Chinese Canadian Apology - Public Art Project Community Liaison
/Job Title:
Chinese Canadian Apology - Public Art Project Community Liaison
Organization:
City of Burnaby - Burnaby Art Gallery
Deadline:
May. 18, 2026
Organization Description:
This is a contract opportunity with the Burnaby Art Gallery, within the City of Burnaby’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Department. Burnaby’s Public Art program regularly undertakes projects that add beauty and significance to public spaces and facilities, and that animate community stories, milestones, and aspirations. Through placing priority on community-engaged art, Burnaby’s approach to public art supports opportunities for inclusive creative expression that reflects the myriad perspectives that shape the city.
Website:
http://burnaby.ca/chinesecanadianpublicart
Job Description:
We are seeking a contract for a Public Art Project Community Liaison to facilitate community engagement for a landmark public art project, anticipated to be completed in 2028. Following the City of Burnaby’s 2025 official apology for historic discrimination against people of Chinese descent, City Council has directed the commission of a permanent commemorative artwork to serve as a physical marker of this apology and a site for learning and collective healing.
The Public Art Project Community Liaison will lead an engagement process, beginning in 2026. They will work closely with a public art project committee and community-composed project committee to ensure that the artwork is deeply rooted in local history, contemporary stories, and shared aspirations. Following phase one, which occurs in 2026, pending future budget approvals, the Community Liaison will have the opportunity to continue to support the project through design development, installation and celebration.
The Project
On November 15, 2025, City Council issued an official apology for the discriminatory policies enforced by the District Municipality of Burnaby between 1892 and 1947. This history of systemic exclusion affected the lives, businesses, and belonging of people of Chinese descent for over half a century.
To turn this apology into lasting action, the City is committed to:
• Creating a permanent commemorative monument or artwork as a physical symbol of the apology;
• Honouring historic sites significant to the Chinese diaspora through heritage recognition and interpretive art;
• Reclaiming public space through murals that celebrate cultural diversity.
A resulting artwork will be commissioned and sited on City land, becoming a permanent part of the Civic Public Art Collection—a focal point for gathering, reflection, and the ongoing celebration of Chinese Canadian heritage.
Responsibilities:
SCOPE OF ROLE:
The Public Art Project Community Liaison will be responsible for the following deliverables, divided by phase. This role acts as the vital link between the City, the Project Committee, the Chinese Canadian community, and the commissioned artist(s).
Phase 1: Development, Outreach & Protocol (2026)
• Engagement Framework & Cultural Protocol: Develop a written strategy for community outreach that prioritizes cultural safety and trauma-informed facilitation, ensuring a respectful environment for sharing histories of discrimination.
• Strategy and Plan Delivery: Collaborate closely with the City’s Public Art team to refine, update, and implement the project work plan. The liaison will be responsible for providing progress updates and delivering required materials at key project milestones to support timely reporting and submissions to Council.
• Project Committee Coordination: Support the development of the Chinese Canadian Apology Public Art Project Committee; act as the primary liaison with selected members and coordinate all committee activities, including meetings, agendas, and minutes.
• Multilingual Outreach Management: Oversee the production of engagement materials (posters, social media, surveys) in English and Simplified/Traditional Chinese; manage third-party translation services or interpreters for live events.
• Facilitated Discussion: Arrange and organize outreach facilitated "Storytelling Sessions" with Project members and focus groups to consider themes, historical and contemporary stories, and cultural symbols.
• Internal Review: Interviews and other strategies identified to review and consider input from City and community contributors not otherwise included in outreach sessions.
• Public Engagement Sessions: Design, plan and coordinate a series of accessible sessions for the public that address key themes, stories, questions and symbols from facilitated sessions.
• The "Community Vision" Report: Synthesize community and project feedback into a formal report. This document will serve as the foundation for the Call to Artists, ensuring the artistic brief reflects community priorities.
Phase 2: Implementation Support (2027)
• Artist Support: Act as a cultural and community resource for the shortlisted/commissioned artist(s), helping them interpret the "Community Vision" report and navigate nuances of the local context.
• Progress Communications: Maintain communications with the community and project committee, providing regular updates (newsletters, social media, or presentations) on how their feedback influenced the artistic design.
• Site Liaison: Work with City staff to ensure the chosen site(s) and materials align with the community’s accessibility needs and the project’s commemorative intent.
• Community Stories: Create digital archives of community stories and photos collected.
Phase 3: Celebration, Legacy & Evaluation (2028)
• Celebration Event Lead: Plan and execute a community unveiling event. This includes coordinating speakers (Project Committee members, Elders, City officials) and ensuring translated program materials are available.
• Legacy & Activation Plan: Create a brief "Activation Guide" for the City on how the artwork can be used for future educational tours, annual commemorations, or school curriculum.
• Project Evaluation & Archive: Complete a final project report including engagement statistics, "lessons learned," and delivery of “Community Stories.”
Anticipated Hours Allocation (Estimate)
• 2026 (Planning & Outreach): Approximately 600 hours
Focus: Strategy, Committee meetings, focus groups, and public community workshops.
• 2027 (Implementation & Artist Support): Approximately 300 hours (pending budget approval)
Focus: Selecting the artist, site visits, and maintaining community connection.
• 2028 (Celebration & Wrap-up): Approximately 200 hours (pending budget approval)
Focus: The unveiling event, final report, and archival handover.
Qualifications:
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROLE
Language & Cultural Competency
• Ability to speak, read, or write in one or more Chinese languages (highly preferred)
• Demonstrated knowledge of Burnaby’s Chinese Canadian community
• Experience working with cultural diversity, anti racism, and intercultural issues
• Ability to work with sensitivity, cultural humility, and respect for diverse lived experiences
Community Engagement
• Demonstrated skills in community leadership and outreach
• Experience facilitating community engagement sessions, consultations, or workshops
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with community partners, interested parties, and City staff
Project & Planning Skills
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex planning processes from inception through completion
• Strong organizational and project management skills, including ability to meet milestones and reporting requirements
Communication Skills
• Strong writing and editing abilities including the ability to develop public facing materials (e.g., newsletters, web content, social media updates, workshop materials)
Public Art Knowledge
• Familiarity with public art processes, materials, and production
Professional Requirements
• Holds Commercial General Liability Insurance
How to Apply:
A proposal submission (maximum 4 pages) shall include the following components:
A. Title Page: Showing legal and/or company name, mailing address, contact name, email address and phone number.
B. Project Approach: Provide a concise overview that includes:
• A statement of understanding of the project requirements; and
• How the Liaison will meet and/or exceed City expectations as per requirements.
C. Professional Profile: Provide a summary including but not limited to the following:
• Relevant project history;
• Personnel curricula vitae;
• Current projects or contracts of similar scope;
D. Qualifications and Experience:
• Describe the qualifications and experience that demonstrate your ability to undertake the work outlined in this Scope of Role; and
• Confirm minimum qualification requirements.
E. References: Provide 2–3 references from recent projects of similar scope.
Remuneration:
$50-$75/hour with up to 600 Allotted hours in 2026
