Artistic Director
/Job Title:
Artistic Director
Organization:
Urban Ink
Deadline:
Jul. 10, 2026
Organization Description:
Urban Ink creates art to uplift Indigenous and diverse voices through transformative storytelling that inspires dialogue, empathy, and positive social change.
SOCIETAL VISION
To create an equitable world where all peoples are present in our circle, feeling respected, valued, and understood through the stories we share.
OUR VALUES
Community: We create relationships rooted in inclusivity, diversity, and reciprocity.
Integrity: We strive to be humble, accountable, and truthful, and encourage care and respect in our circle.
Bravery: We honour the courageous creators, change makers and storytellers who bravely share their voices and ground us in stories of who we have always been and who we could become.
OUR LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We acknowledge and pay our respects to the territory that we travel through and share our stories on. To the Traditional Owners, Elders, Ancestors, and Young Leaders of these territories: We acknowledge, with full respect, the strength of Indigenous Peoples (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit) and communities who are continuing to practice culture, connecting and reconnecting to land; and we acknowledge the power and excellence of Indigenous peoples and communities fighting to protect and look after Land, Community, Language and Lore, in the face of ongoing colonial interruptions and cultural genocide. In particular we acknowledge and pay our respects to the sovereign peoples of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl’ilwətaɁɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) on whose unceded land Urban Ink is based.
Always was, always will be, sacred Indigenous land.
For over 25 years, Urban Ink has been a catalyst for change, amplifying Indigenous and diverse voices through groundbreaking storytelling, performance, and media. Founded in 2001 by Marie Clements, Urban Ink began as an Indigenous and multi-cultural theatre company, committed to producing works that challenged the status quo and pushed the boundaries of Canadian theatre. Marie’s tenure saw the creation of over a dozen new works, including Burning Vision (2002 Governor General Award Nomination), which toured nationally and was featured at The Festival of the Americas (2003) in Montreal and the inaugural Magnetic North Festival in Ottawa (2003). Her final production with Urban Ink, Copper Thunderbird (2007), graced the stage of Canada’s National Arts Centre, setting a high standard for Indigenous performance.
In 2007, Diane Roberts took the helm as Artistic Director, ushering in a new era of growth and international collaboration. Over her seven-year leadership, Urban Ink deepened its roots in community-based work, partnering with rural Indigenous communities and expanding its reach to the Caribbean. Notable productions during this period included Sal Capone: The Lamentable Tragedy of by Omari Newton, developed in association with Black Theatre Workshop in Montreal, which toured from 2013 to 2018, including a run at the National Arts Centre.
In 2014, Corey Payette became Artistic Director, further expanding Urban Ink’s national and international presence. Corey’s leadership brought new energy and vision, directing the first revival of Margo Kane’s Moonlodge since 2000, presenting Freedom Singer by Khari Wendell McClelland, Andrew Kushnir, and Jodie Martinson, and writing and directing Children of God, which toured extensively across Canada, including performances at The Cultch, National Arts Centre, Citadel Theatre, and more. In 2018, Corey co-created Les Filles du Roi with Julie McIsaac, a production that won four Jessie Awards, and collaborated with Caravan Farm Theatre on Sedna, alongside Reneltta Arluk and Marshall McMahen. That same year, Urban Ink co-founded TRANSFORM: A Cabaret Festival with The Cultch, a celebration of Indigenous and diverse artists that continues to thrive.
As the world faced the challenges of the pandemic, Urban Ink adapted by deepening our Indigenized practices and expanding our digital presence. We produced multiple digital editions of the Transform Festival from 2020-2023 and marked a new chapter in our ability to connect with audiences globally. We have continued this momentum with the production of our documentary feature film Stories That Transform Us, showcasing the resilience and creativity of our community. In 2023, we released 2 digital productions Guide My Way: A Concert Film and Les Filles du Roi which has been featured in film festivals around the world and won multiple international and local film awards including 2 Leo Awards in 2024. We also produced two world premieres Starwalker, a new musical by Corey Payette and Homecoming by Kamila Sediego.
Our 2024-2025 season marked a new expansion with the return of the Transform Festival in person at the Vancouver Playhouse, the return of a national tour of Children of God, and the upcoming release of our new musical feature film adaptation of Starwalker.
Urban Ink supports Indigenous and diverse artists from the seed of an idea to full productions showcased worldwide through theatre, national tours, feature films, digital works, and festivals. We are committed to long-term relationships with artists, providing a home for storytellers to develop their voices over years of collaboration. Our programming highlights stories that create unity, inspire social change, share cultural knowledge, and encourage collective healing.
Our work transcends the stage, fostering relationships and community through feasting, cultural knowledge exchange with Elders, workshops, facilitated conversations, and installations. Whether on a rural reserve or the mainstage at the National Arts Centre, we aim to open hearts and minds to new perspectives and experiences.
At Urban Ink, we recognize that diverse leadership at all levels is the root of our success. We celebrate the complexities of our mixed identities and welcome all peoples into our circle. As we look to the future, we remain dedicated to fostering an inclusive, empathetic society where Indigenous and diverse voices lead the way.
Website:
https://urbanink.ca/work-with-us/
Job Description:
The Opportunity
Urban Ink is seeking an Artistic Director to lead the organization into its next chapter of artistic growth, cultural leadership, and organizational sustainability.
The Artistic Director will steward Urban Ink’s artistic vision and programming while continuing to deepen relationships with Indigenous and culturally diverse artists and communities. This role is both visionary and collaborative, balancing artistic ambition with strategic planning, community care, and organizational leadership. Working in partnership with the Managing Director within a co-leadership model, the Artistic Director will help shape Urban Ink’s future across live performance, film, digital creation, touring, festivals, artistic development, and community-engaged practice.
The Artistic Director will support Urban Ink’s strategic priorities, including:
●Finding and championing new Indigenous and diverse artists and stories
●Producing meaningful Canadian artistic work with increasing social impact
●Expanding audiences, partnerships, and national/international presence
●Supporting sustainable organizational growth and healthy workplace culture
Urban Ink is fiercely proud of its past work and programs. It is simultaneously open to new directions and ideas if they best fulfill the mission and goals of the company.
Candidate Profile
Urban Ink is seeking a collaborative, visionary, and community-minded artistic leader with a strong commitment to culturally diverse storytelling.
We recognize that leadership pathways are not always linear or equitable, and we welcome applicants with a range of lived experiences, artistic practices, and leadership backgrounds.
The ideal candidate is someone who:
●Leads with generosity, integrity, and cultural awareness
●Is passionate about artist development and community relationship-building
●Understands the realities of producing ambitious contemporary work within nonprofit arts structures
●Balances artistic excellence with collaboration, sustainability, and care
●Is excited to imagine new possibilities for Indigenous and culturally diverse storytelling across multiple platforms
Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Urban Ink Board of Directors, the Artistic Director will be the organization’s guiding artistic visionary and will co-lead the organization alongside the Managing Director. Urban Ink operates within a collaborative co-leadership structure between the Artistic Director and a Managing Director (to be engaged after the Artistic Director is in place). The Artistic Director and Managing Director work collaboratively to support the organization's overall health, sustainability, and management, bringing distinct areas of expertise to the role.
The Artistic Director will be specifically responsible to:
Artistic Leadership & Programming
●Curate and oversee Urban Ink’s artistic programming, including productions, festivals, workshops, touring initiatives, digital works, and artistic development programs
●Lead artistic planning and season development in alignment with Urban Ink’s mission and strategic priorities
●Support artists through all stages of creation, from early development to full production and presentation
●Champion new Indigenous and culturally diverse voices and stories
●Maintain awareness of contemporary performance practices, artists, and developments in the Canadian and international arts ecology
●Foster artistic collaboration across theatre, film, music, digital storytelling, and multidisciplinary practice
Community Engagement & Cultural Leadership
●Build and sustain meaningful relationships with Indigenous and culturally diverse artists, communities, Elders, Knowledge Keepers, and partner organizations
●Act as a public spokesperson and ambassador for Urban Ink through public speaking, media, fundraising, and sector engagement
●Support culturally grounded artistic practices, protocols, and reciprocal community relationships
●Strengthen Urban Ink’s role as a gathering place for artists, audiences, and communities
Organizational Leadership
●Collaborate closely with the Managing Director to align artistic vision with operational planning, financial sustainability, and organizational priorities
●Participate in strategic planning, policy development, and organizational growth initiatives
●Support and mentor staff, contractors, and emerging artists
●Foster a healthy, collaborative, inclusive, and respectful workplace culture
●Participate in Board meetings and provide regular reports on artistic activity and strategic opportunities
Fundraising & Partnerships
●Contribute to grant writing, reporting, fundraising initiatives, sponsorship development, and donor stewardship
●Cultivate partnerships with presenters, festivals, funders, producing organizations, and community collaborators
●Support national and international touring, co-productions, and artistic exchange opportunities
●Help advance Urban Ink’s long-term sustainability and visibility
Operations & Administration
●Collaborate on annual program budgets, staffing plans, production planning, and marketing initiatives
●Support organizational systems and processes that align with Urban Ink’s values and strategic goals
●Balance artistic vision with operational realities and organizational capacity
Qualifications: Desired Skills & Experience
Artistic & Sector Experience
●Strong artistic vision and curatorial judgment
●Experience developing and producing new artistic work
●Experience in theatre, multidisciplinary performance, film, music, digital media, or related artistic practices
●Knowledge of the Canadian arts landscape and Indigenous and culturally diverse artistic communities
●Experience supporting artists at multiple stages of their careers
Leadership & Collaboration
●Collaborative leadership style rooted in communication, accountability, and relationship-building
●Experience working within team-based or co-leadership structures
●Ability to mentor artists, staff, and emerging cultural leaders
●Strong interpersonal and public communication skills
Strategic & Organizational Capacity
●Experience contributing to organizational planning and long-term visioning
●Ability to balance artistic ambition with financial and operational realities
●Experience participating in grant writing, reporting, fundraising, and partnership development
●Strong organizational and project management skills
Community & Cultural Leadership
●Deep respect for Indigenous cultural practices, protocols, and community relationships
●Commitment to equity, anti-racism, accessibility, and inclusion
●Understanding of reciprocal and community-engaged artistic practice
●Ability to build trust across diverse communities and artistic networks
Indigenous & Culturally Diverse Leadership Considerations
Urban Ink is committed to uplifting Indigenous and culturally diverse leadership at all levels of the organization. We recognize that lived experience, cultural knowledge, and community relationships are essential forms of leadership and expertise.
We strongly encourage applications from:
●First Nations, Inuit, and Métis artists and cultural leaders
●Racialized and culturally diverse artists and administrators
●Two-Spirit, LGBTQIA+ and gender-diverse leaders
●Artists and leaders from multidisciplinary and community-engaged practices
Urban Ink values leaders who:
●Understand the importance of cultural safety and reciprocal relationships
●Lead with humility, listening, and care
●Embrace collaborative and non-hierarchical approaches to leadership
●Are committed to supporting future generations of artists and storytellers
●Believe in the transformative power of art to create dialogue, healing, empathy, and systemic change
Urban Ink acknowledges that no candidate will possess every qualification listed above. If you believe you will thrive in this role and contribute meaningfully to Urban Ink’s future, we encourage you to apply.
Other Key Traits and Characteristics:
Creativity and Innovation - Creating innovative approaches, programming, processes, technologies, and/or systems to achieve the desired result.
Leadership - Organizing and influencing people to believe in a vision while creating a sense of purpose and direction.
Project Management - Identifying and overseeing all resources, tasks, systems, and people to obtain results.
Self-Starting, Time & Priority Management - Demonstrating initiative and willingness to begin working. While prioritizing and completing tasks to deliver desired outcomes within allotted time frames.
Futuristic Thinking - Imagining, envisioning, projecting, and/or creating what has not yet been actualized while analyzing all situational aspects to make consistently sound and timely decisions.
Planning and Organizing - Establishing courses of action to ensure that work is completed effectively.
Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills - Cooperating with others to meet objectives and the ability to communicate effectively to build rapport while relating to many different people.
Decision Making & Problem Solving - Analyzing all aspects of a situation to make consistently sound and timely decisions with the ability to define, analyze, and diagnose key components of a problem to formulate a solution.
External Stakeholder Focus - Anticipating, meeting, and exceeding stakeholder needs and expectations.
Artist & Employee Development/Coaching - Facilitating, supporting, and contributing to the professional growth of others.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - Being aware and sensitive to the gaps and opportunities with ED&I in the organization.
How to Apply:
The Urban Ink Artistic Director Search is guided by Martin Bragg, Nicola Dawes, and Nancy Webster of Martin Bragg & Associates. To apply confidentially, please email your letter of interest and resume in Word or PDF format to Martin Bragg & Associates at urbanink@mbassociates.ca. The review of applications will begin immediately. The deadline for receipt of applications is July 10, 2026. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply and will receive an acknowledgment of their application. No phone calls, please.
Urban Ink and Martin Bragg & Associates are committed to an open and transparent hiring process and encourage applications from our diverse community.
Remuneration:
Urban Ink offers a comprehensive compensation package, including an annual salary of $70,000 - $80,000 per year, commensurate with experience and membership in Urban Ink’s extended benefit program. This is a permanent, full-time position located in Vancouver, BC.
