CCBI Speaker Series: Navigating Work in Arts & Culture

You are completing an arts degree, aiming to work in the arts and culture sector – and then the pandemic hit, now what? Although the arts and culture sector has been negatively impacted by the pandemic, there is a steady increase of jobs in the sector as arts organizations slowly recover. In this session, you’ll learn about tips, tools, and resources that will help you start your creative arts career.  

Takeaways: 

  • What jobs exist for an emerging arts professional 
  • Best practices for applying for positions 
  • Common and critical skills to thrive 

Register on Eventbrite

Speakers: 

Mona Afshari, Marketing & Communications Manager, WorkInCulture 

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Mona Afshari, is an arts and culture marketing and communications specialist. Over the last sixteen years, Mona has worked for arts organizations across Canada developing and implementing business and marketing plans, as well as educational programs for diverse audiences. With a Bachelor’s in Visual Arts, a Master’s in Art Education, and Graduate Diploma in Management, Mona is determined to bridge the gap between the arts and business through her marketing efforts. As the Marketing & Communications Manager at WorkInCulture she supports the professional lives of artists and cultural workers by promoting business skills and career development resources. Mona is also the producer and host of WorkInCulture’s Success Stories podcast - covering employer and cultural worker perspectives on securing employment in the arts. 

Diane Davy, Executive Director, WorkInCulture 

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Diane Davy is the Executive Director of WorkInCulture (WIC), a not-for-profit arts service organization that supports the professional lives of artists, creative and cultural workers and the organizations that support and engage them.  

Davy is also the President of Castledale, a consulting company specializing in the business of the arts and entertainment sector. Her areas of expertise include strategic business planning, corporate structure and management, marketing strategies, revenue generation, board governance, project management and other related topics.