Art Centre Manager (readvertised)

About Us

Utopia Art Centre is 100% Indigenous owned and community directed. The Art Centre supports emerging and established artists. It provides a space for intergenerational learning and cultural expression in the Homelands. We’re keeping our generations stronger, through knowledge on our land. Located 250kms northeast of Alice Springs, Utopia Art Centre works across 16 remote homelands. Utopia has a diverse history with artists gaining international recognition for batik in the 1980’s before transitioning to painting. Many senior artists have travelled and exhibited across the world, including the famed Emily Kam Kngwarreye. The bold brushwork and expressive colour that set Utopia artists apart has been continued by the younger generation of children and grandchildren painting today.

About the Opportunity 

The Art Centre Manager supports the delivery of high-quality arts and cultural programming for the artists of the Utopia region.  The Manager will help design and deliver activities that generate social, creative and commercial opportunities for Utopia Art Centre’s artists.  The Manager has overall responsibility for the day-to-day management and operations of the Centre, including implementing the art centre’s business plan. The Art Centre Manager reports to the CEO and acknowledges the overseeing direction of the Centre’s operations by the Board of the Urapuntja Aboriginal Corporation (UAC).  

Benefits

We have dedicated team members, comprehensive benefits, conditions and pay. Our greatest asset is our Aboriginal Traditional Owners and our Aboriginal staff, who provide guidance and support in every aspect of our service.

The Corporation offers some of the most comprehensive employment benefits in Australia:

Salary

·        Base Salary Art Centre Manager – $90,000 pa plus superannuation

·        Yearly salary review

·        Paid travel allowance (as required)

·        Comprehensive salary packaging which may include everyday living; meals and entertainment; mortgage and loans; electronic devices; novated leasing and superannuation,

Conditions 

·        6 weeks annual leave per annum

·        Additional remote area leave per annum

·        Professional development and 2 weeks study leave per annum

·        Paid relocation assistance

Free Accommodation in Arlparra 

·        Comfortable 2 bedroom fully furnished house (shared) situated in the township of Arlparra

·        Free mobile broadband and landline phone service

·        Free utilities including power and water

·        Fenced yard (pets permitted)

Duties

Arts and Cultural Support

·        In consultation with the artists and the Urapuntja Aboriginal Corporation’s Directors, support the development of arts and cultural expression at Utopia Art Centre.

·        Coordinate the studio in Arlparra for use by community members of various age and experience and in multiple mediums, including attracting new artists.

·        Design and deliver arts and cultural programming, including skills development, workshops and audience engagement for members.

·        By agreement endorsed by UAC with the artists, and artists groups, support and facilitate artists to produce, market and sell high quality art.

·        Travel with artists as required to attend exhibitions, events, on-country camps and meetings.

·        Coordinate the post-production of artworks.

·        Monitor artists output to ensure work is set aside for exhibition, awards, fairs and tours.

·        Identify and facilitate training development opportunities for artists and staff, including arts worker training and support. 

Studio Operations

·        In consultation with UAC responsibility for ordering, managing and distributing professional grade art materials.

·        Support cultural development/maintenance, including opportunities for inter-generational transmission of knowledge and cultural expression.

·        Supervise and support arts and cultural workers.

·        Coordinate and support the display and sale of art and cultural work in Arlparra for tourists, visitors etc.

·        Ensure there is no conflict of interest with the values and integrity of Utopia Art Centre and UAC.

Sales and Marketing

·        Utilise gallery spaces at the Art Centre to maximise the exhibition and sale of locally made Indigenous art.

·        Develop and maintain relationships and manage consignment agreements and contracts with ethical commercial galleries to enhance the long term sustainability of the Art Centre and the artists it represents.

·        Develop and maintain relationships with public galleries and institutions as well as art dealers, collectors and private customers.

·        In collaboration with the CEO, develop and implement new marketing campaigns which promote the Art Centre and its artists (campaigns should include advertising as well as print and web-based media).

·        Further develop the domestic, national and international export markets for locally produced artwork.

·        Ensure that systems are in place to address enquiries promptly and to gain feedback on quality of service.

Artist Management and Support

·        Source opportunities for artists to promote their work through exhibitions, awards, art fairs and other presentation mediums (eg. public speaking, media interviews, in publicaitons).

·        Manage commissions, royalties and any other special contract and payments on behalf of Art Centre member artists.

·        Maintain provenance records and ensure that controls are in place to protect intellectual property.

·        Support artists living and working on homelands with the provision of quality tools, equipment and materials for the creation of artwork.

·        Assist artists to translate and document traditional cultural knowledge and practices.

·        Foster an active Indigenous artist’s network to play a leading role in the development and direction of artist projects.

·        Research and source skills development and funding opportunities for emerging artists.

·        Maintain a working relationship with Homeland Schools to foster development of the arts with school children. 

Relationships

·        Develop and maintain strong relationships with the Corporation, Employees, Artists, Government bodies and external stakeholders. 

Facility Management

·        Oversee the day-to-day operation of a safe, busy, financially successful and professionally run community based Art Centre including galleries and artist studios.

·        Provide supervised, equipped and stocked working spaces for artists to create a range of art forms.

·        Liaise with CEO in the delivery of any capital works upgrades.

·        Ensure the Art Centre is maintained as a healthy workplace by overseeing regular cleaning, building securing, repairs, upgrades and maintenance.

Administration

·        Administer UAC’s purchasing policy as it applies to the Art Centre.

·        Ensure the smooth and professional operation of all Art Centre business systems and administration procedures.

·        Oversee the maintenance of the Art Centre’s catalogue of artists and artworks, ensuring artists biographies and artwork stories are photographed and documented.

·        Ensure the maintenance and responsible use of the Art Centre vehicle and other equipment.

·        Ensure regular monitoring and purchasing of stock, equipment and supplies and maintain the stock control system (SAMS).

·        Ensure delivery of a professional on-site pack and freight service for artwork sold by the Art Centre.

·        Ensure that insurances are adequate, operational and up-to-date and review as needed.

·        Be responsible for complying with relevant occupational health and safety legislation and Centre policies and procedures as they relate to this position.

·        Oversee the corporation’s procedure for payment incentives to the Artists. 

Financial Management

·        Ensure sound management and record keeping of all facets of Art Centre finances including income and expenditure and artist payments.

·        Manage all Art Centre funding applications, grant reporting conditions and acquittals and maintain good relationships with funding bodies in conjunction with the CEO.

·        Set and meet annual sales targets and seek out new sources of income through sales and grants.

·        Manage projects budgets, report and liaise with the accounting and funding body.

Employment and Training

·        As funding permits: recruit, train and supervise Indigenous staff to operate the Art Centre and deliver its range of services.

·        Manage the Art Centre team and ensure the Art Centre is a positive, supportive working environment for staff and artists.

·        Source and coordinate art skills training opportunities in response to artist priorities, needs and interests.

Visitors and Cultural Tourism

·        Ensure Art Centre galleries are functional, well presented and promote the work of the artists.

·        Ensure the coordination of Art Centre activities for visitors and liaise with artists on artist led culture tours and activities.

·        Assist visitors with local accommodation, transport and cultural information queries.

Organisational Integrity

·        Ensure the rights of artists are upheld with respect to: Copyright, Intellectual and Cultural Property,  Resale Royalty Rights and the recommendations of the Australian Indigenous Art Code of Conduct.

·        Ensure there is no conflict of interest with the staff, including yourself, and the independent integrity of the Art Centre.

Selection Criteria

To be considered for the Art Centre Manager role with the Corporation you must address the following key Selection Criteria:     

·        Graduate Degree in the Arts, Arts administration or related field/s

·        Substantial experience in arts administration or a related field

·        Understanding of the Aboriginal art industry, contemporary arts practice and the broader visual arts sector and/or relevant tertiary qualifications.

·        Demonstrated successful experience in sourcing and managing funding grants and philanthropic support.

·        Well-developed small business management capabilities including sales and marketing, financial administration and efficient office procedures.

·        Understanding of Indigenous Copyright and Intellectual Property.

·        Understanding of professional gallery practice and curating, with contemporary knowledge of Arts industry standards and policies.

·        Demonstrated understanding of governance requirements and commitment to Indigenous leadership and self-determination.

·        Outstanding analytical and problem-solving abilities with proven ability to analyse processes and ensure continuous improvement

·        Proven ability to develop effective working relationships with members, employees, stakeholders and clients

·        Excellent communication, interpersonal and presentation skills

·        Ability to generate ideas for business improvement

·        Current manual driver’s license, 4Wheel Drive experience or the ability to undertake a 4WD training  

Desirable

·        Understanding of and experience with Aboriginal community controlled organisations, delivery of municipal services and/or local government well regarded

·        Remote area living experience

National Police Clearance (within 3 months), NT Ochre Card (working with children) check and Open drivers licence are mandatory for these roles

 How to Apply?

Please provide a covering letter with responses to each of the selection criteria along with your resume detailing your previous experience and qualifications, with two referees.

Your application should be addressed “Utopia Art Centre Art Centre Manager Position Confidential’ and submitted to  Lisa@accountsplusmore.com.au or contact 0438718480 for further information.

Applications must be received by 9am Monday (AEST) July 14th 2024 

Applicants that do not address the selection criteria will not be considered.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.

Please familiarise yourself with  the Utopia Art Centre website at https://www.utopiaartcentre.com.au