03 Jun

Grand River Quilt Project Exhibition Running from June 2 to June 30 in Waterloo

We are pleased to share that The Voice of the River Quilt Project will be showcased all month long at the Princess Twin Odeon Gallery.

Exhibition Details
June 2 – June 30, 2025
Princess Twin Odeon Gallery
Open during gallery hours
Come on by!

Quilt co-ordinators Pat Flood and Sharon Gashgarian are still collecting squares, but the latest collection, with representation from up and down the river, is on display.

Also join us for a reception on Wednesday, June 11th from 6 – 8 PM for the Voice of the River: The Exhibit!

This reception will be held at the Princess Twin Odeon Gallery in Waterloo and celebrates the Voice of the River: Grand River Community Play Project with its stories, songs, plays, and art created over the past four years! All are welcome. 

Read the latest Princess Cinemas blog post

Learn more about the The Voice of the River: Grand River Community Play Project

27 May

Article from Elora/Fergus Today: James Gordon sings of the Grand River in upcoming Fergus concert

“When Guelph-based singer-songwriter James Gordon was asked to support the Grand River Community Play Project, he was happy to oblige.

“I’m a total river guy,” said Gordon, noting that he grew up near the banks of the Grand River and rivers seem to feature in a lot of his work.” … read more

This upcoming performance on June 5 at 8 p.m. at the Fergus Grand Theatre, is no exception.

In Benefit of the Voice of the River
James Gordon Live at the
Fergus Grand Theatre

June 5, 2025
8:00 PM
The Fergus Grand Theatre
244 St. Andrew Street, Fergus, ON
Tickets: $28
Purchase tickets here

20 May

Calling all Vendors for the Market Exchange on Saturday, August 23rd, 12-3PM

Are you an artist, storyteller or non-profit organization?

A vendor’s market, The Market Exchange, will take place on the final performance date – Saturday, August 23rd – from 12:00 – 3:00 PM.

Artisans, not-for-profit organizations, storytellers welcome to set up a booth.
No vendor fee required but a contribution to Six Nations Tourism is appreciated.
If you would like to be a vendor, contact Peter Smith at peter@ruralcreativity.org.
Limited space available.

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.