Job Description

Therapeutic Arts Coordinator (FT, Temporary)

Wage:

$30-$35 per hour, dependent on experience

Hours:

30-35 hours per week

Contract:

January 2026 - March 2027 with potential to renew (grant funded position)

About The Reach

The Reach Gallery Museum is an award-winning public art gallery, local history museum, and regional archive serving Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley. We are a charitable non-profit organization committed to inclusive, community-centered programming that fosters creativity, connection, and lifelong learning.

About the Role

The Reach is seeking a compassionate, creative, experienced and organized Therapeutic Arts Coordinator to lead our new Therapeutic Arts Program, which serves unpaid adult caregivers aged 55+ in Abbotsford. This is a temporary, full-time position wholly supported by grant funding.

The Coordinator oversees the design, coordination, facilitation, and evaluation of therapeutic arts activities delivered through:

In-person therapeutic arts sessions at partner facilities Online video-based creative programming Take-home therapeutic arts activity kits
This is a public-facing, community-centered role focused on supporting caregiver well-being through accessible, trauma-informed creative experiences. In support of this, program goals are aligned with safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment.

Key Responsibilities

Program Design and Development

Design, create and test lesson plans for therapeutic[aw1] , accessible, and inclusive arts activities for unpaid caregivers aged 55+ who live in Abbotsford. For this program, caregivers are family, friends, and other community members who have provided unpaid care because of a relationship, not as a job or career, in the past 12 months. Screen, interview, and evaluate new and existing program participants, identifying participant goals and developing therapeutic activities which support them in their journey Ensure activities support emotional well-being, stress reduction, and social connection of clients Adapt therapeutic arts interventions for in-person, online, and at-home formats to increase accessibility Purchase and prepare program materials Track program expenses and adhere to program budget

Program Marketing

Work with staff to create digital and print marketing materials to assist with the promotion of the program and related events, using tools like Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, social media platforms, and Constant Contact. Grow program participation through networking, partner development, and community outreach.

In-Person Program Facilitation

Facilitate select therapeutic arts sessions in a group setting at The Reach and at partner locations Work with the Curator of Learning & Community Engagement to recruit, train, support and schedule additional Therapeutic Arts Program facilitators as needed Create welcoming, culturally safe, and joyful creative spaces Engage participants with diverse abilities, cultural backgrounds, and caregiving experiences

Online Content Creation

Plan and support the creation of short therapeutic arts videos posted to The Reach's YouTube channel Deliver accessible, easy-to-follow creative activities for participants to do at home, using common household materials Collaborate with The Reach team to coordinate filming and editing

Take-Home Activity Kits

Design and produce take-home, therapeutic arts activity kits Develop and produce clear instructions to include in the kits Coordinate kit distribution through community partners, including transporting kits to partner locations

Community Partnerships & Outreach

Liaise with partner organizations serving adult caregivers to coordinate scheduling and logistics of off-site programming, identify additional or alternative services and provide referrals Attend partner meetings and work with the Curator of Learning & Community Engagement to develop new program partnerships

Program Evaluation & Reporting

Track attendance, participation, and kit distribution data Assess program participants for eligibility based upon grant guidelines Evaluate the effectiveness of activities and suggest improvements in support of participant goals and objectives Gather partner and participant feedback to build and improve the program, and to support grant reporting Attend regular planning and check-in meetings with The Reach team

Equity and Inclusion

The Reach Gallery Museum is committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous peoples, racialized communities, people with disabilities, and individuals with lived caregiving experience. We understand that relevant skills and experience may come through cultural, community, and land-based work that is not always reflected in formal education. Transferable experience will be fully valued.

Qualifications

Post-secondary education or equivalent experience in: Art therapy / therapeutic arts / expressive arts therapies Community arts practice Visual arts Education, recreation therapy, or a related field Experience facilitating arts-based programming with adults and/or older adults Strong organizational, communication, and time management skills Comfortable appearing on camera for video-based programming Ability to work independently and collaboratively Access to reliable transportation for off-site programs Ability to lift and transport materials for off-site programs and kit distribution

Assets (Preferred)

Training in art therapy, expressive arts, or wellness-based creative practice Strong understanding of trauma-informed and accessible arts programming, including creating adaptable experiences for participants of varying physical abilities Experience working with caregivers, seniors, or vulnerable populations Experience creating compelling digital or video content Knowledge of caregiving communities and aging populations Experience with program evaluation or grant-funded projects Valid First Aid and CPR certification Strong working knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite

Working Conditions

This position has a three-month probationary period. This gives the successful candidate time to adjust to the new job and demonstrate their ability to perform the work and allows The Reach to assess the candidate's suitability for the position. Progress will be monitored and regular feedback provided by the Coordinator's supervisor. Combination of on-site work at The Reach and off-site partner locations Occasional evening or weekend work may be required Physically active role involving lifting and carrying bins of materials and supplies, setting up classroom spaces with tables and chairs, and kit assembly and transportation Ongoing public interaction with participants and partners

How to Apply

Please email a resume and cover letter as a single PDF outlining your interest and relevant experience to Andrea Orlosky, Curator of Learning & Community Engagement, aorlosky@thereach.ca. Use the subject line "Therapeutic Arts Coordinator Application" in your email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 15 months

Pay: $30.00-$35.00 per hour

Expected hours: 30 - 35 per week

Benefits:

On-site parking
Work Location: In person