The Community Arts Council of Vancouver (CACV) is seeking a Stage Manager (Student Work Placement) who works directly with the Head of Programs and Operations to support performances at the Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival (VOAF). Festival dates are October 16-18, 2026. The festival takes place at the Roundhouse Community Centre in Downtown Vancouver.
Compensation: Rate at $23 per hour for approximately 120 hours from July to October 2026.
The deadline for applications is June 30, 2026.
The Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival provides opportunities for exhibition, performance, connection and learning to visual and performing artists facing social exclusion and other barriers. The Vancouver Outsider Arts Festival is Canada’s first and only festival for Outsider Art. The artists may be self-taught or trained: they are all devoted to their creative practices, and come from a point of view that is outside the mainstream art world trends.
For any questions regarding the role, please contact Mary-Anne McAllister, Head of Programs and Operations, maryanne@cacv.ca
Stage Manager Role & Responsibilities:
- Review technical requirements by festival performers
- Attend Site Visit at Roundhouse with CACV Staff and artists/performers
- Attend Site Visit with artists – DATE TBA
- Support with set up / take down on-site at the Roundhouse Community Centre
- Support with install / de-install of visual arts exhibition
- Support with artist liaison during festival performances
- Work with VOAF team and partners for performances
- Oversee a small group of volunteers to support performances
- Ensure that performers are prepared and present for their performances
- Other support tasks as requested by the CACV Head of Programs and Operations
Core Competencies:
- Relevant education and/or professional experience, 1 year minimum
- Event, exhibition, or festival producing experience
- Collaborator who can adapt to different styles of thinking and communication
- Strong organizational and task-management skills
- Excellent communication skills, both digital and in-person
- Strong in Word and Excel, can use Mac or Windows OS and basic Google tools, including Calendar & Drive.
- Ability to learn new systems and processes quickly
- Shared values with the Community Arts Council of Vancouver
Other Skills & Experience:
- Previous arts festival and event experience is an asset
- Experience in collaboration with diverse individuals, including people facing social exclusion, people with disabilities, marginalized/equity-seeking communities
- Social action creative practice, i.e. previous commitment to the intersection of arts and social change
Festival hours for the Stage Manager (in-person):
| Date | Time start | Time End | Hours |
| Thurs Oct 15 | 11:00 AM | 7:00 PM | 8 |
| Fri Oct 16 | 11:00 AM | 8:00 PM | 9 |
| Sat Oct 17 | 11:00 AM | 9:00 PM | 10 |
| Sun Oct 18 | 11:00 AM | 7:00 PM | 8 |
Additional hours:
- Weekly team meetings from August to October, for 2 hours per week
- Correspondence with performing artists from August to October, for approximately 5 hours per week
- Debrief meeting in late October for 2 hours
Notes:
The work is flexible and may be completed remotely or in our office located at the Woodwards Building (111 West Hastings St). The candidate would have to work in-person/on-site during the festival week from October 15-18, 2026.
We strongly encourage applicants of all genders, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, abilities and with a range of life experiences to apply.
–
This role is funded by the Student Work Placement Program. The SWP program objective is to connect students and Canadian cultural sector employers for meaningful work placements that apply and/or develop skills. Note – High school students and international students are not eligible.
To be eligible, students must meet all of the following requirements:
- Registered as a student in a recognized Canadian PSE institution in any program or field of study
- Legally allowed to work in Canada according to the laws and regulations of the province or territory where they work
- Either a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or a person granted refugee protection under the law.
To apply, submit your cover letter and resume in PDF format through this online application.