Community Stage Curator - Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival

ORGANIZATION:
City of Burnaby

DEADLINE:
Jan. 27, 2026

ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION:
The City has hosted the Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival in Deer Lake Park since 2000, featuring a wide array of veteran and emerging professional blues and roots artists originating from around the world. In 2023, the City removed the ticketing fee from the festival, making it free for all to attend, and in 2024 the City removed the site fencing, making it more straightforward for attendees to come and go from the site. Based on feedback and direction from City Council, the 2025 Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival included the return of a second stage on the East Lawn focused on local and emerging musical talent. In 2026 this second stage will return at a to-be-determined location, continuing to promote local and emerging musical talent. We approach genre with the widest possible definition of Blues and Roots.

WEBSITE:
http://www.burnaby.ca/recreation-and-arts/events/burnaby-blues-roots-festival

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Project Summary
The City is seeking a music programmer to curate the programming for the 2026 Burnaby Blues + Roots Festival community stage, tentatively scheduled for Saturday, August 8, 2026, between 2:30–8:30pm at Deer Lake Park. This work will be done in collaboration with Burnaby staff from the Festivals & Special Events team.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Curating and programming community stage entertainment, including 4–5 musical performances from local and emerging artists
• Reviewing the proposed stage schedule provided by City staff and recommending alternative schedules if appropriate
• Acting as host/MC to introduce performances and provide event context throughout the day
• Drafting an MC script with support from City staff
• Facilitating relationships between performers and City staff regarding technical equipment and artist needs
• Acting as a liaison to performers and providing site-specific information (parking, green room location, general event details)
• Assisting City staff with the development of a press release, social media content, and other marketing elements as required
• Assisting in the collection of artist bios and images for marketing purposes
• Participating in potential media and social media interviews to promote the artists
• Attending pre-event planning meetings (monthly, in person or via MS Teams) and liaison meetings to provide updates
• Assisting with training City of Burnaby volunteers supporting the event
• Providing day-of-event support, including welcoming and signing in artists, supporting participants, and liaising with the production team
• Participating in post-event debrief meetings and contributing to wrap-up reporting

Excluded from the scope of work:
• Performer and vendor contracting
• Site management and design
• Volunteer management
• Day-of technical work (City staff will run AV equipment and facilitate stage turnovers)

QUALIFICATIONS:
• Strong connections with the local music scene, particularly with emerging artists
• Experience supporting curation and programming of music events
• Demonstrated experience working with musicians, especially local and emerging artists
• Experience planning music-based events, including artistic and programming roles

HOW TO APPLY:
Engagement is proposed to begin as early as February 2026, with the intent to finalize a lineup no later than April 2026. Interested applicants should submit via email a letter of interest of up to two pages that includes a description of yourself and why you are interested in this opportunity, your experience working with musicians (especially local and emerging artists), and your experience planning music-based events (artistic and programming). Please attach a copy of your resume or Curriculum Vitae. Deadline: January 27, 2026 at midnight (Pacific Standard Time). Email proposals to celebrate@burnaby.ca with the subject line “BBRF Community Curator.”

REMUNERATION:
Contract: $7,500