We’re Hiring:
Festival Coordinator (Canada Summer Jobs)
Festival Coordinator Description
Ground Up Dance Festival is looking for a Festival Coordinator. This is a 6 week contract up to 180 hours total ($20/hour). This job involves working remotely online, as well as in person in the Kingston area. We are looking for someone responsible and motivated to furthering the exposure of dance across the city. This collaborating team member will get hands-on experience in festival organization, arts administration, event planning, communications, and in person community engagement.
To be considered you must be eligible for the Canada Summer Jobs Program: 15-30 years old, a Canadian Citizen or Permanent resident, and have a valid SIN.
Responsibilities
General festival outreach
Help to create marketing plans and strategies
Create and maintain the festival newsletter
Maintain mailing lists
Assist with grant writing/editing and support materials
Documentation of festival events (basic photography and video footage)
Correspondence with festival artists and dancers
Positively and inclusively address accessibility needs for the festival and its events
Help teach and lead community dance sequences/workshops
Distribute posters around town
Be available in person at all of the following dates:
June 9th: Visiting company arrival & technical set up
June 10th: School matinee & evening performance
June 13th and 14th: Check in participants for Christopher House workshop
June 27th and 28th: SPAF table booth representative
July 4th: Community Performance tech support
July 7th - 11th: Festival in person representation & assistance
Help with merchandise
Develop a Festival outcome / audience survey
Post festival organization and archival work
Qualifications
The following is a list of skills and assets we value for this position
Successful experience with arts administration
Involvement with dance organizations in Kingston and surrounding areas
Knowledge with technical set up of speakers and sound equipment
Be able to lift and contribute physically to the set up of technical equipment and materials for performances.
Past dance and teaching experience in inclusive environments
Commitment to continuous education in the value of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA)
Proficiency with Canva, Google Workspace/Outlook, Zoom, Mailchimp, Squarespace
Documentation organization and video editing
Timeline
Call opens: April 24, 2026
Call closes: May 8, 2026 at 5:00pm ET
Start date: June 1, 2026
6 weeks / 30 hours a week — 180 hours
$20 per hour
Please email us at groundupdancefestival@outlook.com with your Cover Letter & CV with subject line “Festival Coordinator - CSJ” by May 8, 2026 at 5:00pm ET.
2026 season is approaching,
stay tuned for our call for volunteers!
Become a Festival Sponsor
As a not for profit, Ground UP Dance Festival relies on funding, donations and sponsorships to help meet the needs of the festival and its artist. We are looking for sponsorships from local persons and businesses.
Grassroots Supporter | $100-$250
The lowest sponsorship option that supports artists fees. *Sponsors receive a shoutout in our digital program.
A Blooming Friend | $250-$450
This mid-tier pricing option supports artists fees, and accommodations and travel for guest artists from out of town. *Sponsors receive a shoutout in our digital program and 2 complementary tickets to the Mainstage show at Lake Ontario.
Tree Trunk Supporter | $500 ++
This pricing option raises monies towards artist fees, infrastructure costs for the festival like accessible chair set-up, dance floors, and location fees. *Sponsors receive a shoutout in our digital program, and their logo the homepage of the GUDF website, 2 complementary tickets to the Mainstage show at Lake Ontario, and 2 complementary tickets to the "2nd Stage" show at the theatre.
Donations are accepted by e-transfer to groundupdancefestical@outlook.com