Therapeutic Arts Coordinator

ORGANIZATION:
The Reach Gallery Museum

DEADLINE:
Until Filled

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:
The Reach Gallery Museum is an award-winning public art gallery, local history museum, and regional archive serving Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley. We are a charitable non-profit organization committed to inclusive, community-centered programming that fosters creativity, connection, and lifelong learning.

WEBSITE:
http://thereach.ca

JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Reach is seeking a compassionate, creative, experienced, and organized Therapeutic Arts Coordinator to lead its new Therapeutic Arts Program, which serves unpaid adult caregivers aged 55+ in Abbotsford. This is a temporary, full-time position wholly supported by grant funding. The Coordinator oversees the design, coordination, facilitation, and evaluation of therapeutic arts activities delivered through in-person sessions at partner facilities, online video-based creative programming, and take-home therapeutic arts activity kits. This is a public-facing, community-centered role focused on supporting caregiver well-being through accessible, trauma-informed creative experiences, aligned with the principles of safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Design, create, and test lesson plans for therapeutic, accessible, and inclusive arts activities for unpaid caregivers aged 55+ living in Abbotsford.
• Screen, interview, and evaluate program participants, identify participant goals, and develop therapeutic activities to support them.
• Ensure activities support emotional well-being, stress reduction, and social connection.
• Adapt therapeutic arts interventions for in-person, online, and at-home formats.
• Purchase and prepare program materials.
• Track program expenses and adhere to the program budget.
• Work with staff to create digital and print marketing materials using tools such as Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, social media platforms, and Constant Contact.
• Grow program participation through networking, partner development, and community outreach.
• Facilitate therapeutic arts sessions at The Reach and partner locations.
• Recruit, train, support, and schedule additional facilitators as needed in collaboration with the Curator of Learning & Community Engagement.
• Create welcoming, culturally safe, and joyful creative spaces.
• Plan and support the creation of short therapeutic arts videos for The Reach’s YouTube channel.
• Design and produce take-home therapeutic arts activity kits and coordinate their distribution through community partners.
• Liaise with partner organizations to coordinate programming logistics and referrals.
• Track attendance, participation, and kit distribution data.
• Evaluate program effectiveness and gather feedback to support continuous improvement and grant reporting.
• Attend regular planning and check-in meetings with The Reach team.

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Post-secondary education or equivalent experience in art therapy, therapeutic arts, expressive arts therapies, community arts practice, visual arts, education, recreation therapy, or a related field.
• Experience facilitating arts-based programming with adults and/or older adults.
• Strong organizational, communication, and time management skills.
• Comfort appearing on camera for video-based programming.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively.
• Access to reliable transportation for off-site programs.
• Ability to lift and transport materials and supplies.
• Training in art therapy, expressive arts, or wellness-based creative practice is an asset.
• Strong understanding of trauma-informed and accessible arts programming is an asset.
• Experience working with caregivers, seniors, or vulnerable populations is an asset.
• Experience creating digital or video content is an asset.
• Experience with program evaluation or grant-funded projects is an asset.
• Valid First Aid and CPR certification is an asset.
• Working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite is an asset.

HOW TO APPLY:
Please email a resumé and cover letter as a single PDF outlining your interest and relevant experience to Andrea Orlosky, Curator of Learning & Community Engagement, at aorlosky@thereach.ca. Use the subject line “Therapeutic Arts Coordinator Application.” Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

REMUNERATION:
$30–$35 per hour.