Event Coordinator

Founded in 2013 by Alexandra Babbel and a group of local arts leaders, Opera Kelowna is a registered, non-profit, charitable status society and member of the Association for Opera in Canada. In 2020, company leadership changed and the company is now led by Rosemary Thomson, Artistic Director, and Brianna Wells, Managing Director, with support from an active and supportive Board of Directors. Opera Kelowna is a proud member of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce.

Our Mission:
Crafting unique and inviting opera for the Okanagan.

Our Vision:
Be an innovative opera company that celebrates artistic imagination and connects with our community.

Our Values:

1. Accessibility: we create opportunities for everyone to engage in opera.
2. Collaboration: we are committed to strengthening our community and our art form through reciprocal relationships.
3. Growth: we build appreciation for opera; capacity of our artists; and knowledge of our board and staff.
4. Imagination: we are curious and courageous in approaching opportunities, art and challenges.
5. Inclusivity: we build practices that continually address biases and barriers that may negatively impact those who work with and for us.
6. Integrity: we do what we say; we are accountable to our partners, artists, supporters, and audiences.
7. Sustainability: we are focused on building our organizational capacity and resilience for the long term.

The Event Coordinator supports public facing and internal programming within Opera Kelowna’s summer activities. The core activities are supporting the planning, pre-event internal communication and onsite support for Opera Kelowna various event and education programming from July - August 2025. Emphasis will be on the Opera Under the Stars event (July 10), and the Valley Opera Summer Intensive, an emerging artist training program, which supports post-secondary and early career opera artists in professionalizing their performance and communications skills. This program coincides with rehearsals and performance for our mainstage production of La Traviata in August. This role has the opportunity to take on increasing responsibility and leadership, as suited to the successful candidate.

This is a 9 week placement beginning on June 25, 2025. Start date can be flexible.

Average 30 hours / week (some evening and weekend work expected; schedule set during hiring). Mileage can be reimbursed if the Coordinator uses their own vehicle for work-errands.

Opera Kelowna is committed to equity in its policies, practices, and programs, supports diversity in its performing, learning, and work environments, and ensures that applications for members of underrepresented groups are seriously considered. All qualified individuals who would contribute to the further diversification of our company community are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:

1. Ensuring event and planning schedules are accurate, liaising with event and programming venues, act as a point person for artists and participants, and ensure program goals are upheld.
2. Help design and deliver patron experience opportunities during mainstage performance of La Traviata (Aug 22 and 23, 2025).
3. Support the Managing Director in coordinating front of house and patron services support for Opera Under the Stars and young artist performances.
4. Act as venue liaison for Valley Opera Summer Intensive, ensuring instructors, participants, and partners are all clear on scheduling and access needs.
5. Ensure all documentation regarding VOSI program is accurate, stored appropriately in Google drive folders, and shared as needed with other team members.
6. Manage the housing move-in and move-out for all participants and instructors in the VOSI program.
7. Assist team members with load in and load out of production and other community events or marketing efforts as needed.
8. This position requires punctuality and on-time arrival at all rehearsals, performances and events.
9. Office tasks can be done on a flexible schedule, excepting regular production and team meetings, which will be scheduled at the beginning of the appointment. Rehearsal, programming and performance tasks will be laid out at the beginning of the appointment. Some evening and weekend work will be required.
10. Learn and work within Opera Kelowna’s Neurodiversity protocols.

Qualifications:

1. Excellent time management and organization skills.
2. Strong written and verbal communication skills, including knowledge of social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn).
3. An affinity for the performing arts.
4. Experience in coordinating programs or events is an asset.
5. Strong teamwork skills.

Organization: Opera Kelowna
Deadline: Apr. 30, 2025

The BC Alliance for Arts + Culture is honoured to work on the traditional, unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations, and 240 other Indigenous communities across BC.