Artistic & Executive Director Candidate Package - Indian Summer ...
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Artistic & Executive Director “One of the city’s most ambitious cultural festivals, bringing
in literary stars and intellectuals from around the world,
Candidate Package as well as some stunning musical events… consistently
surprises audiences with a smorgasbord of delights.”
— Charlie Smith, The Georgia Straight
The Invitation
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Indian Summer Arts Society (ISAS), we welcome your interest
in the role of Artistic and Executive Director.
Indian Summer Arts Society has built a reputation for offering Vancouver some of its most exciting
arts events through our annual Indian Summer Festival (ISF). Its thoughtful risk-taking, artistic
excellence and social punch are punctuating characteristics of a festival designed for curious minds.
It brings together the local context with the international, links South Asian artists from Vancouver
and the global diaspora with Indigenous artists from the host nations.
As our organization goes into its twelfth year, we prepare for an exciting future with new leadership.
ISAS has been extraordinarily stewarded thus far by our founders Sirish Rao and Laura Byspalko. As
they prepare to step down and take up new endeavours, they leave the organization with a bright
future and strong foundation to build on. ISAS enjoys a strong local, national and international
reputation. It is supported by a range of governmental agencies, donors and sponsors, has a vast
network of cultural and artistic partners, and is beloved in the community. It is healthy, financially
sound, and well poised for the future.
We are looking for a visionary leader who is excited to design affirmative interventions in the arts
landscape and who brings fresh thinking and ingenuity to this task. They will inspire, provide artistic
and organizational leadership, and collaborate with an outstanding team and committed Board of
Directors to deliver inspiring programs. We are searching for someone who will nurture and grow
ISAS’s relationships — both institutional and individual — and who is excited by the challenge of
finding innovative and meaningful ways to gather in this current moment.
We believe that arts leaders can come from a variety of backgrounds and locations and actively
welcome applications from everyone with the values, skills, attributes and experience outlined in
this package. It is expected that the new Artistic and Executive Director will be in place to witness
“It’s more than a festival. It’s a movement. and celebrate the upcoming 12th edition July 7-17th under the current leadership, and take over the
reins following that momentous occasion.
I don’t know if something like this exists
anywhere else. I wish New York had an We invite you to consider this exciting leadership opportunity and the ISAS’s unique position in the
Indian Summer Festival.” Canadian arts ecosystem.
— Waris Ahluwalia,
actor and designer, ISF alumnus Am Johal
Chair of the Board of Directors
The audience of Hariprasad Chaurasia, the Orpheum, ISF2018. Photo by Caleigh Mayer.
“An extraordinary event that encompasses not “For the past decade, the festival has brought
only the foremost South Asian artists but has together international and local artists,
embraced a broad and bounteous collection of connecting Vancouver with the world through
other cultural traditions… It is a feast in every exciting work of culturally diverse artists. It
sense of the word, a laden banquet of ideas, has fostered cross-cultural dialogue, reinforced
performances, sounds and colours.” the meaning of a global community, leveraged
— Dorothy Woodend, The Tyee the transformative power of the arts to inspire
creativity, and offered hope for a more inclusive
society and promising future.”
"Indian Summer describes itself as “a festival — Joy Johnson, President and Vice-Chancellor,
for the curious mind.” The annual event has Simon Fraser University.
pursued its mission statement with impressive
results, presenting an eclectic roster of thinkers,
creators and Nobel, Booker, Grammy and Oscar “What an incredible accomplishment, and a
prize winners in a wide range of showcases.” tribute to our city.”
— Stuart Derdeyn, Vancouver Sun — Kennedy Stewart,
Mayor of the
City of Vancouver
“The partnership between the Indian Summer
Festival and the Ismaili Community has
reinforced the value of pluralism that needs
to exist in order for communities to thrive.
Having the opportunity to host some of its
programs at the Ismaili Centre has reinforced
our aims to encourage mutual exchanges
and understanding between diverse peoples,
communities and faiths.”
— Farouq Manji,
Ismaili Council for British Columbia
'Immigrant Lessons' perform at the Imperial, ISF2019. Photo by Nick Siu.
A Festival for the Curious Mind
Indian Summer Arts Society (ISAS) was incorporated as a Widely acknowledged as the pre-eminent presenter of
BC registered not-for-profit in 2011 and became a CRA- South Asian arts and ideas in Canada, ISAS believes in the
registered charity in 2014. ISAS was co-founded by Sirish transformative power of the arts to build bridges and foster
Rao and Laura Byspalko (who currently serve as the Artistic dialogue. Each year, we present provocative arts events
Director and Managing Director, respectively). that feature some of the finest artists and visionaries from
Canada, South Asia and beyond. From novelists to emcees,
Our signature event remains our annual Indian Summer community visionaries to movie stars, ISAS presents
Festival. Beginning as a cultural bridge between Canada emerging artists as well as Nobel, Booker, Grammy and
and India, the festival has since grown to serve as a meeting Oscar prizewinners on its stages. Our offering now extends
place for many more cultures. It has seen a programmatic beyond the festival to year-round programming, and a
evolution from an expression of diasporic South Asian ‘Culture Lab’ which offers local artists funds, resources
identity in British Columbia to its current shape as a festival and mentorship to provide crucial arts-based
that takes a decidedly pluralistic approach, welcoming and solutions for pressing societal issues.
exploring issues that lie at the intersections of multiple
communities, through a South Asian lens.
Arundhati Roy, ISF+ 2019. Photo by Caleigh Mayer.
Mandate & Mission
We believe that arts organizations like ours have multiple OUR VISION OUR CORE VALUES
critical roles in creating a robust societal fabric, and
in combating prejudice and racism. Culturally diverse An inclusive, diverse, and culturally rich society that • Curiosity and collaboration
perspectives foster innovation, resilience, empathy values the transformative power of the arts.
and cultural wellbeing. To us these are not abstract • Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility
concepts; the outcome of our work is the wellbeing and OUR MISSION
cooperation of the community at a systemic level. • Excellence & Innovation
We offer multi-arts experiences of exceptional caliber,
thoughtfully curated through a South Asian lens. We • Playfulness
connect rich and complex pasts with the emerging
future, delighting audiences while provoking necessary • Diversity in ideas and humans
dialogue and debate.
The ISF team, 2020. Photo by Caleigh Mayer.
Who We Are
ISAS TEAM BOARD OF DIRECTORS COMMUNICATIONS
& MEDIA RELATIONS
Sirish Rao Co-Founder & Artistic Director Am Johal Chair
Laura Byspalko Co-Founder & Managing Director Angie Osachoff Vice Chair Fawnz Creative
Laura June Albert Development & Community Initiatives Manager Vishal Hiralal Treasurer
Pawan Deol Festival Producer Meena Dhillon Secretary WEBSITE
Anya Rawla Festival Administrator & Office Coordinator Neeta Soni Director
Rob Eccles Communications Designer Abhishaek Rawal Director Kipling Media
Ciara Gunning Accounting & Payroll Manager Sambriddhi Nepal Director
Anna Ling Kaye Director TECHNICAL SUPPORT
James Wright Director
Tech Butlers Ltd.
2021 ADVISORY COUNCIL
Aradhana Seth
Deepa Mehta
Jas Sandhu
Mandeep Dhaliwal
Michael Stevenson
Pankaj Agarwal
Prem Gill
Ratana Stephens
Sukesh Kumar
“The idea of going through a generational
transfer is an opportunity, a juicy place
that can be taken advantage of. It’s the
The Current Moment
transition for a community where we have
the founders with us to speak to what might Any moment of generational transition holds with it both excitement and unique challenges.
As an organization, ISAS sees this as an opportunity to demonstrate what an intentional
come ahead, what is next, what we are transfer of leadership can look like. We have a highly engaged Board and team, and outgoing
going to co-create.” founders who are prepared to help with knowledge transfer while creating the space for new
leadership to forge new directions. This is also a particular moment for all arts organizations
— Khari Wendell McClelland around the world, as the pandemic has demanded agility and innovation, as the very nature of
art making and art experiences shift. It is important to nurture local communities and creative
ecosystems — at the same time we are afforded ways of connecting with international artists
and communities through online and hybrid events.
Some key situational considerations for ISAS are:
• Organizational resilience in the wake of COVID
• Financial stability and probity, in tandem with a healthy reserve fund
• Experienced and committed complement of permanent, full-time staff
• Engaged Board of Directors, backed by expertise and an ever-improving governance structure
• Exemplary artistic network and prestigious history of presentations
Sejal, ISF2020. Photo by Caleigh Mayer. • Diverse set of sponsors, community partners, contributors and supporters
• Relationships with public funders at all three levels
• Treasured brand and favoured market position
• Co-founders’ commitment to transfer knowledge and ensure the organization thrives
• Exhaustive Governance and Policy Manual and forward looking Strategic Plan (2021-2023)
Facts & Figures For nine years, we saw steady annual growth, balanced across four distinct revenue
sources. Then, due to the pandemic and the massive hit to live event ticket sales
2019 figures are provided as they offer an illustration of a typical festival. models worldwide, our ticket revenue stream dropped steeply in 2020 and 2021.
2021 figures can be found in the most recent Annual Report Fortunately, Indian Summer could offset these temporary losses with support from
COVID programs and wage subsidies, which enabled Indian Summer to retain
• 11 day festival staff, pay artists, engage audiences and carry out our mandate. Given the state
of uncertainty during this period, Indian Summer has fared remarkably well. Our
• 169 artists from 31 cities approach has been active, optimistic and cautious, and we remain committed as ever
to nurturing multiple revenue sources.
• 30 events Annual Revenues of $850k
• 13 venues MIXED REVENUE SOURCES 2019
• 7000+ attendees Donations
10% MIXED REVENUE SOURCES 2021
• 396,000 engaged through multi-month public art projects and free outdoor hubs Grants &
Foundations Donations Earned Income
• 216 volunteers Earned Income 46% 8% 3%
21%
• 142 earned media mentions Sponsorships
23% Grants &
Sponsorships Foundations
23% 39%
COVID Support
27%
'Dancing Masks', a public art project featuring Kwakwaka'wakw artist Maynard Johnny Jr. and
Mumbai-based artist Kanika Sethi, from the PAUSE pavilion, ISF2019. Photo by Syed Mustafa.
“Indian Summer Festival has created expansive space for us artists to be able
to share our stories, be in community and reimagine the way we create art.”
— Alyssa Amarshi, dancer and ISF alumna
Candidate Profile As the successful candidate, you are someone who possesses the
following attributes:
ADAPTABILITY: Demonstrates a willingness to be flexible, versatile
and/or tolerant in a changing work environment while maintaining
The AED’s passion and vision results in exciting, unique artistic experiences that delight
effectiveness and efficiency.
audiences in Metro Vancouver (and through online programming, Canada, and the
world). The genre-straddling and provocative programming that is the hallmark of ISF is
BEHAVES ETHICALLY: Understands ethical behaviour and business
at the heart of the organization’s artistic leadership as steered by the AED.
practices and ensures that own behaviour and the behaviour of others
is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the
The AED maintains and strengthens the reputation of ISAS as a renowned cultural
organization.
institution and fosters engagement, collaboration, and artistic dialogue among exciting
and thoughtful artists in Canada, South Asia and the world. The AED strives to grow
BUILDS RELATIONSHIPS: Establishes and maintains positive working
ISF’s artistic vision, scope and scale bringing fresh thinking, and experience in cultural
relationships with others, both internally and externally, to achieve the
programming and innovative leadership to the role. The AED works to build a legacy for
goals of the organization.
ISF by nurturing the growth and success of local artists and the local cultural landscape.
COMMUNICATES EFFECTIVELY: Speaks, listens, and writes in a
The AED is a relationship builder who nurtures the Society’s wide-ranging and
clear, thorough, and timely manner using appropriate and effective
committed network of stakeholders who view the Society as a treasured and significant
communication tools and techniques.
cultural entity.
INNOVATIVE THINKER: Develops new and unique ways to improve
The AED reports to a voluntary Board of Directors, is responsible for the overall success
operations of the organization and to create new opportunities.
of ISF and fulfilling ISAS’s mission and vision and is supported by a committed and
collaborative managerial team.
COLLABORATES: Builds partnerships and works collaboratively with
internal and external stakeholders to meet shared objectives
MEMBERSHIP FOSTERS TEAMWORK: Works cooperatively and effectively with
others to set goals, resolve problems, and make decisions that enhance
GOVERNANCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS organizational effectiveness.
ARTISTIC / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ADVISORY COUNCIL
DRIVES ENGAGEMENT: Creates a climate where others are
motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its
objectives.
DEVELOPMENT
FESTIVAL COMMUNICATIONS OPERATIONS
& COMMUNITY
PRODUCER MANAGER MANAGER*
INITIATIVES MANAGER MANAGES COMPLEXITY: Makes sense of complex, high quantity,
and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
FESTIVAL
ACCOUNTING
PRODUCTION PRODUCTION PRODUCTION COMMS
LIASON MANAGER ASSISTANT DESIGNER
PR
ADMINISTRATOR
& OFFICE
& PAYROLL
MANAGER
PLANS AND ALIGNS: Determine strategies to move the organization
COORDINATOR
forward. Set goals, creates, and implements actions plans, and
evaluates the process and results.
GOVERNANCE / ADVISORY PERMANENT PART-TIME PERMANENT FULL-TIME CONTRACT / SEASONAL THINKS STRATEGICALLY: Assesses options and actions based on
trends and conditions in the environment, and the vision and values of
the organization.Role & Key Responsibilities
LEADERSHIP “As both artist and attendee, it
truly is a feast for the senses, for
• Provides overall direction and leadership for the organization and serves
the mind, heart and spirit. I feel
as advisor on all aspects of the organization’s operations and activities.
lifted, reflected and engaged when
• Collaborates with the Board of Directors to shape and execute the it's ISF time. Through ISF, I have
vision and strategic plan that guides ISAS. found some of the most meaningful,
long term collaborations with
• Enables team members to deliver on organizational goals, maintaining phenomenal artists from around
a progressive and collaborative work culture despite challenging external the globe.”
conditions. —Ruby Singh,
musician, ISF alumnus
ARTISTIC PROGRAMMING
• Creates a coherent festival experience that has a recognizable and
distinctive Indian Summer Festival flavour.
PIQSIQ and Ruby Singh, ISF2020. Photo by Caleigh Mayer.
• Develops a clear curatorial framework for each Festival edition and
works closely with the Festival Producer to design events that are
delivered in line with the curatorial vision and delight audiences, while FUNDRAISING, OPERATIONAL &
keeping fiscal and production feasibility in mind. FINANCIAL PLANNING, HUMAN RESOURCES
• Delivers a program that provokes, engages, and entertains a broad • Supports Development Manager in grant writing especially with regard
cross-section of audiences, while also showcasing thought-leading, to articulating strategic direction, artistic vision and programming.
pioneering work that is vital to ISF’s position as a festival exemplifying the
highest level of cultural innovation. • Develops and maintains relationships with key top-level patrons,
sponsors and funders, and is supported by the Development Manager to
• Envisions and oversees creative models for multi-year developmental manage these key relationships.
partnerships with other arts organizations locally, nationally, and
internationally. • Leads and oversees the development of the annual budget in
collaboration with the Operations Manager and other members of the
management team and ensures the organization reaches financial targets
MEDIA/COMMUNICATIONS and goals.
• Plays a lead role as ambassador and advocate for ISF in public relations, • Hires and conducts annual performance reviews of management team
while playing the roles of spokesperson to media, MC, host to audiences, (Development Manager, Festival Producer, Communications Manager,
funders, patrons, politicians, sponsors. Operations Manager).
• Represents ISAS at arts and culture events and conferences and
speaks at appropriate media and industry engagements as an effective
communicator.Essential skills:
Experience & Competencies
• Experience in senior management role in a non-profit arts organization.
• Knowledge of leadership and management principles as they relate to
non-profit/ voluntary organizations.
• Knowledge of all federal and provincial legislation applicable to
voluntary sector organizations.
• Knowledge of current community challenges and opportunities relating
to the mission of the organization.
• Skilled people leader with the ability to coach, mentor and build
effective teams.
• Strong visionary & innovative thinker who sees ahead to future possibilities. 'Nepathya' performs at the Chan Centre, ISF2018. Photo by Nick Siu.
• Strong financial acumen and with ability to interpret and apply understanding
of key financial indicators to make sound organizational decisions.
• Experience in managing projects to ensure they are completed within
Desirable Criteria
budget and deadline.
• Holds a highly developed emotional intelligence and is
• Proven record as a successful fundraiser with knowledge of funding compassionate, patient, and kind; has a sense of humor, models
opportunities available within the sector. collaborative working styles.
• Ability to paint a compelling picture of the vision and strategy that • Possesses strong cultural literacy in South Asian art practices and
motivates others to action. disciplines and familiarity with a broad range of artists from South Asia
and the diaspora.
• Expert level communicator with experience in developing and
delivering multi-mode communications. • Has entrepreneurial spirit, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with all sectors of the community, the • Is attuned to the work and nurture required to maintain a wide network
Board of Directors and staff. of relationships.
• Relevant undergraduate degree or relevant experience. • Exists in service of joyful gathering and radical hospitality, especially in
difficult times. They will delight in catalyzing curiosity and artistic expression,
and connecting local communities to each other and the world.Squamish leader Khelsilem leads a walking tour of Seʼnákw
– (Vanier Park), ISF2019. Photo by Syed Mustafa.
Remuneration TERMS/CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
A competitive compensation package will be offered, complete • Some evenings and weekends work is required
with salary (between $80,000 - $95,000) and competitive
benefits package. • Travel to local and international venues and sites
• Access to a vehicle
How to Apply • Proof of vaccination
• Ability to work remotely
Please apply by email with your cover letter and resume by no
later than 4pm on March 11, 2022.
Submit the completed application to: amy@hrwest.ca
Indian Summer festival is committed to building and
maintaining an inclusive work environment that reflects
the diversity of the audiences we serve. We encourage
applications from all qualified candidates and equity seeking
groups, including from racialized persons/persons of colour,
Indigenous persons, and persons with disabilities.
We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those
being considered for interviews will be contacted.You can also read
