Xenia Concerts is seeking a Director of Artistic Programming to provide artistic leadership for our Adaptive Concert series and related artistic initiatives.

This is an opportunity for an experienced arts professional to help shape the artistic future of a growing charitable organization working at the intersection of artistic excellence, accessibility, disability inclusion, and neuro-inclusion. The Director of Artistic Programming will lead artistic planning and curation, build relationships with exceptional artists and presenting partners, and help Xenia bring accessible and inclusive performing arts experiences to communities across Canada.

We are looking for someone who believes that accessibility and artistic excellence strengthen one another and who is excited by the opportunity to develop ambitious, culturally diverse, audience-centred musical programming in collaboration with artists, communities, and colleagues.

About Xenia Concerts

Co-founded by members of the JUNO-nominated Cecilia String Quartet and now in its twelfth year, Xenia Concerts is a registered charity that works with neurodiversity and disability communities to design, produce, and present exceptional performing arts experiences for children, families, and others who face systemic and social barriers to inclusion.

Xenia is best known for its Adaptive Concerts, which welcome and support neurodivergent, Deaf, and disabled attendees, as well as others who benefit from inclusive and accessible concert environments. Featured artists have included acclaimed musicians and ensembles such as the Thalea String Quartet, Ladom Ensemble, WindSync, The Queer Songbook Orchestra, Mattmac, and ASD Band.

In addition to presenting Adaptive Concerts, Xenia works with partners across Canada to bring accessible performances to new communities; provide accessibility training, consulting, and workshops to artists and presenters; and co-create educational and artistic projects with neurodivergent and disabled artists and community members.

Xenia’s work is grounded in the belief that access to the arts is a human right. 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.

About the Position

The Director of Artistic Programming provides artistic leadership for Xenia Concerts’ Adaptive Concert series and related artistic initiatives.

Working in alignment with the organization’s artistic and strategic direction, the Director leads artistic planning, artist engagement, artistic partnerships, and inclusive program development. They will help ensure that Xenia’s programming reflects our commitments to artistic excellence, accessibility, cultural diversity, disability inclusion, and neuro-inclusion.

The Director serves as Xenia’s primary artistic contact for participating artists and presenters and will play a central role in shaping the organization’s artistic growth as Xenia expands both the number and geographic reach of its programs.

The Director of Artistic Programming reports to the Executive Director. 

Functional relationships include working closely with Xenia’s Accessibility Coordinator, who advises on accessibility-related aspects of artistic programming; and with the Managing Director to coordinate Xenia’s artistic activity with operational goals and processes.

Key Responsibilities

Artistic Leadership and Curation

• Lead artistic planning and curation for Xenia’s Adaptive Concert series in alignment with the organization’s artistic and strategic direction.
• Develop annual and multi-season musical programming plans.
• Identify artists, projects, artistic approaches, and programming opportunities that advance Xenia’s mission and organizational goals.
• Help guide the growth of Xenia’s programming from approximately 35–40 concerts annually to 45–50 concerts annually by 2030.

Artist Recruitment and Relationship Management

• Identify, recruit, and engage professional artists and ensembles.
• Serve as the primary artistic contact for participating artists.
• Lead artistic onboarding processes.
• Support artists as they develop performances for Xenia’s accessible and inclusive concert environments.
• Build long-term relationships with artists whose work and practices align with Xenia’s artistic vision and values.

Artistic Partnerships

• Develop and maintain relationships with presenters and artistic partners.
• Identify opportunities for artistic collaboration, co-presentation, and program growth.
• Support the continued expansion of Xenia’s presenting partnerships outside Ontario.

Equity and Inclusive Artistic Practice

• Advance Xenia’s commitment to accessible, culturally diverse, neuro-inclusive, and disability-inclusive artistic programming.
• Collaborate closely with the Accessibility Coordinator to identify and address accessibility considerations throughout artistic planning and program delivery.
• Cultivate relationships with artists from equity-deserving communities.
• Support meaningful participation and artistic leadership by disabled, D/deaf, and neurodivergent artists.
• Help ensure that Xenia’s programming reflects a broad range of artistic traditions, cultural perspectives, identities, and lived experiences.

Leadership and Organizational Development

• Participate in organizational planning and leadership discussions.
• Contribute artistic information and expertise to grant applications, reports, fundraising initiatives, and other organizational communications.
• Support artistic evaluation and long-term organizational planning.

Required Qualifications

We recognize that excellent candidates may arrive at this work through many different professional and lived experiences. We encourage applicants to consider the overall requirements of the position rather than assuming that they must have followed one particular career path.

The successful candidate will bring:

• Demonstrated experience in musical programming, artistic administration, presenting, or a related leadership role within the performing arts.
• Strong knowledge of the Canadian performing arts landscape.
• Experience building and maintaining collaborative relationships with professional performing artists, ensembles, presenters, arts organizations, funders, and other sector partners.
• A demonstrated commitment to accessibility, disability inclusion, neuro-inclusion, equity, diversity, and culturally inclusive artistic practice.
• Experience working collaboratively with artists and communities from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
• Strong leadership, project-management, and organizational skills, including the ability to supervise staff and artists, manage multiple priorities, and work independently in a remote environment.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent Xenia professionally and build productive relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English.
• The ability to travel within the Greater Toronto Area, Ontario, and occasionally elsewhere in Canada.
• Availability for occasional evening and weekend concerts, events, and organizational activities.

Applicants must be legally entitled to work in Canada at the time of application and throughout their employment.

Preferred Qualifications

The following experience and qualifications would be particularly valuable in this position:

• Lived experience of disability, Deafness, neurodivergence, or other equity-deserving identities, or demonstrated experience working alongside these communities.
• Established relationships within the Canadian performing arts sector, particularly among artists, presenters, and accessibility-focused organizations.
• Experience programming or presenting accessible, community-engaged, or audience-centred artistic work.
• Experience contributing to grant applications, reports, fundraising initiatives, or organizational planning.
• Professional proficiency in French.
• A valid driver’s license and access to reliable transportation.

Compensation and Working Conditions

This is a permanent, part-time employee position averaging 20 hours per week.

The annual salary is $37,500, with extended health benefits, paid sick leave, and personal days.

The position is primarily remote, with attendance required at concerts, events, meetings, and organizational activities as needed. Preference will be given to candidates based in the Greater Toronto Area.

Xenia employees are responsible for maintaining a suitable home office for remote work.

Evening and weekend work will occasionally be required. Travel may be required within Ontario and elsewhere in Canada to support organizational activities, partnerships, and events. Approved business travel expenses will be reimbursed in accordance with organizational policies.

Equity and Accessibility

Xenia Concerts is committed to improving equity both within our organization and across the performing arts sector. We encourage applications from people from all equity-deserving communities, including, but not limited to, people who identify as neurodivergent, Deaf or disabled, Black, Indigenous, or people of colour. We recognize that both lived and learned experiences can contribute meaningfully to success in this role.

At all levels of the organization, Xenia Concerts promotes equal opportunity, fair treatment, and the identification and removal of barriers to participation and employment.

Xenia is also committed to making our recruitment and interview process as accessible as possible. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to:

• ASL interpretation;
• receiving interview questions in advance;
• closed captioning;
• adjustments to the pace or format of an interview; and
• other accommodations identified in consultation with the applicant.

Applicants may request accommodations directly through the application form or by contacting Kalyce Carter, Accessibility Coordinator, at kalyce.carter@xeniaconcerts.com.

Accommodation requests will not negatively affect an applicant’s candidacy.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, September 30, 2026 using Xenia Concerts’ online application form:

Applicants are asked to submit:

• • A cover letter OR a one- to two-minute audio or video recording explaining why you are interested in the Director of Artistic Programming position and why you believe you would be a good fit for the role
  • A current CV
  • Two professional references

The desired start date for this position is Monday, November 2, 2026.

The season opens on Saturday, September 19, 2026, at Meridian Arts Centre in North York with Chris McKhool’s FiddleFire. This energetic, interactive performance invites audience members to dance, clap, sing, and even join the musicians on stage while exploring musical traditions from around the world. Filled with music, and audience participation, FiddleFire sets the stage for a season celebrating creativity, connection, and the joy of experiencing live music together.

What to Expect at Xenia Concerts

Every Xenia Concerts performance is designed to create a welcoming environment where audiences can experience live music in ways that work for them. All expressions are welcome! Audience members are free to make noise, get up, move, or stim throughout the performance.

Accessibility supports available at our events include:

• Wheelchair-accessible venues and gender-neutral washrooms
• A Venue Guide to help audiences prepare for their visit
• Accessible e-programs sent before the event
• Sensory supports, including noise-cancelling earmuffs, weighted pillows, balance pillows, and fidgets (please bring your own if you can)
• Flexible seating and a separate area for breaks
• Stretch breaks and freedom of movement
• A visual schedule presented as a slide deck
• Auto-generated closed captions

This season, Xenia Concerts is also partnering with One Health Partners to bring additional support to select events. Therapy dogs will be present at some performances, offering audiences another opportunity for comfort and connection.

A Season of Musical Discovery

Presented in partnership with TO Live, performances at Meridian Arts Centre continue throughout the season with the internationally acclaimed Duo Concertante, whose expressive performances and commitment to Canadian music have captivated audiences for more than two decades. Also presented at Meridian Arts Centre during Doors Open Toronto is the Medusa Quartet, whose bold fusion of folk traditions and string quartet repertoire invites audiences to rethink what a string quartet can be.

Meridian Hall in downtown Toronto will welcome audiences for Alyssa Katrine’s Mâmawin’towin: A Métis Kitchen Party, an uplifting celebration of Métis music and storytelling; the exhilarating contemporary jazz of the Jeremy Ledbetter Trio; the vibrant multicultural percussion and song of Majoko; and the theatrical artistry of Infusion Baroque, whose imaginative performances on historical instruments bring early music vividly to life.

At the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga, presented in partnership with saugaLIVE, audiences will experience pianist Charlotte Tang’s The Drawing Room, performing on a historic fortepiano in an immersive journey through nineteenth-century music; Chris McKhool’s Celebrate! Holidays of the Global Village, an interactive exploration of holidays and traditions from around the world; Payadora Tango Ensemble with storyteller Tom Allen, presenting the multimedia production The Legend of Carau; and the jazz-infused Latin American music of Eliana Cuevas and Jeremy Ledbetter, celebrating the musical traditions of Venezuela.

Presented in partnership with Flato Markham Theatre, performances in Markham feature the genre-crossing Ladom Ensemble, blending chamber music with tango, folk, and world traditions, alongside the return of Majoko, whose joyful celebration of percussion, rhythm, and song has become a favourite with Xenia audiences.

Xenia Concerts also continues its partnership with the Canadian Opera Company’s Free Concert Series at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre in the Four Seasons Centre. This year’s performances include the award-winning Myriade Quartet, the imaginative collaboration Ten Thousand Kazoos featuring Thalea Quartet and Trevor Copp, and the cinematic improvisations of Civil Lizard, offering audiences engaging and immersive musical experiences in a relaxed environment.

From classical, jazz, folk, and early music to world music, tango, Métis storytelling, multicultural celebrations, and interactive family performances, this season is thoughtfully designed to offer something for every audience member.

We look forward to welcoming audiences throughout the season! Visit the upcoming events section of our website to explore the full season and book your tickets.

FUNDERS & PARTNERS

We’re thrilled to welcome you to The Accessibility Accelerator Podcast, a new series from Xenia Concerts hosted by Kalyce Carter, Accessibility Coordinator. This podcast celebrates the brilliance of disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent artists and arts workers while exploring how accessibility can transform the ways we create, produce, learn, and experience the arts.

This series is the result of the Accessibility Accelerator Program, a project that began in October 2023 with a simple but important belief: while organizations can develop expertise in accessibility, our understanding becomes richer, more meaningful, and more impactful when it is shaped alongside people with lived experience. Through an in depth co-design process, six disabled, chronically ill, and neurodivergent artists, arts workers, and disability advocates shared their knowledge, creativity, and lived expertise, fundamentally influencing how Xenia Concerts understands, practices, and continues to evolve accessibility within our adaptive concert model.

The conversations that emerged throughout this process were too meaningful to keep within the project alone. The Accessibility Accelerator Podcast was created to share these reflections more broadly, offering listeners an opportunity to engage with the ideas, challenges, and possibilities that arise through collective learning and collaboration.

Across this season, you’ll experience conversations about accessible arts production, disability arts, music education, community care, and the importance of creating arts spaces where disabled, chronically ill, neurodivergent, and immunocompromised artists, audiences, and arts workers can fully participate and thrive. At its heart, this podcast is an invitation to question assumptions, embrace disability wisdom, and imagine more accessible futures where creativity, care, and disability justice are woven into every aspect of the arts. 

We’re so glad you’re here to learn more about Adaptive Concerts and accessible musical programming. By reading this series of blog posts, and perhaps even planning your own Adaptive Concert, you’re joining a growing movement of artists, producers, and concert presenters who are putting accessibility at the heart of live performance. Together, we’re finding creative and meaningful ways to reach new audiences and make music more inclusive for everyone. We want to help you improve the accessibility at your events, whether you’re running a series of relaxed or Adaptive Concerts or you just want to start making small improvements to the accessibility of your programming. Our goal is to make the process of designing and presenting accessible concerts as smooth, inspiring, and enjoyable as possible for you, your audiences, and the artists you collaborate with.

What Are Adaptive Concerts?

Adaptive Concerts are family-friendly musical events designed to meet the diverse accessibility needs of as many people as possible. These concerts take place in a welcoming, judgment-free environment where everyone is encouraged to engage with the performance in their own way. Think of it as a “choose your own adventure” concert experience—audience members have the freedom to decide how they want to enjoy the music. Whether that means moving around, vocalizing, using sensory supports, or simply sitting back and listening, everyone is welcome to participate on their own terms. Adaptive Concerts also often include additional accessibility supports, including ASL (both spoken and musical), sensory support items, accessible web-based resources, supports for Blind and partially sighted attendees, and adaptations to musical programming, audience engagement, and communication. We’ll cover these topics in more detail in future posts. 

A Brief History of Accessible Concert Design in Canada

The story of Adaptive Concerts in Canada begins with Xenia Concerts, founded in 2014 by the Cecilia Quartet. The group was inspired by their experience performing at an autism-friendly concert with Azure Concerts in California. That experience sparked a vision: to bring similar concerts to Canada and offer families in the autism community the same access to high-quality live music that other audiences enjoy.

After a year of thoughtful consultation with people with lived experience, caregivers, and healthcare experts, Xenia launched the first Canadian concert series dedicated primarily to the needs and tastes of autistic attendees. The response was overwhelmingly positive—and the demand has only grown since. Today, Xenia Concerts presents 30–35 Adaptive Concerts every year in communities across Canada, and we’ve expanded our approach to accommodate a broader spectrum of needs for Deaf, disabled, and neurodivergent attendees. Inspired by this model, several other organizations have started their own Adaptive Concert series, including Chamberfest in Ottawa, Cecilia Concerts in Halifax, and Honens in Calgary. Relaxed Performances (similar to Adaptive Concerts in many ways) and accessibility-centred programs are also proliferating through the efforts of many organizations, including the Toronto Symphony Orchestra, l’Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal, the National Ballet of Canada, and The National Arts Centre Orchestra. Together, these organizations are working towards a national culture of greater inclusion in live music.

From “Sensory-Friendly” to “Adaptive”

You might have heard the term “sensory-friendly concerts.” Xenia used this term from 2014 to 2022, and many organizations still use it today. The sensory-friendly movement began as a way to make performances more accessible for neurodiverse audiences—particularly within the autism community—by addressing diverse sensory needs.

However, as the field evolved, so did the understanding of accessibility. The term “Adaptive Concert” was coined by Dr. Erin Parkes, founder and Executive Director of The Lotus Centre, to reflect a broader vision of inclusion and to convey the importance of adaptability, both in the approach to concert design and at the events themselves. Accessibility, after all, is not limited to sensory experiences, and no concert can truly be “friendly” to everyone’s individual sensory preferences. An “adaptive” concert, however, can meet a variety of sensory, physical, and communication-related needs while providing opportunities for attendees to meet their own needs within the concert space. The language will likely continue to evolve, but the term “Adaptive Concert” encapsulates our current approach well.

The Evolution of Accessible Concert Design

Today’s accessible concert design takes a holistic approach, considering not just sensory needs but also physical, socio-cultural, geographical, age-related, and communication-related factors. Organizations like Xenia Concerts are continually experimenting with new ways to address unmet access needs through community engagement and iterative design.

At the heart of this evolution is one simple principle: choice. Adaptive Concerts are about giving audiences the freedom to decide how they want to participate—to choose for themselves what accessibility means in each moment. That’s why we call them adaptive: they adapt to each person’s needs, from individual to individual, and even from moment to moment during the performance.

Looking Ahead

Xenia Concerts is just one part of a larger movement toward accessibility in the arts. Many organizations—both longstanding and new—are now making inclusion a priority, and accessibility conversations are becoming more central in creative spaces across the country.

We’ve made great progress, but there’s still work to be done. With each new Adaptive Concert, we’re expanding our circle of inclusion and discovering new ways to make music a truly universal experience.

Stay tuned for the next post in this series, where we’ll start to explore how to design your own Adaptive Concert and make your events more inclusive!

This innovative research tackles a vital question: How can performing arts organizations better engage neurodivergent and disabled audiences in sharing their experiences? Traditional feedback methods often overlook the voices of children and youth with disabilities. In response, Xenia Concerts and CERC-HECW piloted creative, accessible alternatives—including interactive card-sorting activities, collaborative storyboards, and interview booths—during Xenia’s Adaptive concerts in 2024.

The study’s findings highlight how adaptive feedback tools not only capture richer insights but also foster agency, belonging, and joy for participants. The research marks an important step toward inclusive, participant-centered arts programming.

You can explore the full report by clicking this link: LINK TO STUDY

Researchers/Authors:

Danielle Licorish
Temba Middelmann
Eshtar Taha
Rory McLeod

Funders/Supporters

We’ve got big news at Xenia Concerts. After two and a half years of piloting our Artist Training Program with over 100 artists, we are now ready to offer it to musicians around the world!

We started this project for one simple reason: they don’t teach this stuff in music school. Musicians train for thousands of hours to hone their craft, but don’t necessarily learn about the diverse considerations that go into planning an accessible, neurodiversity-friendly performance. We are filling that gap.

The training helps artists understand a diverse spectrum of abilities and sensory experiences so that they can design events that are inclusive and welcoming for neurodiverse audiences. Our long-term vision is to help artists and arts organizations across Canada make their concert experiences more neurodiversity- and disability-friendly.

Program Overview:

-3.5 hours of pre-recorded webinars, with reflection questions for each of the 7 modules
-A one-hour synchronous discussion session with Erin Parkes, Kaylce Carter, Rory McLeod, and Bruce Petherick
-A guidebook on how to design and deliver accessible, inclusive musical programming
-Support in planning your own adaptive concert program

Artists learn about…

Barriers to Inclusion: Challenges that prevent or dissuade participation in music performance for neurodiverse populations and those with disabilities, including physical, sensory, geographic, attitudinal, and financial barriers.

Language and Disability: Exploring various models of disability; understanding the importance of language use in the disability community; how to approach language issues with respect.

Basics of Common Diagnoses: Outline of the characteristics of diagnoses through a strengths-based lens, including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, learning disabilities, FASD, and more.

Creating a Supportive Sensory Environment: Understanding differences in sensory processing for neurodiverse populations; adaptive strategies to support diverse sensory needs in the environment and concert program.

Communicating with Clarity: Discussing both verbal and non-verbal communication techniques to engage concertgoers with varying communication support needs.

The Adaptive Concert Experience: What to expect from the audience; managing the unexpected; balancing structure and flexibility.

Creative Engagement through Performance: Ways in which performers can engage with audiences with diverse needs through adaptive interactive activities.

Special thanks to those who helped develop, fund, and deliver this program: Erin Parkes, Bruce Petherick, Kaylce Carter, and TO Live

To learn more or register, visit https://xenia-concerts.learnworlds.com/course/xenia-artist-training-program

We are proud to announce three amazing new partnerships that expand the ways that Xenia Concerts brings exceptional performing arts experiences to our audiences, connects communities, and fosters accessibility!

Music Toronto

We’re working with Music Toronto to deliver the Xenia Concerts Artist Training program to the resident musicians in their COSE program. This training will help them design and deliver neuro- and ability-inclusive programming throughout their performing careers. 

CNIB

We’re working with the CNIB (Canadian National Institute for the Blind) to train Xenia staff and incorporate new accessibility accommodations into our concert designs for Blind and partially-sighted individuals. Together, we’re also creating new artist training materials and improving Xenia’s web accessibility. Thank you to the CNIB for helping us make our events more accessible!

City of Mississauga

We’re working with the City of Mississauga to present two Adaptive Concerts at The Living Arts Centre in 2025, featuring Kathak music and dance ensemble Pratibha Arts and the Canadian Chamber Orchestra. These are our first presentations in Mississauga, and hopefully the first of many!

Xenia Concerts thrives on collaboration! Did you know that in addition to our many presenting partnerships, Xenia Concerts provides:

• Accessibility consulting for arts organizations
• Educational workshops to empower artists and arts workers with knowledge of accessibility

We’re always eager to explore new ideas and partnerships, and we work with organizations across Canada. If you have an initiative or project in mind, let’s talk!

Reach out to us and let’s create something extraordinary together.

Xenia Concerts is a Toronto-based organization with a national mandate, dedicated to creating inclusive concert experiences for diverse communities. The organization is best known for the creation and ongoing direction of an Adaptive Concert series that welcomes and supports neurodivergent and disabled attendees, especially children, youth, and families. 

As a member of the Xenia Concerts Board, you will play a vital role in guiding our organization’s mission to make live music accessible to those who face social and systemic barriers to inclusion. Our concerts are tailored for neurodiverse audiences, families, and individuals who may benefit from sensory-friendly environments. We believe in breaking down barriers and celebrating music’s power to bring people together.

To complement the existing skill set on the Board, the ideal candidate will have experience in accessibility advocacy and/or fundraising; knowledge of human resources and digital marketing are considered an asset. Board members are expected to attend regular meetings, contribute to strategic planning, and support fundraising initiatives. 

Xenia Concerts is committed to improving equity both within its institution and across the performing arts sector. Applicants from all equity-seeking communities are encouraged to apply, including, but not limited to, those who identify as neurodivergent, D/deaf or disabled, Black, Indigenous, and people of colour, recognizing that both lived and learned experiences will inform the success of this role. At all levels of the organization, Xenia Concerts promotes equal opportunity, fair treatment, and the elimination of barriers for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Xenia Concerts is committed to making the interview process as accessible as possible. If you require accommodations during the selection and interview process, please include your requests with your application materials. Examples include, but are not limited to, ASL interpretation, receiving questions in advance, closed captions, and adjusting the pace of speech during the interview.

If you are passionate about accessibility in the arts and want to make a meaningful impact, we encourage you to apply!

Click the link below for the full posting and instructions on how to apply. If you have questions, please send an email to board@xeniaconcerts.com or call 437-441-7543.

We talked with Natalie Harmsen about our how we’re improving and redefining accessibility, one concert at a time and creating an inclusive experience for music lovers.

Check out the link below!

https://www.cbc.ca/music/xenia-concerts-live-music-accessibility-1.7260881