Art Centre Manager

About the community and Papulankutja Artists

Papulankutja Artists is an Aboriginal owned not-for-profit corporation operating in the Blackstone Community on the Ngaanyatjarra Lands in Western Australia. Papulankutja (Blackstone) community is approximately 900kms west of Alice Springs and 1575kms north-east of Perth. As Yarnangu custodians, the artists play a major role in maintaining culture, law, and storytelling practices which are still relevant across the Ngaanyatjarra Lands. Papulankutja artists are committed to achieving positive economic, social and cultural outcomes for Yarnangu.

The artists have participated in major collaborative exhibitions over the years including Songlines: Tracking The Seven Sisters for the National Gallery of Australia collection in Canberra and Ngurra which showed at South Australia Museum. Papulankutja participates annually in key industry events such as Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, Revealed Exhibition for Emerging Aboriginal Artists, Desert Mob and Tarnanthi. The paintings are available for sale through reputable galleries and directly from Papulankutja Artists website and all proceeds are returned to the artists and their organisation. For more information, check out https://papulankutja.com.au/the-art-centre/

This is a unique opportunity for a professional who is passionate about Aboriginal arts and supporting communities to grow and strengthen via arts-based outcomes. A high level of intercultural competency is vital.

About You

Ideally you have had experience managing an Aboriginal art centre or similar experience in arts administration. Your duties will include the day-to-day operations of the art centre including tasks such as budgeting and finances, funding management, retail and sales, staff supervision, resourcing, collections management and marketing. Your high level of intercultural competency allows you to communicate and build relationships across various sectors and cultural backgrounds with ease, and you are able to adapt to last minute changes easily. You have had experience leading a small team of diverse staff and are a keen supporter of self-determination and arts-based outcomes.

You have a passion for the arts and understand the national Aboriginal arts landscape, including knowledge of relevant art fairs, exhibitions, prizes, copyright, intellectual property and licensing agreements. You recognise and respect existing traditional law and leadership frameworks, and understand their impact on art centre and community governance.

Your salary package will include a salary range between $75,000-85,000 (depending on experience), superannuation as per current legislation, 6 weeks annual leave and additional salary sacrifice packaging. Accommodation, utility bills and relocation costs are included in this position.

Next Steps/How to apply

Go to https://desart.com.au/job-opportunities to download the full job package.

For all enquiries, including enquiries regarding accessibility, please contact Mellisa Kramer, Desart on 0427 710 288. Applications that have not addressed the Selection Criteria will not be considered. Desart is the not-for-profit peak industry body for 38 Central Australian Aboriginal Art & Craft Centres and the Papulankutja Artists Board of Directors has engaged Desart to assist them in the recruitment of their new Art Centre Manager.

Successful candidates will be asked to consent to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check. Applicants from all cultural backgrounds, genders, ages and disabilities are invited. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.