Visual Arts Nova Scotia is seeking a creative and detail-oriented Community Outreach and Social Media Coordinator to join our team. The ideal candidate will have a passion for connecting with communities in many creative ways and an enthusiasm for social media and digital marketing, with a keen eye for trends and content creation.  You will work closely with the staff at Visual Arts Nova Scotia and Visual Arts News to attend art events, enhance our online presence, and engage with our community across various platforms and in person. The two elements of this role, community outreach and social media, will have equal weight in terms of the time, effort, and energy dedicated to them. We prioritize equity, sustainability and connection in all that we do, and we’re seeking someone to fill this role with those values in mind.

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Community Outreach and Social Media Coordinator will represent VANS and Visual Arts News at art events, gallery openings, artist talks, festivals and other events around the province.  They will make connections with artists and communities. They will lead VANS’ social media and community engagement strategies to promote our mission to support Nova Scotian artists through education, connection and advocacy. The successful candidate will work alongside the VANS team and Board of Directors to identify new ways to engage the community and manage the VANS social media marketing initiatives.

This role, as all of VANS’ work, is guided by our vision, mission, and our values of Equity, Sustainability, and Connection.

EQUITY

• Work with VANS staff to identify gaps in our outreach strategies and propose initiatives to address them.
• Connect with artists and members outside of HRM to increase our support to artists across the province.
• Help VANS staff and Board forge and maintain partnerships with community organizations that serve equity-deserving populations in Nova Scotia (including Mi’kmaw and other Indigenous artists, Black and African Nova Scotian artists, 2SLGBTQIA+ artists, and artists living with disabilities).

SUSTAINABILITY

• Maintain connections with artists, arts organizations, and communities that VANS has forged over the years while making a concerted effort to reach out to artists and communities who aren’t yet connected to VANS.
• Plan and execute social media campaigns to drive brand awareness and increase member engagement and loyalty.
• Routinely analyze the performance of social media channels and edit content, timing, and moderation strategies and tactics to optimize engagement and deliver content that best speaks to audiences.
• Be proactive in looking out for social media trends and changes in algorithms, updates, optimizations etc., to always maximize our efforts and performance.
• Work with the VANS team to develop a thoughtful and strategic content plan for all social channels (Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn) with a goal to engage, create conversation, and grow audiences and meet objectives.

CONNECTION

• Represent and promote VANS and Visual Arts News at art events around the province.
• Help plan events and programs including but not limited to live streams and social media takeovers that aim to foster a sense of community within our membership.
• Be the liaison between member organizations and help promote their events/opportunities on our channels.
• Create engaging and visually appealing content for our social media platforms, including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
• Respond and engage with followers, comments, and messages in a timely and professional manner.
• Monitor and respond to online reviews and maintain our online reputation.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

The ideal candidate will have: 

• 1 – 3 years of experience in a marketing or outreach role. A degree or diploma in a related field would be an asset. 
• Proven social media content creation experience.
• Strong communication skills to engage with artists, arts organizations, and community groups.
• Excellent skill in written communication with keen attention to detail. 
• The ability to work well independently and as part of a team.   
• Experience with digital marketing and social media software such as Canva, CapCut, SocialPilot (or similar software) will be an asset.
• A valid driver’s license and the ability to travel to outreach events throughout the province.
• An amiable disposition, a desire to connect with and support artists, and a love for the arts community of Nova Scotia.
• Demonstrated personal initiative and effective planning, analytical, and organizational skills.

WHAT WE OFFER

VANS operates on a 4-day work week (Monday – Thursday) with a hybrid/remote setup, giving you more time for what matters outside of work. Our office is in Kjipuktuk/ Halifax and you are able to work there as you please, or have the flexibility of working from home.  Alongside your two weeks of regular vacation, we offer two additional paid 2-week office closures: one in December/ January and the other in July/ August. We offer health benefits and our premiums are 50/50 cost shared. We allocate funds and time for professional development and staff connection.

Our small team is hardworking, pragmatic, supportive and are all deeply invested in the success of artists. The current staff includes our Executive Director (full time), Programming Coordinator (full time), the PAINTS Coordinator(20hrs/week) as well as contract staff, including a part-time Magazine Publisher, and Editor. VANS‘ staff and Board regularly participate in anti-oppression training and our core values include equity, sustainability, and connection. We value thoughtfulness, flexibility, and a sense of humour and regularly check in with one another.

Application deadline: Friday, September 19, 2025 (11:59pm)

Start date: October 6, 2025 

Compensation: $25.00 per hour plus benefit options, renewable two-year contract (based on funding)

Hours: 20 hours per week (part-time hours, division of hours over week is flexible)

Location: Halifax office, remote or hybrid work is possible. Must be available to attend events throughout the province.

How to apply: Please submit a cover letter and CV/resume by email to hiring@visualarts.ns.ca by 11:59 pm on Friday, September 19, 2025. If this presents a barrier to your application, please contact us by email or phone to arrange accommodations.

We are committed to employment equity, and we will prioritize applications from those who self-identify in their application as Indigenous Peoples, Black, Persons of the Global Majority, racialized, 2SLGBTQIA+, newcomers to Canada and/or Persons with Disabilities. If you are a member of a group that has been historically excluded from opportunities, we encourage you to self-identify in your cover letter or resume and to share your pronouns. We are committed to accommodating those with disabilities at any stage of the hiring process. Information related to accommodation measures will be treated in confidence.

We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted starting on September 25, 2025.  

ABOUT VISUAL ARTS NOVA SCOTIA

Visual Arts Nova Scotia (VANS) is a registered charity founded by artists for artists in 1976 to support, promote, and advocate for the visual arts sector in Nova Scotia. We believe in a future where a career as an artist is accessible, sustainable, and recognized as an integral part of our communities. VANS supports artists through education, connection and advocacy. We operate across Mi’kma’ki, the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the L’nu people, also known as Nova Scotia. We prioritize artist-to-artist learning through workshops, mentorship, and sharing information about meaningful opportunities.

VANS advocates for artists by listening to their concerns, speaking up for their needs, and creating platforms to share their work. Recognizing that equity-deserving artists face additional barriers to a career in the arts, we work to make resources accessible to artists across the province, while prioritizing support for those who are impacted by systemic oppression.