Xenia Concerts is hiring an Accessibility Coordinator on a one-year contract starting in April 2023. Please spread the word to qualified applicants who might be interested! The full job posting is below, and you can download an accessible PDF version here:

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Position Summary

Type of employment: Part-time contract (employee)

Application Deadline: Friday March 10, 2023

Start Date: Tuesday April 11, 2023

Position Type: One-year Contract

Time Commitment: 20 hours per week

Compensation: $31,200 per annum

Benefits: A competitive benefits package will be offered to the successful candidate

How to apply: Send your CV and cover letter to evan.lamberton@xeniaconcerts.com

Accommodations

As an equal opportunity employer, Xenia Concerts is committed to establishing a qualified workforce that is reflective of the diverse population it serves. Xenia Concerts offers employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario’s Human Rights Code. If you require accommodation, please notify us in your cover letter.

Job Description

Xenia Concerts is seeking an accessibility coordinator to update and implement the organization’s accessibility practices and develop our Accessibility Accelerator and ASD Youth Advisory Council programs. 

The ideal candidate will have:

• An excellent understanding of current accessibility practices, including web accessibility and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)
• A good understanding of, and/or experience with, community consultation and inclusive co-design methods
• An understanding of artistic development processes and production in the performing arts, especially music
• A strong desire to improve accessibility in the arts for neurodivergent and disabled individuals/individuals with disabilities

The Accessibility Coordinator will work closely with the Executive and Artistic Director of Xenia Concerts to design and execute inclusive co-design workshops, synthesize learnings, design and implement improved accessibility practices, and develop accessibility resources for the organization. This is a one-year part-time contract with the potential for extension.

The Accessibility Coordinator’s role includes

Community Consultation

• Build and manage a diverse panel of 4-6 paid advisors who have lived experience with disability and/or neurodiversity and knowledge of the performing arts
• Design and execute inclusive co-design workshops with panelists to make recommendations for how Xenia Concerts can improve the accessibility of its programming for neurodivergent and disabled individuals, their families, and care workers
• Assist the Executive and Artistic Director and external consultants to plan and execute a series of inclusive co-design sessions for a panel of Autistic youth and young adults

Programming Development

• Synthesize learnings from co-design sessions to make design recommendations for how to make Xenia Concerts more inclusive and accessible for the neurodiversity and disability communities
• Implement recommendations to improve the accessibility of Xenia Concerts’ website, marketing materials, accessibility support materials, concert programs, and other public-facing materials

Curriculum Development

• Informed by the community consultation process, work with the Executive and Artistic Director to develop new training modules for the Xenia Concerts Artist Training Program
• Develop accessibility training resources for Xenia Concerts artists, presenting partners, and other stakeholders in the music community

Staff and Artist Support

• Help foster a neurodiversity- and disability-friendly work environment for Xenia Concerts staff, artists, partners, and Board members
• Support the Executive and Artistic Director and Board of Directors in developing accessibility policies and practices for Xenia Concerts
• Help the Executive and Artistic Director develop strategies for recruiting, supporting, and featuring neurodivergent and disabled musicians on the Xenia Concerts stage

About the Organization

Co-founded by the members of the JUNO-nominated Cecilia String Quartet and now in its eighth year, Xenia Concerts Inc. is a registered charity that works with the neurodiversity and disability communities to design, produce, and present exceptional performing arts experiences for children, their families, and others within those communities who face systemic and social barriers to inclusion. The organization is best known for the creation and ongoing direction of a sensory-friendly concert series at Meridian Hall in Toronto that welcomes neurodiverse audiences—especially children and families—to enjoy live music in an accessible and inclusive environment. Featured artists have included internationally acclaimed Canadian musicians such as Ensemble Made in Canada, the Rolston String Quartet, Moskitto Bar, and Ladom Ensemble. Xenia also works with the Alzheimer Society of Toronto and Baycrest Centre to design and deliver dementia-friendly programming to older adults, in person and online. In addition to its core sensory-friendly concert series – which is now also broadcast online to audiences across Canada – Xenia now works with partners throughout Ontario, Alberta, and Nova Scotia to present sensory-friendly concerts to new audiences; to train artists to deliver accessible programming; and to engage with the neurodiversity and disability communities in artistic co-creation projects.

Values of the organization include:

• Enrichment – Xenia Concerts Inc. understands that music, the arts, and the opportunity to express oneself artistically improves the quality of life of all people.
• Inclusion – Xenia Concerts Inc. believes that all persons have the right to experience, create, and otherwise express themselves through artistic endeavours.
• Excellence – Xenia Concerts Inc. creates and presents programs, concerts, and other artistic productions of high professional quality.
• Inspiration – Xenia Concerts Inc. seeks to inspire creators, artists, and audiences through arts experiences.
• Community – Xenia Concerts Inc. promotes and nurtures social development and creates community cohesion through accessible and inclusive artistic events.
• Sustainability – Xenia Concerts Inc. achieves its mission and vision through adherence to its values while always being fiscally responsible.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send their CV and a brief cover letter to Artistic Administrator Evan Lamberton at evan.lamberton@xeniaconcerts.com. The names and contact information on your CV and cover letter will be anonymized before being reviewed by the hiring committee. We encourage applications from all qualified individuals; however, only those under consideration will be contacted.