JOIN OUR TEAM: Paprika is Hiring a Communications Producer!

Posted on July 29, 2026 by Julia Dickson

Application Deadline: Sunday, August 23, 2026 at 11:59pm Eastern Time

Contract Dates: September 7, 2026 - June 30th, 2027
Position: Communications Producer
Fee: $17,500.00 (approximately $28/hour for 600 hours of work and 25 hours of training/mentorship)
Region: Downtown Toronto, ON (Hybrid online and in-person work)
Term: Contract

WHAT THE PAPRIKA COMMUNICATIONS PRODUCER DOES:
The Communications Producer is a part-time role responsible for working with the Paprika team to plan, implement, and manage marketing, social media, and graphic design efforts leading up to and during the Festival (May 11-16, 2027). This position offers an excellent opportunity to take on a leadership role in promoting and marketing a youth performing arts festival. The successful applicant will have excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills, the ability to work well on a team, some knowledge of marketing strategy, and a passion for the performing arts. They will serve as a mentor for the Paprika cohort of artists whose work is presented within the Festival, and they will lead the annual Communications workshop for the artists. Basic graphic design and social media abilities are needed (Canva graphics are great! We love a TikTok trend!). 

This is an ideal role for an emerging arts worker, as it will include 25 hours of paid mentorship time with the outgoing Paprika Communications Producer as well as a small budget for Training and Workshops. If you are an administrator, someone with an eye for aesthetics, a screen-time that’s higher than you’d like to admit, a passion for spreadsheets, and strong interpersonal and copywriting skills, this opportunity is for you!  

HOW THE PAPRIKA COMMUNICATIONS PRODUCER WORKS:
The Communications Producer will begin their contract in September 2026 in order to lead the marketing efforts around the call for artists in October, and to begin planning and strategizing for the season alongside Paprika’s leadership team. This is a part time role, and it is common for Paprika staff to have other roles and commitments outside of their work with Paprika. Working hours will vary throughout the season and can be negotiated based on availability, but anticipated busy periods (with work hours approximating 25-35 hours per week) are March - May 2027.

The Paprika team works mostly online throughout the season, although in-person attendance is required at Training Days (once or twice a month between January-May), content filming days as needed, Tech and Festival, and some other staff meetings and socials as requested.

Tech and Festival week will be May 3 - 16, 2027 at the Native Earth Performing Arts' Aki Studio in Artscape Daniels Spectrum in Regent Park (585 Dundas St E). 

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR:

  • An emerging arts worker with an interest in the marketing and communications aspects of live performance.
  • Prior arts marketing experience is not required, but some relevant experience in content creation, graphic design, copy writing, management, and/or administration is preferred.
  • Someone with a passion for supporting emerging artists, new works, and live performance.
  • Someone with awareness of online trends and a connection to/understanding of young and emerging artists in Toronto.
  • Someone with a demonstrated dedication to accessibility and inclusion in your artistic practices and a passion to continue to grow in these areas.
  • Someone with an interest in working with young people of all abilities from all cultural and economic backgrounds.
  • There is no age limit to apply, however, we will be prioritizing applicants who identify as emerging and/or who are under the age of 35.
  • Paprika prioritizes, celebrates, and welcomes applications from folks from equity-seeking groups — including those who identify as Indigenous, Black, People of Colour, Trans, Non-binary, Queer, Fat, Disabled, Mad, Neurodivergent, low income, and intersections of those identities. 

Please note that at this time we are not looking to hire any full-time students or people located outside of the Greater Toronto Area.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Plan, create & execute a marketing plan for the festival that spans print, digital, and social media with input from the General Manager and Artistic Producer.
  • Ongoing design/development of marketing materials and assets for the Paprika Festival and ancillary events (image design and video creation).
  • Ongoing social media activity spanning our social media including regular Paprika updates, engagement with the Toronto theatre community, and our current social media following.
  • Draft, edit, and proof all components of the Festival program guide.
  • Oversee the Festival Graphic Designer on the creation and implementation of all physical and digital graphic assets for the Festival (poster, website branding, program guide).
  • Lead concept and planning conversations including branding, marketing and social media plans.
  • Updating all website content including: drafting copy, suggesting edits, archiving previous Festival information, creating new Festival landing page.
  • Create monthly newsletters through MailerLite, including the drafting of copy, newsletter design, and analyzing metrics. 
  • Coordinate photography coverage of all Paprika events, including rehearsals, overseeing with Festival Photographer and Videographer.
  • Creating and leading annual Communications workshop for Festival artists.
  • Ongoing artist correspondence, including gathering of promotional information for Festival shows and mentorship on creating show blurbs and artist bios.
  • Work with Festival Public Relations Specialist to oversee all publicity and interview requests, including reviewing press releases and organizing artist attendance as necessary.
  • Draft copy for Festival ads, manage social media ads, acquire Festival Program Guide ads, analyze ad and social media metrics.
  • Act as main liaison between the Festival and Printer.
  • Attend all staff meetings, including bi-weekly check-ins with General Manager.
  • Attend all Training Days throughout the season (7 total between January - May 2027).
  • Attend the Paprika Tech and Festival and support operations as requested, including welcoming artists and guests, set up and tear down, and capturing content (May 3-16, 2027).

ABOUT THE PAPRIKA FESTIVAL:
For the past 26 years Paprika Festival has been a year-round youth-led performing arts organization celebrating the work of young and emerging artists. All of the programs include a strong focus on mentorship and training, and are guided by the four core values of accessibility, artistic development, community and youth leadership. Paprika’s educational programs include Creators Unit, Playwriting Unit, Directors Lab, Design Lab, Indigenous Arts Program and Creative Producers. The units rotate bi-annually, meaning between 3-4 programs are run each season. These programs run between January and May, culminating in the annual Festival. For more information, please visit our website, www.paprikafestival.com.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please send us the following:

  • Resumé
  • Cover letter (1 page max) or short video (under 3 minutes) detailing why you are interested in the position and what you would bring to the role
  • Content support material (1 page max): Examples of content you have created (ie. a Tiktok, a newsletter, a poster, a graphic design)
  • Optional: Additional Support material (1 page max) which could include:
  • Example document showcasing your ability to organize/schedule, or communicate with a team (ie. a content calendar, schedule, report, email to staff.)
  • A letter of support from someone you worked with in the past

Email your application to Julia Dickson, General Manager, via julia@paprikafestival.com with the subject line: “Communications Producer - [YOUR NAME].”  

Applications are due by 11:59PM Eastern Time on Sunday, August 23, 2026.

ACCOMMODATION & ACCESS:

  • We will offer the following access measures for this application/interview process:
  • All interviewees will be paid $50 per interview attended
  • Interviews will take place over Zoom and will have auto-generated captions available
  • Interview questions will be sent in advance
  • Prior to applying, you may book a short 30-minute meeting with Julia to discuss this role and receive support on your application
  • We can provide a short extension for the application deadline upon request

If you have additional access needs, please do not hesitate to reach out to Julia (julia@paprikafestival.com) and we will do our best to accommodate. 

Paprika is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any kind. Paprika is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. Paprika will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on race, colour, religion or belief, sexuality, gender expression, family or parental status or any other legally protected grounds. Paprika accepts applicants of all ages.