Walkatjara is seeking a Gallery / Studio Assistant for its busy Art Centre in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural Centre, NT.

About Walkatjara Art

Walkatjara Art is Mutitjulu’s Art Centre, owned by the community through the Mutitjulu Community Aboriginal Corporation. It is governed by a Board of Anangu Directors through a subsidiary of MCAC (Gumlake Pty Ltd) and is located in the Cultural Centre of the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, NT.

Walkatjara Art operates as a studio space where artists from Mutitjulu create vibrant contemporary paintings, sharing stories of the local land, law and culture. Finished paintings are displayed in the surrounding gallery for sale to visitors of the National Park.

Walkatjara Art is a not for profit community enterprise. The sale of artworks from Walkatjara directly supports the artists and Mutitjulu Community.

Duties

The purpose of this role is to assist with customer service and sales in the gallery and to provide support to artists working in the studio space.

The Gallery and Studio Assistant is to work collaboratively with Walkatjara staff and artists to provide a high level of service to all Walkatjara customers and stakeholders in order to achieve organisational goals.

• Greeting gallery visitors, informing visitors about the artists, art centre and stories behind the paintings.
• Processing and documenting sales, including data entry into online SAM database.
• Un-stretching canvases, wrapping and packing artworks for transport.
• Answering the telephone and assisting with general email enquiries.
• Ensuring the gallery is clean and presentable for visitors and conforms with WH&S standards.
• Identify, label, price and catalogue artworks.
• Assist with stock replenishments and the postage of paintings.
• Assist with preparing canvas for artists - stretched or taped and primed to a professional standard.
• Assist with preparing paint for artists.
• Provide assistance and support to Walkatjara artists in the studio.
• Assist with additional administration duties.
• Assist with training and mentoring new Anangu staff.

Selection Criteria

Essential

• Demonstrated experience in providing a high level of customer service.
•  Excellent time management skills.
•  Ability to effectively prioritise tasks and work calmly in an environment with many competing demands.
•  Respect for Anangu culture and protocols, as well as an understanding of the importance of the maintenance of Anangu language and culture.
•  Ability to work cooperatively in a small team.
•  Proven written, oral communication and computer skills. 
•  Current car driver’s licence with no restrictions.
•  Ability to live in a remote location.

Desirable

• Demonstrated experience working in an art studio and/or gallery.
•  Ability to understand/speak Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara languages.
•  Demonstrated experience working in an Anangu or Indigenous community.
•  Demonstrated experience working in the Aboriginal Art industry.
•  An appreciation of art and knowledge of the contemporary art market.
•  Experience with SAM – Stories, Art, Money database.
•  An understanding of the broader Indigenous arts including music, film, broadcasting, new media activities.
•  Own transport is desirable, but not a requirement.
•  Tertiary Qualifications in a related field/s.

 Note: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are encouraged to apply.

Salary, Entitlements 

Salary will be negotiated, commensurate with experience and qualifications in accordance with the Amusement Events and Recreation Award 2010. The position is offered on a full-time contract basis, working 38 hours per week, with four weeks leave per annum and the option of salary sacrifice.

Rostered weekend and public holiday work will be required and remunerated in accordance with the Award.

Accommodation  

Accommodation, which may feature a private bedroom and living space with shared kitchen and bathroom, can be made available in nearby Yulara if required. A reasonable weekly rental rate will be charged.

A full position description is attached below.