Lead Public Art Program Coordinator

As a central hub in the Metro Vancouver area, the City of New Westminster delivers a broad spectrum of urban services to over 85,000 residents. New Westminster is rich in history with a viable and thriving economy and has a population representative of the diversity of the region. The City is staffed by talented and dedicated employees who work together to achieve its strategic vision.

We have earned a proud reputation for civic leadership, service delivery, and outstanding employee relations.

New Westminster is home to a passionate and engaged arts community, and the City is seeking a dynamic individual to support the interests of this community by joining our team as the Lead Public Art Program Coordinator. Reporting to the Manager of Community Arts & Theatre, you will plan, develop and implement new permanent and temporary public art projects and related educational programs and events, as well as coordinate the maintenance and preservation of the City’s public art inventory.

• Plan, oversee and lead the development and implementation of the City-wide public art program, public art projects and related programs and services, in alignment with policies, cultural strategies, and community objectives;
• Provide strategic advice, expertise and guidance to a variety of internal and external contacts such as City departments, developers and community partners to integrate public art into civic infrastructure, capital projects and neighbourhood plans, ensuring alignment with City priorities and objectives; and collaborates with engineers, architects and artists to ensure design integrity, feasibility and regulatory compliance;
• Conduct research and analysis of social, economic, cultural and artistic data; prepares reports, concept plans and recommendations to support policy, bylaw and program development related to public art initiatives;
• Lead complex planning and policy processes related to the public art portfolio including revising existing policies and preparing draft policies and guidelines; as required, provides input into community city-wide and inter-departmental planning policies, area plans, zoning considerations and other planning initiatives related to public art;
• Develop strategies and campaigns to promote community awareness, engagement and participation in public art; facilitate public consultation and advisory committee processes to gather and ensure meaningful interest holder inputs;
• Plan and convene review panels to adjudicate public art proposals and work with specialized advisory group members including Indigenous Elders, educators, community members and art experts;
• Develop artist calls and contracts with artists, contractors and specialized service providers;
• Oversee and evaluate the work of external artists, contractors and specialized service providers; provide direction, guidance and feedback throughout design, fabrication and installation to ensure compliance with project goals, budgets, schedules and safety standards;
• Build strong relationships and partnerships with a wide variety of internal and external interest holders (community groups, organizations, members of the public, businesses);
• Integrate City values of diversity, equity, inclusion and anti-racism into the public art Program by developing strategies to ensure that the City’s public art collection and initiatives reflect the diversity of New Westminster and support an inclusive and welcoming community;
• Ensure accurate documentation and management of the City’s public art collection, including its upkeep through active preservation, conservation and restoration methods that use industry best practices. Coordinates deaccessioning as required;
• Coordinate and facilitate unveiling event(s) and educational programs related to public art projects;
• Prepare policies, guidelines, project plans, reports and presentations related to the City’s public art program and provide research, statistical and content analysis related to public art as needed;
• Provide administration and oversight of the City’s public art reserve fund, input to associated operating and capital budgets, and monitor the same;
• Performs…