ACO NextGen Communications Internship

The ACO Next Gen is seeking a student intern to contribute to our outreach initiatives, assist with programming, and lead their own research project.

Brief description of organization:

ACO NextGen is a group within the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario (ACO) dedicated to students and emerging professionals who share an interest in historic architecture and conservation. Since 2011, NextGen has led a series of programs and events for our members, including our annual Design Charrette and Job Shadow Program, Ontario Heritage Conference sponsorships, NextGen Awards, pub nights, building tours and lectures.

The ACO is a charitable organization operating through a network of autonomous local branches in communities across Ontario. ACO has been involved in preserving Ontario’s architectural and environmental heritage since 1933 by helping communities and owners preserve structures of architectural merit, and places of natural beauty or interest.

Description of placement:

We are constantly seeking to reach more students and emerging professionals with the goal of helping them in their careers and creating interest and awareness of the importance of heritage preservation. The intern will help us reach new members through social media, programming, and will have the opportunity to create and lead their own projects based on their interests.

This is an opportunity to learn about working at a non-profit, understand the main players in the heritage sector, and spend time researching, writing, and publishing about their topics of interest. The intern will report directly to the ACO NextGen Chair and work in consultation with the ACO NextGen Outreach Director, meeting regularly to discuss work.

The intern should have strong writing skills, graphic design skills (for social media), and an interest in heritage, history, or architecture. They should be able to work independently and take initiative. We are flexible in working with the interests of the intern.

Outreach:

• Assist with online outreach and promotion using Instagram and Facebook by creating heritage-related posts, researching news and job opportunities.
• Contribute to website redesign project.

Research

• Research topics of choice related to architecture, art, or heritage, in consultation with ACO NextGen Executives, and submitting regular articles to be published on the ACO NextGen Blog.
• Research organizations in the heritage sector.
• Contribute findings to the TOBuilt database, if relevant.

Programming

• Assist with the planning and execution of NextGen programming to engage members, including planning heritage walking tours, a speaker series, or NextGen’s annual Charrette.
• Assist with the development of NextGen Groups at provincial branches

Misc.

• Other duties as assigned

Timing or hours of placement: 8-10 hours per week/12 weeks.

Interested students should send an application by March 26, 2021 to Dr Jessica Mace (jessica.mace@utoronto.ca). Applications should include a letter of interest (including any relevant coursework or experience), and a resume. Please indicate to which posting you are applying. Prerequisite for application: 8 half FAH courses.