• Position: Manager – Full time
• Reporting to: Board of Directors, Tjarlirli Art Indigenous Corporation
• Salary: $80,000 - $90,000 plus super, accommodation and allowances
• Leave: 6 weeks per annum plus time off in lieu up to 3 weeks per annum
• Contract: 12-months, renewable
• Location: Tjukurla, WA and Kaltukatjara, NT

Background

Tjarlirli Art Indigenous Corporation is an Aboriginal owned arts and community organisation run out of two remote art centres in the communities of Tjukurla in the Ngaanyatjarra lands of Western Australia and Kaltukatjara in the Pitjantjatjara Lands of the Northern Territory.

Established in 2006 Tjarlirli Art has been recognised as a source of culturally significant artwork produced by elders and has many young artists who are keen to carry on in the same tradition. The artwork has strong links with the Papunya Tula movement as families left Kintore and Kiwirrkurra to return to their homelands in the mid 1980s.

In 2016, Tjarlirli began managing a second art centre in Kaltukatjara. Tjarlirli and Kaltukatjara Art are now successful, and well-regarded western desert art centres.

Tjarlirli and Kaltukatjara Art aims to:

a. Facilitate art and craft activities to enable community members to develop their skills and participate in fulfilling activities.

b. Promote and strengthen individual and community cultural and social systems through art and craft activities.

c. Increase opportunities and self-esteem by acknowledging the economic and social value of Aboriginal art and culture

d. Facilitate the production and sale of art works.

e. Provide sustainable and culturally appropriate employment opportunities to alleviate disadvantage and poverty in Tjukurla and Kaltukatjara.

Represented by leading galleries, participants in national art awards and major Aboriginal art fairs, and works being acquired by numerous public collections, the artists continue to produce high quality artwork. These successes have created financial stability for Tjarlirli and Kaltukatjara Art, with the strong sales complemented by long-term operational support from the Federal Government. In turn, this stability enables Tjarlirli and Kaltukatjara Art to maximise support for artists and provide the best possible studio and professional development settings.

Position overview

The role of the Manager is to deliver a high-quality arts enterprise for the artists and communities of Tjukurla and Kaltukatjara. The Manager will lead the design and delivery of activities that generate social, creative and commercial opportunities for Tjarlirli and Kaltukatjara Art’s artists. At the centre of this model is the production of high-quality works of art, generated by a holistic artists studio. The Manager has overall responsibility for the day-to-day management and operations of the enterprise.

You will be employed by the Board of Directors, Tjarlirli Art Indigenous Corporation and, in collaboration with the Directors and artists, oversee all aspects of the Corporation’s financial management, governance and administration.

The role is based between the Tjukurla and Kaltukatjara communities on either side of the NT/WA border. Regular travel between Kaltukatjara and Tjukurla, and nationally is required. You will be required to travel to regional and interstate industry events, supporting the artists to attend and participate.

You are also required to supervise the studio staff and support and mentor a number of Aboriginal arts workers.

Position Description

Tjarlirli Art Indigenous Corporation is a successful and thriving arts enterprise operating two remote art centres in Tjukurla Community and Kaltukatjara Community. Our Art Centre Manager will have the skills and ability to build on our existing success and continue our sustainable community enterprise.

The Manager is responsible for the management of all aspects of Tjarlirli Art Indigenous Corporation including arts and artist support, administration, staff management, financial management, servicing an Indigenous governing body, marketing/sales/promotion, funding and cultural development/maintenance.

The Manager will support and encourage the development of artworks, mentor artists and assist their vision for cultural maintenance and development.

Working closely with the Board and artists, the Art Centre Manager will:

• Develop and deliver an annual program of creative, cultural and commercial activities
• Support the artistic and professional development of artists and arts workers
• Provide all art centre administration and operational management
• Supervise and manage studio staff, consultants, arts workers and volunteers
• Develop and manage the exhibition program
• Provide studio management and stock control
• Write and develop grant applications
• Provide effective project management
• Establish and maintain relationships within the contemporary art sector
• The marketing of art centre events and achievements
• Generate sales of artworks
• Have strong analytical skills for effective management of operations
• Have a highly developed sense of aesthetic; and
• Have a genuine commitment to Indigenous self-determination

This is a unique opportunity for an arts administration professional who is passionate about the creation of opportunities for communities to grow and strengthen. You must have an understanding of the importance of culture in this role. Tjarlirli and Kaltukatjara Art foster greater economic opportunity as well as cultural engagement. The artists are committed to ensure that their art centres will help keep local Aboriginal culture strong.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

1. Ability to manage a business, including staff management, financial administration and efficient office procedures.
2. An understanding of the contemporary Aboriginal art sector, ideally with experience of arts administration.
3. Highly developed aesthetic and curatorial skills, with a proven ability to assess works of art, nurture artistic talent and provide structured and sensitive feedback to artists.
4. Proven ability to work, live and communicate in a cross-cultural environment and negotiate complex social and cultural issues.
5. Flexibility, ability to multitask and work in a high-pressure environment.
6. Proficient IT skills.
7. Proven capacity and maturity to live and work in a remote, busy and often challenging environment.
8. Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
9. Current manual drivers’ license and the capacity to travel in remote areas.
10. Ability to travel extensively in support of Tjarlirli and Kaltukatjara Art's activities.

Highly Desirable

1. Experience working in remote Aboriginal art centres.
2. Understanding of copyright and intellectual property issues.
3. Previous experience in a leadership or supervisor position.

Other

You will be required to provide a National Police Clearance Certificate and a Working with Children Clearance before commencing employment.