JOB VACANCY

ART CENTRE MANAGER – WALAYIRTI ARTISTS

Background

Warlayirti Artists Aboriginal Corporation (WAAC) is located in Wirrimanu (Balgo) WA, 860 km north-west of Alice Springs along the Tanami Track and 270 km south of Halls Creek. Warlayirti Artists supports the art and culture of Indigenous people in the Kutjungkaregion (Wirrimanu, Kururrungku and Mulan), generating social and economic benefits that flow from the production and sale of their art.

‘Balgo Art’ is an important and developing brand in the national and international art market. Over the last 30 years Warlayirti Artists has developed into a nationally and internationally acclaimed centre for Aboriginal art that provides opportunities for many local artists to produce and sell fine art that is highly valued in the art market.

Warlayirti Artists operates within a community development framework, implementing community development principles and processes to maximise the participation of the Indigenous staff, board of directors and artists in the organisation. It is a 100% Aboriginal-owned and governed corporation, incorporated under the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander)Act2010.

Warlayirti Artists is a significant and dynamic remote area business, which demands a commitment to the aims of the organisation:

  • Promote, preserve and enrich cultures in the region
  • Provide appropriate economic opportunities for community members
  • Nurture and develop artistic and commercial excellence
  • Diversify creative and learning opportunities for community members

Position overview

The role of Art Centre Manager of Warlayirti Artists requires an applicant with a combination of both visual arts studio and industry marketingexperience and business management skills. The Art Centre Manager must also becommittedto living and working in a remote Aboriginal community. The Board of Warlayirti Artists will consider co-manager applications.

Position objectives

  • Leadership: Work with the Warlayirti Artists Board of Directors to sustainably lead the organisation andpromote the career development of emerging and established artists.
  • Sustainability: Capitalise on the organisation’s successes andensure sustainable operations for the organisation across ethical business management, human resources and infrastructure needs.
  • Working alongside Aboriginal people: Promote and encourage Aboriginal employment and participation in the Art Centre’s operations and activities.
  • Networked: Network and build mutually beneficial relationships with the wider arts sector, business, government agencies and local community organisations.
  • Governance: Strengthen the organisation with continued good governance training and practices.

ART CENTRE MANAGER

POSITION DESCRIPTION

SUMMARY

The Art Centre Manager is responsible for all aspects of the art centre’s operations. The position reports to the Warlayirti Artists board of directors, serves approximately 200 Aboriginal artists,and supervisesa team of Aboriginal art workers and CDP workers. The position is a one-year full-time contract, with the opportunity to extend.

DUTIES

Operational management

• Maintain best practice administrative procedures required in the day-to-day operation of the Art Centre including correspondence, business documentation, stock control, retail and wholesale sales, reporting, financial management and contract management.

• Implement and regularly review the corporation’s business and strategic plan, and operational plans, to ensure a sustainable and financially healthy future for the art centre.
• Manage all aspects of the corporation’s finances (including budgeting, banking, book-keeping and payments to artists), working closely with the accountants and auditor of the art centre and regularlyreporting to the art centre’s directors.

• Secure and appropriately manage operational and projectfunding in consultation with the art centre’s directors, including the preparation of funding submissions and proposals, reports and acquittals.

• Maintain and improve equipment, vehicle, buildings and facilities, ensuring that they are in line with WH&S standards.

• Protect and manage copyright and moral, cultural and intellectual property rights on behalf of represented artists.

• Assist artists to register for the resale royalty scheme and relevant collecting agencies.

• Respect and encourage maintenance of local languages, culture and tradition.

• Encourage Aboriginal employment: support, train and mentor Aboriginal staff.

• In accordance with Fair Work legislation and relevant awards and workplace agreements, recruit, employ and manage staff and consultants (including accountant and auditor); coordinate volunteers.

• Implement the projects and programs of the art centre as outlined in the business and strategic plan and as per funding requirements and guidelines.

Art production

• Order, maintain and distribute art materials. Assist artists and artworkers to prepare canvas, prepare paints and other art and craft materials.

• Facilitate the production of quality saleable artworks.

• Ensure professional provenance documentation by documenting and cataloguing completed artworks using the Stories Art Money (SAM) database.

• Facilitate professional development opportunities for artists and art workers.

• Organise bush trips for the production of artworks in country as appropriate.

• Ensure proper handling and storage of artworks and materials.

Governance and art centre leadership

• Recognise and respect existing traditional law and leadership frameworks as they impact on the governance of the art centre

• Assist or seek assistance in the integration of existing leadership and decision-making protocols and the governance requirements of the corporation.

• Hold regular meetings of the members and directors, ensuring translators are made available and meetings are conducted and documented in a valid manner.

• Develop and review art centre policy with members and the directors as required. Implement decisions/policy upon approval by the directors.

• Adhere to the principles of good governance applicable to an Aboriginal corporation.

• Encourage awareness and knowledge of good governance practice by the directors and members.

• Maintain a cooperative, flexible and harmonious relationship with members, the community, its council and other local organisations, as well as with external organisations and stakeholders and industry support services.

• Assist the directors to ensure the corporation meets all legislative obligations and responsibilities.

Marketing and promotion

• Ensure fair and ethical trade with artists.

• Develop/maintain/implement pricing, marketing and sales strategy in consultation with the directors.

• Raise the profile of the art centre by maintaining and cultivating existing relationships with art industry professionals and institutions.

• Organise and curate exhibition programs with commercial galleries and public institutions.

• Coordinate packaging and freight of artworks.

• Maintain supply of stock to partner retail outlets.

• Seek out and develop new outlets/markets as required.

• Actively promote the art centre online.

• Prepare and produce promotional material as required.

• Participate in exhibition and marketing opportunities as they arise with Desart and other industry supporters.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

  1. Tertiary qualifications or equivalent work experience in an arts or related industry.
  2. Strong and demonstrable understanding of the Australian and international art markets as they apply to the Aboriginal art industry.
  3. Demonstrated capacity to successfully seek funding and fulfil acquittal obligations.
  4. Proven organisational, leadership and management skills, including high level financial management skills.
  5. Arts marketing skills and experience, including a highly developed aesthetic sense and ability to constructively assess art; and experience in exhibition programming and coordination.
  6. Capacity to use art centre database systems, and manage digital and social media.
  7. Ability to coordinate a team approach and to perform in a high pressure environment.
  8. Proficient IT and social media skills, and proven administrative, written and oral communication skills.
  9. Driver’s license, experience in remote area travel and the ability to travel widely in support of Warlayirti Artists’ activities.
  10. Capacity to live and work in a remote location.
  11. A current Federal police clearance check or the ability to promptly obtain this.

Highly Desirable

  1. Previous experience in a similar role and/or experience working in aninter-cultural setting.

HOW TO APPLY

Please supply the following information when applying for the position:

• Brief covering letter setting out your interest in the position.

• Statement addressing the Selection Criteria. Please note: applications that fail to address the Selection Criteria will not be considered.

• A clear Curriculum Vitae that details relevant work history (please, no artist CVs).

• Name and contact details of three work-related referees.

If you have any questions about the position, please contactJasper Coleman, Project Officer, Desart on (08) 8953 4736.

Applications must be received by 9AM CST Monday 14 August

Applications areto be sent to the attention of Jasper Coleman:

We look forward to receiving your application.

ART CENTRE MANAGER
SALARY PACKAGE & CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

1. Award

Employment conditions are guided by the Amusement, Events and Recreation Award 2010. A 12-month initial contract will be offered to the successful applicant with option for extensions based on performance and operational funding.

2. Salary

The base salary is $65,000 (cash component) per annum depending on qualifications and experience relevant to the position. Competitive allowances and benefits include:

  • 9.5% superannuation
  • Salary sacrifice benefits (capped)
  • Free furnished accommodation and subsidised amenities
  • Six weeks annual leave with 17.5% leave loading
  • Other leave entitlements as per National Employment Standards
  • Contribution to relocation costs

3. Hours of work

Standard ordinary hours are based on 38 hours per week. However, some out-of-hours work will be required. Details will be discussed with shortlisted applicants.

4. Annual leave

Six weeks per annum on completion of 12 month’s service with 17.5% leave loading.

5. Remote Area Leave

Where approved by the Board, you may accrue and take time off in lieu, up to a maximum of 20 days per year and a maximum of fivedays per quarter. No more than five days of time off in lieu may be accrued and taken within each quarter.

6. Annual leave travel assistance

Following 12 months completion of service, $1000 is payable as a contribution towards travel costs associated with living in a remote Central Australian community.

7. Relocation assistance

A relocation allowance is applicable to this position at commencement and on termination. This will be discussed with shortlisted applicants at interview.

8. Long service leave

Long service leave will be paid in accordance with the Long Service Leave Act 1958 (WA).

9. Driver’s License

A current WA (Class C Manual) driver’s license is an essential requirement.

10. Superannuation

Warlayirti Artists makes superannuation contributions as per legislative requirements. These contributions can be paid into your nominated super account.

11. Accommodation

Comfortable, furnished accommodation is provided and utility bills for the accommodation are subsidised by the corporation. This will be discussed with shortlisted applicants at interview.

12. Other benefits and services

Professional development and attendance of seminars/conferences is supported, and provisions for this should be made in plans and budgets.

13. Other conditions

  • Staff must abide by the relevant section/s of the Indigenous Art Code.
  • Staff must follow Warlayirti Artists policy as regards personal purchases of artworks from Warlayirti Artists.

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