hours per week in short bursts!

Duration – ideally you’ll be with us for a full year, to help steer us through to next fall’s event.

If this sounds like an opportunity you’re interested in, please contact Mary Bennett mary@cacv.ca

Orientation and Communications manual available.

Initially some time will be spent at the office and  meeting other key volunteers.

Afterwards, most work can be done by remote. But you'll always be invited to join others to help build the team and meet others.

Contact Information

Name: 

Mary Bennett

Email Address: 

mary@cacv.ca

Website: 

http://cacv.ca

Phone Number: 

(604) 682-0010