Design Specialist - Summer Opera Camps

The Canadian Opera Company (COC) is looking for an energetic and skilled Teaching Artist (Design Specialist) to join our
Summer Opera Camps team. The COC’s Summer Opera Camps offer children and youth entering grades 1 to 12 the
opportunity to create their own opera over the course of one of four fun-filled weeks in July. Participants explore every
element of an operatic production, including singing, composing, story creation, drama, movement and stage design. At
the end of the week, participants present a special rehearsal of their opera to family and friends.

The Design Specialist will be responsible for providing artistic (set design) leadership, facilitation, and educational
support including, but not limited to: purchasing, preparing, and maintaining materials for stage design sessions;
creating and presenting concepts and lessons; fostering a creative and safe learning environment for participants;
supporting participants during hands-on creation of props, costume, and set backdrop making sessions; collaborating
with other lead artists on programming; maintaining supplies and helping to set up and clean up materials; and curating
and installing a display of participants’ work on the final day each week of camp.

The Design Specialist position is a four-week contract position that will run from July 4, 2022 to July 30, 2022 according
to the following schedule:

July 4 to 30, 2022 The Design Specialist will work Monday to Friday, 8:45 a.m. to 4 p.m., except for the first

three Fridays when they will work until 5:30 p.m., and on the last Saturday of the month, at the
Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts at 145 Queen St. W.

In addition to the dates listed above, the Design Specialist must also be available for and attend four planning meetings
(to be set at a mutually agreed upon time for all artistic staff) during the planning period (May – June 2022) to begin
conceiving the four productions that will be created with the participants over the course of the camps. The Design
Specialist must also attend one debrief meeting with the Camps team and COC Community Partnerships & Programs
Team. The Camps Design Specialist will also work with the Manager, Community Partnerships & Programs to procure
design supplies for use during the camps.

The artist fee for this program is a lump sum of $4700.00. Artists will be paid $1000.00 weekly while camps are in
session. A flat fee of $700.00 will be paid out at the end of the planning period. This planning fee is inclusive of the four
planning meetings, and any additional prep work the artist will need to complete prior to the start of camp.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

ARTISTIC

• As part of the Camps Team (Music Director, Design Specialist, Vocal Specialist), lead the conception, planning,

• Be available for and attend four planning meetings and one debrief meeting with the Camps team and COC

• Research and consider age groups in order to appropriately customize elements of each camp to learning styles

• Work with Camps Team to design programs that integrate music, drama, and visual art in a variety of styles

• Establish a welcoming and inclusive learning environment and alter the program according to the needs and

• Handle issues (disciplinary, attendance and participation) with participants and their parents/guardians should

• Engage the Camps Assistants and any volunteers in programming by providing clear directions on how they can

ADMINISTRATIVE

• Contact the Manager, Community Partnerships & Programs by 7 a.m. on any teaching day in the event of illness

• Arrive by 8:45 a.m. before the start of each session and to stay until each participant has been safely signed out

• Submit original receipts for all pre-approved expenses to the Manager, Community Partnerships & Programs for

KEY REQUIREMENTS

• Strong background in theatre design and/or visual art; familiarity with opera is considered a strong asset;

• Emotional intelligence – ability to harness interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically and apply

critical thinking and problem-solving skills to tasks;

• Minimum three to five years of professional experience in design and/or visual art;

• Minimum three to five years experience working with youth in a community or educational setting;

• Qualified individuals should articulate a strong commitment to diversity and possess the ability to work

effectively with youth and their families from diverse backgrounds;

• The COC has a vaccination policy in place; applicants must be able to comply with this policy and the

successful candidate must provide proof of full vaccination.

ABOUT THE CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY
Based in Toronto, the Canadian Opera Company is the largest producer of opera in Canada and one of the largest in
North America. General Director Perryn Leech joined the company in 2021, forming a leadership team with
Music Director Johannes Debus and Deputy General Director Christie Darville. The COC enjoys a loyal audience, including
a dedicated base of subscribers, and has an international reputation for artistic excellence and creative innovation. Its
diverse repertoire includes new commissions and productions, local and international collaborations with leading opera
companies and festivals, and attracts the world’s foremost Canadian and international artists. The COC Academy is an
incubator for the future of the art form, nurturing Canada’s new wave of opera creators with customized training and
support. The COC performs in its own opera house, the Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts, hailed
internationally as one of the finest in the world. For more information, visit coc.ca.

APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested persons are invited to submit their resume and cover letter, no later than Sunday, April 10, 2022 to:
applications@coc.ca

Peter Ford
Director, Human Resources
Canadian Opera Company
227 Front St. E. Toronto, ON M5A 1E8

The Canadian Opera Company thanks, in advance, all applicants, however, only those considered for an interview will be
contacted. No phone calls or agencies please.

The COC is committed to providing accommodations for people with disabilities in all parts of the hiring process. If you
require an accommodation, please let us know and we will work with you to meet your needs.

Date Posted: March 25, 2022