Artistic Director

Artistic Director 

Position Type: Full-Time
Location: Toronto (Regent Park)
Salary Range: $70,000 – $80,000 (commensurate with experience)
Application Deadline: July 03, 2026 

About Native Earth Performing Arts 

Founded in 1982, Native Earth Performing Arts is Canada’s oldest professional Indigenous theatre company, dedicated to developing and presenting Indigenous theatre, dance, and multidisciplinary performances. Over four decades, Native Earth has nurtured a thriving community of artists and contributed to the creation of landmark works in the Indigenous canon, including  Almighty Voice and His Wife by Daniel David Moses, The Rez Sisters by Tomson Highway, Someday by Drew Hayden Taylor and Moonlodge by Margo Kane. 

In 1989, Native Earth launched Weesageechak Begins to Dance, our annual festival dedicated to new Indigenous works and works-in-development. The festival has supported the development of over 200 new works by both emerging and established artists across disciplines, including Huff by Cliff Cardinal, bug by Yolanda Bonnell, This Is How We Got Here by Keith Barker, and Women of the Fur Trade by Frances Koncan. Complementing the festival, is our Animikiig Creators Unit, a two-year training program for emerging Indigenous playwrights and creators, offering mentorship, skills development, and public presentations.   

Based in Regent Park in the Daniels Spectrum building, Native Earth manages Aki Studio and Minogitoon Workspace to provide a base for Indigenous artists across nations, disciplines, and experience levels to create, develop, and share stories rooted in Indigenous experience, while fostering artistic excellence and legacy building. Native Earth also supports the broader artistic community with these spaces. 

Native Earth’s champions Indigenous talent by supporting Indigenous art and nurtures the creation of culturally grounded, boundary-pushing work. Over the years, our work has been recognized with 10 Dora Mavor Moore Awards with 63 nominations, while serving as a vital platform for Indigenous voices locally, nationally, and internationally. 

We operate in accordance with the Seven Sacred Teachings—Truth, Love, Respect, Bravery (Courage), Honesty, Humility, and Wisdom, which guides our decision-making, governance, and artistic practice.   

The Opportunity 

Native Earth is seeking an Artistic Director to lead the organization through its next phase of growth and transformation. 

Guided by our 2026–2030 Strategic Plan, the Artistic Director will help shape and advance Native Earth’s artistic vision, grounded in three core priorities: 

• Identity, Autonomy and Place – strengthening Indigenous-led, sovereign spaces for creation and gathering  

• Evolving Operations – building sustainable systems, teams, and partnerships  

• Supporting the Art, the Artists, and the Artisans – expanding opportunities for Indigenous creators at all stages  

This is a unique opportunity to steward a dynamic and interconnected artistic ecology that includes: 

• Aki Studio, our performance and presentation hub  

• Minogitoon Workspace – a flexible, artist-centred space for creation, rehearsal, and community gathering  

The Role 

The Artistic Director reports to the Board of Directors and is accountable for the artistic direction of the organization, its alignment with strategic priorities, values, and its relationships with artists and communities 

Working within a collaborative co-leadership model with the Managing Director, the Artistic Director stewards the organization’s artistic vision and programming; builds and maintains relationships with Indigenous artists and communities; supports the development of new work; and expands Native Earth’s presence locally, nationally, and internationally. 

The Artistic Director contributes to the organization’s overall direction and well-being, working closely with the Managing Director, staff, artists, and the Board. They advance the organization’s creative vision in alignment with its strategic priorities and support the implementation of Native Earth’s strategic direction in ways that are sustainable and responsive to the organization’s capacity. The Artistic Director is also expected to respond thoughtfully and ethically to changing circumstances while maintaining the integrity and direction of the company’s work. 

Key Responsibilities: 

Artistic Leadership & Programming 

• Curate and oversee Native Earth’s artistic programming, including productions, presentations, and development initiatives  

• Support artists through all stages of creation and presentation 

• Guide the continued evolution of programs such as the Animikiig Creators Unit and Indigenous Producer Training Program (IPTP)  

Community & Sector Engagement 

• Build and sustain meaningful relationships with Indigenous artists and communities  

• Act as a visible and engaged presence within the broader arts sector  

• Represent Native Earth in public forums, partnerships, and national/international networks  

• Advocate for Indigenous artists and arts practices  

Organizational Leadership 

• Work in partnership with the Managing Director to align artistic vision with operational and financial planning  

• Collaboratively contribute to the development and implementation of organizational strategy 

• Support a healthy, collaborative, and respectful work environment for staff and artists  

• Engage with the Board of Directors, reporting on artistic activity and contributing to governance processes  

Operations & Fundraising 

• Participate in grant writing, reporting, and funding strategy in collaboration with the Managing Director  

• Support fundraising initiatives and donor relationships alongside the Managing Director and team  

• Contribute to the long-term sustainability and growth of the organization through shared leadership 

Who You Are 

We are seeking a collaborative and thoughtful leader with lived Indigenous experience and a strong connection to community, culture, and the performing arts. You bring experience working in the sector and a commitment to developing and supporting new work, along with meaningful relationships within Indigenous arts communities. You approach leadership with generosity, valuing mentorship, shared growth, and supporting others in developing their skills and voices. You are able to balance artistic vision with organizational realities and bring strong communication and relationship-building skills to your work. We recognize that leadership pathways in the sector have not always been equitable, and we welcome a range of experiences that may inform your readiness for this role, including but not limited to formal senior leadership positions. 

Skills & Experience 

• Strong artistic judgment and experience supporting the development and presentation of new work  

• Experience working in theatre or the performing arts sector  

• Ability to build and sustain meaningful relationships with artists, communities, and partners  

• Collaborative leadership skills, with the ability to work effectively across teams and with a co-leadership model  

• Excellent communication skills, including writing, editing, and public speaking  

• Experience contributing to or leading grant writing and reporting processes  

• Understanding of organizational planning and the ability to balance artistic vision with operational realities  

• Experience participating in fundraising activities and building relationships with funders and stakeholders  

• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities  

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and familiarity with collaboration tools such as SharePoint 

• Full Driver’s License and Passport an asset

Leadership Model 

Native Earth operates within a collaborative, co-equal leadership structure between the Artistic Director and Managing Director. This model is central to how the organization functions. Both leaders share responsibility for the organization’s overall success, contribute to strategic and operational decision-making, and support each other’s areas of work while maintaining distinct areas of expertise. 

 Compensation & Working Conditions 

• Salary range: $70,000 – $80,000 annually  

• Full-time, permanent position  

• Our competitive health benefits package includes life insurance, AD&D, Extended Health benefits and Dental coverage. 

• Four weeks vacation, including 2 weeks winter break  

• Some evening, weekend, and travel commitments required   

Equity & Hiring Native Earth Performing Arts is an Indigenous-led organization dedicated to nurturing Indigenous storytelling and supporting Indigenous artists and communities. 

This position is open to Indigenous applicants only (First Nations, Inuit, and Métis). Candidates should have lived experience and a meaningful connection to Indigenous communities in what is now known as Canada. 

Candidates invited to interview will be asked to confirm their Indigenous identity. This process may include providing documentation and/or information about community connection, lived experience, or other relevant context, in accordance with Native Earth’s hiring practices. 

How to Apply 

Please submit: 

• A cover letter outlining your interest and vision for the role  

• A resume or CV  

to: hiring@nativeearth.ca 

We thank all applicants for their interest. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.