Head of Programming and Participation

FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre

JOB POSTING – Head of Programming and Participation

Position Location: 250 St. Paul Street, St. Catharines, ON, Canada Job Type: Permanent Full-Time Hours of Work: 35 hours/week, Monday through Friday. Evening, weekend and overtime hours in accordance with the ESA will be required to accommodate business demands and position requirements. Salary Range: $68,000 to $80,000 plus benefits, pension and PTO ABOUT THE PAC The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (PAC) is a vibrant cultural hub and charitable organization located in downtown St. Catharines, the largest city in the Niagara Region of Ontario, Canada. The PAC aims to engage people in exceptional live arts experiences and to enrich the lives of the citizens of St. Catharines and the Niagara region, while providing a world- class venue for local, national and international artists and community arts organizations to flourish. The PAC opened its doors in 2015 as part of a transformative effort to rejuvenate St. Catharines’ downtown area. and has been a key catalyst for downtown development and an economic driver for Niagara, with over 40 new businesses opening with an economic spin-off of $17 million. The PAC team believes that healthy communities are built through arts and cultural engagement, and that our individual and collective identities are shaped through the stories told. They engage audiences across the Niagara region and work to remove barriers for under-served community members to experience the arts. The PAC features four performance venues: Partridge Hall, Recital Hall, Robertson Theatre, The Film House as well as the outdoor The Mann Raceway Plaza. Current PAC programs include: PAC Presents Live Performance Series, The Film House - an indie film house offering unique films and community screenings in a modern cinematic environment as well as facilitated community discussions, imPACt Education Series and access initiatives such as Pay-What-You- Can, discounted ticket prices for patrons under 30 years of age and partnership with the CANOO program to provide newcomers with access to free performing arts and film experiences. The PAC employs 27 full-time staff, 48 part-time staff, a pool of IATSE union workers and over 75 engaged and dedicated volunteers.

THE OPPORTUNITY Located in the heart of Niagara’s vibrant cultural corridor, the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre (PAC) is a flagship destination for more than 100,000 visitors and hundreds of artists annually . Now celebrating its 10th anniversary, the PAC is ready to deepen relationships with the talented artists and arts organizations in the region as it continues to play a vital role in enriching the region’s creative and civic life. The PAC presents a diverse range of programming, from popular to provocative, including signature initiatives such as the 2026 Art in Action: Climate Festival, which will feature Edward Burtynsky’s In the Wake of Progress, Ailey II, Elisapie, Tom Morello, Tenille Towns, the Tenors and more. These bold artistic undertakings reflect the PAC’s commitment to creative leadership and impact. This is an exciting moment for a bold and creative leader to join the PAC’s team. The incoming Head of Programming and Participation will create an inspiring artistic and creative vision brought to life in collaboration with the talented PAC team, deepening resonance throughout the Niagara region and beyond. THE ROLE Reporting to the Director of Programs and Services, the Head of Programming and Participation plays a central role in shaping the artistic and community arts vision of the Performing Arts Centre (PAC). This position is responsible for designing and delivering a robust and inspiring range of programs that connect meaningfully with the community, build partnerships, and position the PAC as a dynamic cultural hub. The Head of Programming and Participation leads all aspects of cultural entertainment bookings, including the negotiation and cultivation of relationships with artists, agents, and producers and all live and cinematic events. A skilled community-builder, the incumbent will cultivate sustainable partnerships and champion programming that supports cultural vitality and long-term audience development. Collaborating across departments and with external stakeholders, the Head of Programming and Participation will guide the creation and delivery of original programs and events that reflect the PAC’s strategic priorities, encourage community participation, and strengthen the regional performing arts ecosystem. This role demands a keen awareness of current trends in arts and entertainment, as well as a commitment to inclusive and forward-thinking programming. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Bring knowledge of emerging performing art forms and artists as well as trends in the industry to develop a quality presentation series and a relevant and current entertainment program that reflects the interests and experiences of our community.

• Reporting to the Director of Programs and Services, design, develop and execute annual programming strategies and partnerships including the PAC Presents season, ensuring adequate timelines, professional contract management and monitoring event progress.

• Negotiation of artist and performer fees and all contract details for performers and artistic acts.

• Develop presenting partnerships with local, regional, national, and international agents, managers and performers.

• Represent the FirstOntario Performing Arts Center within regional and national networks including Ontario Presents and CAPACOA, including networking with presenters from other cities, regions, and countries.

• Develop supportive relationships with local and regional performers in developing programs to further strengthen the local arts ecology.

• Design and execute educational programs for schools, youth and the general public, including the ImPACt Educational Series, as they support the PAC’s mandate mission and strategic plan.

• Oversee the strategy for The Film House, supporting the work of the Film Programmer.
• Communicate the unique qualities of all programming events to various internal and

external stakeholders, including media when required, to develop and implement a narrative around each project and the PAC’s artistic strategy as a whole.

• Liaise and collaborate across PAC departments in the preparation and execution of programming events, including onsite presence at PAC Presents and ImPACt programming.

• Assist in the preparation of grant applications.
• Maintain a positive work environment and foster a culture of collaboration, creativity,

safety, and continuous improvement. QUALIFICATIONS

• Five (5) to seven (7) years’ proven experience booking, coordinating and curating the production of events within the professional performing arts industry, required.

• Education or studies in performing arts, arts education, arts administration, event management, or related discipline, preferred.

• Experience in supporting and building programs for local artists and arts organizations. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Extensive knowledge of local, provincial, and national arts landscape.
• Comprehensive understanding of the logistics and requirements of executing high-quality

programming to diverse audiences.
• Motivated individual with proven initiative and excellent time and project management

skills.
• Exceptionally competent at coordinating projects amidst tight deadlines.
• High level communication skills and ability to build working relationships and

meaningfully collaborate with internal and external contacts.
• Willingness to grow professionally through ongoing education and continuous learning.

• Demonstrated commitment to excellence and high standards, always ensuring compliance with PAC standards, policies, and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• Open office setting, primarily.
• Must function effectively in high pressure environment bearing a great responsibility for

the work completed by those supervised.
• Decisions made take into considerations of the direct impact on team members,

customers, and overall organizational success

OUR PAC EMPLOYEE PROMISE Working at the PAC means embracing the values of collaboration, creativity, care, and continued learning. We offer a robust health and dental benefits plan including an employee assistance program and extended health care, pension plan, opportunities for learning and growth and vacation flexibility. The PAC is a casual, creative environment that offers an open-concept, pet-friendly workplace, supports flexible work schedules and believes in the importance of a healthy work-life balance. DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION At the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre, a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace is one where all employees and volunteers, whatever their gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation or identity, education, or disability, feels valued and respected. Managers commit to a nondiscriminatory leadership and provide equal opportunity for employment and advancement in their department, programs, and work environment. All the PAC employees will respect and value diverse life experiences and heritages and ensure that all voices within their team and the FirstOntario PAC are valued and heard. HEALTH AND SAFETY All employees will be expected to follow all company policies and procedures with regards to Health & Safety. A worker shall work in compliance with the provisions of this Act and the regulations; use or wear the equipment, protective devices, or clothing that the worker's employer requires to be used or worn. A worker must report to their employer or supervisor the absence of or defect in any equipment or protective devices of which the worker is aware and which may endanger himself, herself, or another worker; and report to their employer or supervisor any contravention of this act or the regulations or the existence of any hazard of which he or she knows. No worker shall remove or make ineffective any protective device required by the regulations or by their employer, without providing adequate temporary protective device and when the need for removing or making ineffective the protective device has ceased, the protective device shall be replaced immediately; use or operate any equipment, machine, device or thing or work in a manner that may endanger themselves or any other worker; or engage in any prank, contest, feat of strength, unnecessary running or rough and boisterous conduct. A worker

is not required to participate in a prescribed medical surveillance program unless the worker consents to do so. (OHSA Sec. 27) HOW TO APPLY If you think your experience and career aspirations are aligned with this opportunity – please send your cover letter and resume to hiring@firstontariopac.ca with the subject title “Head of Programming and Participation”. The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre is an equal-opportunity employer, and we believe that our organization is stronger when we have a team that reflects our region’s diversity. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and will consider accessibility accommodations to applicants upon request.

mailto:hiring@firstontariopac.ca

HOW TO APPLY
If you think your experience and career aspirations are aligned with this opportunity – please send your cover letter and resume to hiring@firstontariopac.ca with the subject title “Head of Programming and Participation”.

The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre is an equal-opportunity employer, and we believe that our organization is stronger when we have a team that reflects our region’s diversity.

We encourage applications from all qualified individuals and will consider accessibility accommodations to applicants upon request.