• Primary Location: Ngurrawaana community, 1.5 hrs drive from Karratha, Western Australia. Includes period of FIFO work to Juluwarlu Goolagatup Studio, in Heathcote Perth, with regional and interstate travel.
• Employment: Full-time, 38 hours per week, Monday to Friday. Flexible arrangements and TOIL for potential weekend work hours and travel.
• Status: 1.0 FTE – flexible), 24 months Contract (with view for extension).
• Reports To: CEO Lorraine Coppin - Strategy and Creative Program Direction; General Manager (Workplan)
• Salary: $100,000 with 12% Superannuation.
• Benefits: A work car use to and from Work; 5 (five) weeks Annual Leave; Remote Area Allowance, Accommodation provided in Ngurrawaana community and Perth when required.
• Probationary Period: There will be a probationary period of three months with a performance review at the end of this period, carried out by the Juluwarlu CEO. Continuing employment will be confirmed subject to satisfactory performance.

About Juluwarlu

Juluwarlu Group Aboriginal Corporation (JGAC) is a vibrant and self-determined Yindjibarndi organisation based in Ngurrawaana on Yindjibarndi Country in Western Australia. Established in 2000 by Yindjibarndi Elders and community members, Juluwarlu was founded to preserve revitalise and promote our Yindjibarndi culture.

At the core of Juluwarlu’s work is a nationally recognised cultural archive meticulously built over decades. This archive encompasses Yindjibarndi knowledge, stories, songs, language, ceremonies and oral histories. It serves as a foundation for a wide range of intergenerational cultural maintenance programmes and storytelling initiatives across Yindjibarndi Country.

These programmes include cultural immersion camps, performance and bush theatre, bush foods cooking and cultural tourism, publishing, digital media and cultural archive interactivity and animation. Furthermore, they support the development of multi-arts creative industries.

Juluwarlu is founded governed and directed by Yindjibarndi Nation cultural leaders and Elders. Widely respected for its cultural integrity, community-driven empowerment purpose and ambitious creative vision, Juluwarlu’s work spans local regional and national contexts. We have important stories to share both locally and globally. Our programmes and projects respond to community priorities and generate tangible social, cultural and economic outcomes for Yindjibarndi people.

Juluwarlu Art Group is a vibrant and growing hub for contemporary Ngaarda artistic and creative practice. Our artists experiment across diverse mediums including painting textiles sculpture performance puppetry film photography and installation. The Art Group supports both cultural expression and economic development for all Ngaarda artists. They’ve been featured in major events like the Perth Festival Sydney Biennale, Tarnanthi Festival Aichi Triennial and the NATSIAA Telstra Awards. More recently some of our Elders and artists’ work has been acquired by state and national gallery and museum collections and will be part of the 2026 Sydney Biennale Festival Remembrance.
Juluwarlu maintains a base and arts studio at Ngurrawaana Community and a working studio/office at Goolugatup in Heathcote, Perth. This latter space is set to expand into a new gallery and retail space and private studio in Subiaco in 2027.

We’ve won national recognition and awards across visual arts literature and cultural heritage and have established strong partnerships across the arts academic philanthropic corporate and government sectors. We’re an organisation led by culture grounded in law and committed to building opportunities for current and future generations of Ngaarda people through creativity innovation and collective leadership.

Position Purpose:

The Creative Program & Arts Studio Manager is a crucial role within Juluwarlu Art Group. It plays a central part in delivering Juluwarlu’s vision across various cultural, artistic, community and public event activities. This managing role supports creative cultural and artistic projects, artists’ daily practice, exhibitions and events. The responsibilities span Yindjibarndi Country at Ngurrawaana and the surrounding Pilbara region, as well as our Studio and Offices in Perth.

This position is foundational to Yindjibarndi cultural maintenance and community empowerment. It involves training and skill development, healing and wellbeing programmes and aligns with the Juluwarlu Group’s Strategic Plan, Ngurrawaana Community Strategy, Rangers Programme and the Walking Tall and Proud Programme. Collaboration with Ngaarda people of all ages is essential.

Under the guidance of Juluwarlu’s CEO and Board, and in collaboration with artists and the team, you’ll help design and deliver activities that create social, creative and commercial opportunities. This work hinges on the day-to-day management and operations of the Studio, including contributing to planning, policies and procedures.

Your responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Managing the Studio’s day-to-day operations.
• Contributing to planning, policies and procedures.
• Supporting creative cultural and artistic projects.
• Facilitating artists’ daily practice.
• Organising exhibitions and events.
• Collaborating with Ngaarda people of all ages.
• Aligning with the Juluwarlu Group’s Strategic Plan, Ngurrawaana Community Strategy, Rangers Programme and the Walking Tall and Proud Programme.
• Supporting community members’ empowerment through training and development.
• Promoting healing and wellbeing.
• Ensuring the Studio’s success and growth.

Creative Program Leadership

• Support the CEO and Juluwarlu Art Group’s artistic development. This involves leading facilitation of creative and cultural programme development through workshops and residencies in both Country and metropolitan contexts. You’ll also be involved in programme planning.
• Contribute to strategic planning for the Juluwarlu Artists’ Group. This will enhance studio operations, artistic opportunities and funding sustainability. Ensure all enterprise activities align with Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property protocols and are formally approved by the CEO.
• Broker and facilitate the placement of Juluwarlu artists’ works with galleries festivals and institutions.
• Empower, mentor and supervise artists and arts workers. This ensures studios are positive supportive working environments for everyone.
• Assist the CEO with governance processes, strategic reviews, risk planning and reporting to stakeholders as needed.
• Foster a culture of cultural and professional empowerment, accountability, collaboration and excellence, in line with Juluwarlu’s values.

Arts Studio Operations

• Manage the day-to-day operations of the Ngurrawaana studio, acting as the primary base. This involves assisting artists with their creative practice, offering encouragement and preparing high-quality materials like paint mixing, canvas cutting and priming.
• Support the Goolagatup studio, a secondary site, by facilitating artists’ creative practice. This includes ensuring materials are supplied and systems are aligned.
• Foster artistic development through mentoring, skill-sharing and encouraging exploration of new materials and techniques.
• Maintain the art room by ensuring cleanliness and readiness at the end of each day. This includes washing brushes and closing paint containers.
• Document stories biographies and cultural narratives related to artworks and artists.
• Organise and manage artist timelines and deadlines for exhibitions awards and other commitments.
• Oversee the documentation of artworks, including photographing, cataloguing and storing them by category such as awards exhibitions and sales.
• Coordinate the storage and preservation of completed artworks to maintain quality and accessibility.
• Supervise arts workers, managing their daily tasks schedules and timesheets.

Community Engagement and Development

• Collaborate with the CEO and the wider Juluwarlu team to align studio activities with community cultural obligations and opportunities.
• Encourage and support young people’s participation in creative practice both in the studio and through external activities.
• Foster multi-artform exploration by supporting artists in experimenting with diverse mediums and creative practices.
• Support the professional development of arts workers by identifying and coordinating training opportunities.
• In the Financial Management, Sales & Growth team, you’ll play a key role in ensuring sound programme financial management and revenue growth.

Your responsibilities include.

• Managing the programme budget with the support of the General Manager and Chief Operating Officer.
• Tracking and documenting studio activities and data to support funding applications acquittals and reporting requirements.
• Processing online artwork sales and maintaining accurate records of income generation.
• Coordinating timely and accurate packing and freight of artworks for exhibitions online sales and other commercial opportunities.
• In the Marketing and Communications department, you’ll capture photographs and collect content to promote artists and their work across social media websites and other marketing platforms. You’ll also collaborate with the Juluwarlu team to build the profile of the Juluwarlu Artists’ Group and individual artists.
• For special projects, you’ll work with the CEO and the Juluwarlu team to contribute to ambitious artistic and cultural projects across various art forms. Additionally, you’ll support the delivery of multi-disciplinary initiatives and exhibitions that showcase Yindjibarndi cultural expression and artistic innovation.

Work Health and Safety

All employees are required to comply with workplace health and safety policies and procedures, take reasonable care for their own safety and others, report hazards and participate in required training.

Cultural Safety and Equal Opportunity

Juluwarlu Art Group is committed to a culturally safe, inclusive and respectful workplace. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. All staff must demonstrate respect for Yindjibarndi cultural authority and governance.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential Selection Criteria

1. Experience in art studio operations, including ordering and maintaining materials, assisting artists with day-to-day needs, and preparing works for exhibitions, awards, and markets.
2. Experience in fostering artistic development and working with artists to develop works of art.
3. Strong organisational skills, including the ability to manage day-to-day operations, and maintain efficient office and studio procedures with support from other staff.
4. Effective communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build strong relationships with artists, team members, partners, and external stakeholders.
5. Flexibility, adaptability, and ability to multitask while working in a high-pressure and cross-cultural environment.
6. Proven capacity to work in a remote setting, demonstrating maturity, resilience, and an ability to navigate cross-cultural challenges.
7. Current driver’s licence and willingness to travel within remote areas.

Desirable Selection Criteria

1. Understanding of the contemporary Aboriginal and broader visual arts industry, including knowledge of art prizes, markets, exhibition opportunities, and emerging trends.
2. Experience reporting to or working with Aboriginal Boards and community members. Understanding of copyright and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP), including respecting cultural protocols.
3. Experience with photography, videography, and artwork documentation to support marketing and archival needs.
4. Knowledge or experience supporting people with disabilities or additional access needs.
5. Experience contributing to digital sales, online platforms, or retail activities in an arts or creative business environment.

Employment Considerations

To be considered for this position applicants must be able to satisfy the following appointment prerequisites by providing the following before commencing employment:

• Current WA ‘C’ class driver’s licence;
• Current Working with Children Check;
• Completion of 100-point identification check;
• Pre-employment medical, including drug & alcohol screen meeting the requirements
  for the position;
• Provide rights to work in Australia verification (where relevant)

APPLICATION - WHAT TO INCLUDE

The selection criteria are described above. Your application should comprise of the following documents:

Cover Letter

This should address the selection criteria using examples to illustrate how you meet each one, and a summary of your background and arguments supporting your suitability for the position. Maximum of three pages.

Resume (Curriculum Vitae)

This should include:

• A summary of your employment history starting with the most recent. Please include dates, name of employer, position title and a brief description of your role and responsibilities
•  Any relevant training courses and educational history
• Any activities outside of your regular employment which are relevant to the position you are applying for (eg volunteer work, languages spoken, memberships and affiliations)
• Referees – the names and contact details of two work related referees, including the nature of your working relationship with referee (eg manager). Please ensure you have contacted your referees for approval before nominating them.