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The City of Markham is consistently ranked among Canada’s top municipal employers. In 2026, the City received its sixth consecutive Canada’s Best Employers recognition from Forbes and Statista Inc., placing third among municipalities and 15th overall in Government Services. An award winning municipality, Markham is recognized for its leadership in sustainability, innovative urban planning, and strong fiscal management. Serving a diverse and growing community of more than 370,000 residents, Markham combines rich heritage with a vibrant local economy and offers employees the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, impactful work that helps strengthen the community we serve.

Please submit your resume and cover letter outlining your interest in the position and relevant experience through the City of Markham’s Job Portal [https://www.markham.ca/about-city-markham/employment/view-jobs-and-apply-now] by April 12, 2026.

Community Outreach and Cultural Events Coordinator (YCW Summer Student)

About Us

The Varley Art Gallery of Markham celebrates the legacy of Canadian art, engages the community through innovative programming, and inspires audiences of all ages to connect with art. With free admission year-round, we strive to make art accessible to everyone. From gallery tours to workshops, festivals, and hands-on programs, our team brings creativity and cultural engagement to life in the community.

Why Work With Us?

- Be part of a vibrant, professional, and creative team in a welcoming gallery environment.
- Work hands-on with contemporary artists, educators, and volunteers to bring art into the community.
- Gain experience coordinating large-scale festivals, community events, and gallery programs.
- Learn professional skills across multiple departments, including education, marketing, volunteer management, and curatorial.
- Develop your network in the Canadian cultural sector, working alongside artists, municipal staff, and community partners.

Note: This position is funded through the Young Canada Works program. Candidates must be:

- Canadian citizens, permanent residents, or refugees
- Full-time post-secondary students during the term of employment
- Within the YCW age eligibility requirements
- Able to commit to the full duration of the placement
- Must be available to work evenings and weekends

Position Summary





The Community Outreach and Cultural Events Coordinator will support the Varley Art Gallery’s summer programming by coordinating and delivering activities which promote the gallery at community events, and festivals. This hands-on placement provides meaningful experience for post-secondary students pursuing studies in arts administration, visual arts, education, or related fields, offering practical exposure to the cultural sector while building transferable skills in program delivery, community engagement, and arts administration.

Location: Varley Art Gallery of Markham, 216 Main Street Unionville, ON

Duration: May 11, 2026 to August 31, 2026 (16 weeks)

Hours: 37.5 hours/week, including evenings and weekends

Tasks and Responsibilities:
Reporting to the Development Officer, the Project Coordinator will support the overall implementation of technology projects from conception to completion and for managing the different phases of the project. Working within the stipulated budget and project timelines, the incumbent will work closely with both the Varley-McKay Art Foundation of Markham and the Varley Art Gallery of Markham teams to develop a technology roadmap for modernizing the gallery, improving client engagement and visitor experience, and improving fundraising. These results will assist the gallery in upgrading its operations, increasing its revenue potential and support the long-term sustainability of the organization.

Key Responsibilities

- Plan, coordinate, and deliver outreach activities at major festivals and community events (e.g., Taste of Asia, Milliken-Markham Children’s Festival, Unionville Festival, Markham Jazz Festival, Markham Honda Indy etc.).
- Collaborate with the Communications Specialist to create promotional materials, and document events through photography, video, and social media.
- Support the Volunteer Coordinator in training, and supervising volunteers
- Conduct research to develop innovative community engagement strategies linked to current exhibitions.
- Develop program plans, curricula, and materials in alignment with gallery objectives and exhibition themes.




- Track attendance, collect participant feedback, and contribute to evaluation and reporting of programs.
- Work with internal teams and community partners to enhance the gallery’s presence and profile in the community.
- Ensure safe and positive visitor experiences by following gallery and City of Markham policies, procedures, and health and safety guidelines.

Requirements:

- Is currently enrolled in post-secondary studies in arts administration, museum studies, visual arts, art education, or a related field.
- Relevant experience in IT project management, business management, arts administration, museum studies or a related field
- Have good knowledge of and keen interest in museums/galleries, fundraising and donor practices
- Demonstrates initiative, adaptability, and professionalism.
- Has basic digital literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, email, shared drives, and social media platforms
- Basic knowledge of website development
- Have a proven ability to communicate effectively in English with strong communication skills (written, oral & interpersonal)
- Is comfortable engaging the public, including children, families, and diverse community groups.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision, independently and as part of a cooperative team as well
- Values diversity, equity, and inclusion in a workplace and community setting.
- Candidate must be able to handle heavy materials and lift up to 60 lbs as part of the job requirements..
- Candidate must hold a valid driver’s license and have access to a vehicle, as this is an essential requirement of the role.
- Clear and valid Police Vulnerable Sector Check
- Assets (not required): Experience with event coordination, art-making, photography, or community programming.

The City of Markham is committed to inclusive, accessible and barrier free employment practices and to creating a workplace that reflects and supports the diversity of the community we serve. Please let us know if you require an accommodation and we will work with you to ensure a barrier free hiring process.

AI Disclosure:

At the City of Markham, we value transparency and fairness in recruitment. While our system (ADP Workforce Now) includes AI-powered features, we do not use AI to screen, assess, or select applicants. All evaluations are conducted by people.

Vacancy:

Temporary Seasonal Vacancy

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📌 Community Outreach & Cultural Events Coordinator- Summer Student (Markham)
🏢 City of Markham
📍 Markham