25 Apr

2025 Canada Summer Job Posting

This summer, we are hiring a Creative Assistant and a Marketing Assistant. This position is funded through the Canada Summer Jobs Program (eligibility for youth between the ages of 15 – 30 years).

The position is 8 weeks in length, full-time and virtual (with some in-person work). The deadline to apply is May 12th with a start date of June 1st.

Learn more, including full job descriptions, at www.ruralcreativity.org
Submit applications to Peter Smith at peter@ruralcreativity.org
We look forward to hearing from you! 


JOB DESCRIPTION

Creative Assistant

Job TitleCreative Assistant
LocationVirtual (with some possible in-person work)
Position StatusFull-Time (40 Hours per Week) Summer Employment (8 Weeks)
Reports toCCRC Executive and Creative Director

JOB STATEMENT

Reporting to the Executive and Creative Director of the Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity, the Creative Assistant works with the Executive and Creative Director to support the development and marketing of the Voice of the River: The Grand River Community Play project. Responsibilities include outlining, sourcing, and coordinating project resources, and marketing as well as communicating with stakeholders, project partners and engaged consultants. In this role the incumbent will also support the Executive and Creative Director to plan, organize and prepare for the upcoming production of the Voice of the River in July and August of this year.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

  1. Support the Executive and Creative Director with the Voice of the River: The Grand River Community Play project.
  2. Interact with stakeholders, project partners and consultants connected to the project.
  3. Coordinate and plan project schedule, logistics and resources.
  4. Assist with administrative tasks related to planning such as budget and finance.
  5. Plan, design and post updates about the project on the website, and social media working with the creative team and the CCRC board members.
  6. Organize, schedule and prepare storytelling content.
  7. Possible travel to sites along the Grand River (mileage and/or accommodation covered)


JOB SPECIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

  1. Enrolled or completed educational studies in administration, communications, creative arts, rural studies, audio/visual production, or related field.
  2. Experience in, or passion for, creativity, art, rural development, dissemination of knowledge, and the enrichment of rural spaces.
  3. Previous experience planning and organizing events or hybrid meetings is an asset.

 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  1. Organized and ability to multi-task.
  2. Comfortable public speaking and connecting with new people.  
  3. Strong computer skills. Knowledge of Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and graphic design tools such as Canva.
  4. Ability to express ideas and information through verbal and written communication. Professional writing and presentation style.
  5. Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
  6. Ability to work alone.
  7. Excels in a non-profit atmosphere. Ability to work under volunteer board supervision.
  8. Driver’s license preferred.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

CCRC works virtually and this position is “work from home”. The CCRC is based in Ontario and operates in the Eastern time zone.

COMPENSATION

The hourly wage for this position is $17.20 per hour plus vacation pay.

POSITION DEPENDENT ON FUNDING ALLOCATION

Position is pending funding approval.

EQUITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION STATEMENT

The Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity (CCRC) is committed to the principle of equity in employment and encourages applications from underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous Peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity, and others with the skills and knowledge to productivity engage with diverse communities. CCRC is committed to providing accommodations throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodation, please notify the organization and we will work with you to meet your expressed needs.

ELIGIBILITY

This position is funded through the Canada Summer Jobs Program

To be eligible, youth must:

  • be between 15 and 30 years of age at the beginning of the employment period,
  • be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person to whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for the duration of the employment,
  • have a valid Social Insurance Number at the start of employment and be legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial or territorial legislation and regulations.

In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, those legally authorized to work in Canada will be given priority.

HIRING PROCESS

Interested applicants are encouraged to submit their resume and cover letter via email. For more information contact Peter Smith at peter@ruralcreativity.org.

Submit resume and cover letter to:
Peter Smith
peter@ruralcreativity.org

Submissions will be accepted until position is filled. Initial review of applications will take place May 12, 2025.

05 Apr

Grand River Community Meeting in Paris, ON – All Welcome

April 22, 2025
7:00 – 9:00 PM
The Paris Wincey Mills Co.
31 Mechanic Street, Paris, ON

Public meeting for information, sharing stories, and getting involved in this multi-location theatre production along the Grand River. Learn more with no pressure of commitment by attending this meeting.
Please bring a story to share about you and the Grand River!
Free to attend.

03 Apr

News Article – A play as long as a river – and like the Grand, it starts here

M.T. Fernandes, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Dundalk Herald, Apr 3, 2025

“Imagine a play about the Grand River – its history, its people and its stories, that takes life in a journey of performances from headwaters to river outlet.

Well, most of us would not imagine a play like that.  

And that’s one of the common reactions Peter Smith has faced over the past three years of bringing the 310-km long play to life.”
Read more >>

03 Mar

R2R24 Video Documentary Released!

We want to thank everyone who partook in R2R24 in October of last year in Blyth. It brought us to the Village to explore our differences together. Local documentarian Nick Vinnicombe from Walton put together a short documentary on the conference. We invite you to take a look and let us know what you think. 

28 Feb

Fundraising campaign launched for The Voice of The River

OUR ASK:

We believe in paying our artists and crew – so if you can offer your support – no matter how small or how large – it will assist us mightily. Your support goes toward compensating the incredible skills, talent and work of the artists and crew as well as key production equipment such as a portable stage and mobile sound and lighting.

Your donation, no matter how big or small, will make a difference. You also have the opportunity to sponsor a specific role or need whether it is the tour designer, puppet wrangler, stage manager, transportation or equipment.

How to make a donation or become a sponsor:

You will receive an automatic tax receipt via CanadaHelps.org
Click here to go to the donation form OR use the QR code below

SPONSOR A SPECIFIC POSITION OR EQUIPMENT
To become a sponsor for a specific position or equipment (see list below), please contact Peter Smith directly at:
Email: peter@ruralcreativity.org
Tel: 416-686-1462
You will receive a mailed tax receipt for this option.


Here is a list of what is needed to support this incredible production. Your donation, large or small, will help us get to where we’re going.
Click here to make a donation

PRE-PRODUCTION NEEDS

POSITIONDESCRIPTIONCOST
Creatives/ArtistsActors, musicians, designers bring the stories alive and will be in rehearsals in the spring and summer leading to production in July/August.$35,000
Tour ManagerThis is a critical position. Someone who will liaise with each community for permits, tickets, volunteers, performers from the community etc. Food, port-a-potties, recycling etc.$5,000
CostumerCostume builder for the show who would then tour becoming the Assistant Stage Manager. This person also consults with each community to create “tickle trunks” for stories and parades.$7,500
Puppet WranglerThis artist will create and oversee the props/banners for te show. They attend workshops and do follow up to ensure all puppets are finished. They also work to refurbish existing puppets and is a part of the tour team.$5,000
Mask MakerMask creator and advisor on costume, props and design.$3,500
DesignerOversees all aspects of the production design.$5,000

TOUR NEEDS

POSITIONDESCRIPTIONCOST
Stage ManagerWorks to ensure smooth running of the production during performances. Works closely with the tech team in rehearsals, on tour.$7,000
Assistant Stage ManagerThis person will help with the running of the show, actor wrangling, wardrobe, prop set-up and maintenance.$5,000
Production Manager/Tech DirectorEnsures set up/tear down of all tech equipment. Responsible for safety.$6,000
Set, Light and Sound TechnicianCrew member who responsible for set up lights and sound equipment and operations.$5,000
DriverDrives the company truck from location to location. Ensures load ins and load outs. $4,000

EQUIPMENT NEEDS

EQUIPMENTDESCRIPTIONCOST
Portable StageA 20 ft wide and 16 ft deep, 18 inches high with 3 entrance/exit step units for stage right, left, and upstage. It will be made with all weather plywood sheets and aluminum and steel rigging. Easy to put up and to tear down. There will also be a colourful painted stage cloth attached to the stage on poles upstage. At the end of the run the stage will be gifted to Grandview Theatre in order for them to use it as they continue touring up and down the River for years to come. A good investment all around!$10,000
Mobile sound/lightingWe are using LED lighting with 10 instruments in total. They will be rigged on temporary poles/trees. The lights can change colour and change focus. We will be renting a lighting board for the run of the show. The sound equipment includes speakers, body mics, cable, a mixer and sound board that we will rent for the run. $5,000

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

22 Jan

Article from Ontario Farmer –

Story trios are a recommended way to talk out differences

Thanks to OntarioFarmer.com for the brilliant write-up on one of the communication-based workshop approaches – Appreciative Inquiry – at R2R24 in October. 

Read full article – https://www.ontariofarmer.com/news/farm-news/story-trios-are-a-recommended-way-to-talk-out-differences

The CCRC has been hosting the Rural Talks to Rural conferences since 2016 to contribute to a strong rural voice through collaboration, dialogue, and building collective wisdom.

Appreciative Inquiry is based on the premise that all of us are stronger and smarter together and the solutions are already in our rural communities. It fosters and stimulates growth and celebrates the positive in the community. Delegates were asked to share when they were part of a conversation that crossed the divides in our rural communities that went well and what conditions made it possible.

Much came out of this workshop including these insights:

⭐Acknowledge change

⭐Embrace discomfort and have the courage to deal with it

⭐Practice patient communication and listening

⭐Have a willingness to understand differences

⭐Educate and inform