The District of Oak Bay is pleased to invite applications for the volunteer position of Arts Laureate. The successful applicant will have a body of artistic and/or community work that demonstrates the creation of connections between the community and the arts. Candidates for Oak Bay’s next Arts Laureate will be considered from all art disciplines. Applicants are invited to propose how they would effectively engage the residents of Oak Bay through the arts.  

Roles and Responsibilities  

The District of Oak Bay’s Arts Laureate acts as an arts and culture ambassador and community arts liaison. The Arts Laureate will work to raise the profile of Oak Bay’s vibrant artistic community and to be an advocate for the arts in Oak Bay; to celebrate the richness and diversity of the culture of the community, and to represent the artistic voice of Oak Bay.  

As an arts and culture ambassador and arts community liaison in Oak Bay, the Arts Laureate’s roles and responsibilities include: 

• Collaborating with Staff on the development and implementation of Council-endorsed arts and culture initiatives, projects and events, including attending, promoting and providing hosting-related support as requested; 
• Working in partnership with Staff to develop initiatives and events that promote artists, and/or facilitate opportunities for artists, with a focus on but not exclusive to local, Oak Bay artists; 
• Providing input to Staff on the annual Arts Alive program (or future version thereof), including the development of calls for artist proposals, participating in the jurying of submitted artwork and recommending artwork and placement for display in the public realm;  
• Providing advice and expertise to Council and/or the Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee (PRCAC) on matters referred, including municipal public art strategies, projects, policies and programs; 
• Acting as an advisory resource to Council as requested on specific arts-related issues, such as proposed gifts, donations, bequests, de-accessions, and loans of artwork to the Municipal collection. 
• Collaborating with Staff to seek out sponsorships and partnerships for the annual ArtsAlive program and/or other arts initiatives for Council’s consideration; 
• Providing regular Arts Laureate activity updates to the PRCAC and proposing an annual workplan to Council for approval. 
• The Arts Laureate can expect to spend an average of approximately 10-20 hours on Arts Laureate projects along with attending PRCAC meetings to provide activity updates. Some months may be busier than others, depending on the projects, initiatives and/or events that are underway. Oak Bay’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee will typically meet quarterly subject to there being business to discuss. Pursuant to the Committee and Commission Policy, there are no Committee meetings in August and during a local government election year there is no meeting held in the month of the municipal election. 

Term and Support 

The initial term of appointment is expected to begin in September 2022 and will expire December 31, 2024. As with all other advisory body volunteers, the Arts Laureate serves on a volunteer basis without remuneration; however, Arts Laureate projects may be proposed to Council for approval/funding as part of an Annual Work Plan. The Arts Laureate will work closely with, and be supported by, the Manager of Parks, Recreation and Culture, the Arts and Culture Programmer and Parks, Recreation and Culture Advisory Committee. 

Eligibility 

It is an asset for applicants to reside in the District of Oak Bay however, applications from outside the District are welcome. Applications will be assessed by Council based on the information submitted by the applicants.  

To apply, please submit the following: 

• Letter of introduction (1-2 pages maximum) including a broad vision of how, if appointed to the role of Arts Laureate, the applicant would work to enhance arts and culture in Oak Bay; 

• Resume / Curriculum Vitae including highlights of creative works from the last five (5) years, history of contributions to community arts and culture (preferably in Oak Bay, but not required) and demonstrated ability to engage collaboratively with a variety of different populations; and, 

• Short biographical note of approximately 250 words that may be used for public circulation if the applicant is appointed to the position of Arts Laureate. 

Applications must be received by 4:30pm on Friday, June 10, 2022. 

• By email: administration@oakbay.ca 
• By mail or hand delivered (in the drop box at the front entrance) to the District of Oak Bay Municipal Hall, 2167 Oak Bay Avenue, Victoria, BC   V8R 1G2