We have Three unique opportunities for innovation in a new team, promoting a flourishing, vibrant indigenous arts sector in South Australia! (see also our advert for Operations and Communications Manager).

About Ku Arts

Ku Arts is the South Australian peak body for Aboriginal art centres and artists. Since 1998 we have been providing advocacy, support services, creative skills and professional development opportunities for artists and arts workers across all stages of their careers; in support of a strong and vibrant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts sector in South Australia.

It is an exciting time for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts nationally and particularly in South Australia, with the success of Tarnanthi Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art and plans for a National Aboriginal Arts and Cultures Centre in Adelaide CBD, and the innovations in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Responsive to this shifting landscape, our strategy over the next few years is one of continued stabilisation and steady growth, with a focus on relationships, advocacy and professional service delivery.

Ku Arts is an Aboriginal owned and led visual arts organisation with a strong Board and governance. Based in new offices in the Adelaide CBD, it has a staff team of five, an annual budget in the vicinity of $700,000 plus generated project funding, and strong relationships across the sector.

About the Jobs

The Arts Program Managers are the leaders in designing and delivering Ku’s programs and events that promote and develop Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander engagement with the visual arts sector in South Australia.

You will work together as key members of the Ku team to build innovative arts programs from the ground up; support artists, art centres and communities in their arts practice to create amazing art works; and advocate for the sector.

Ku has an established plan for 2022 events and programs; and the Arts Program Managers will have key responsibility for the funding, development and delivery of these plans. You’ll be based at the Adelaide office, working with the CEO, Operations and Communications Manager (also newly appointed), and Admin Coordinator, contributing to the effective delivery of all Ku’s activities and operations in a collaborative team environment.

The roles are diverse, interesting and busy, with no two days the same. In any week, you might be helping to install an exhibition, providing advice to an Art Centre Manager on a governance issue, promoting and celebrating an opening, preparing a funding application or advocating for artists and art centres at an industry forum.

You’ll make a number of visits to the APY Lands and other regional areas throughout the year, as well as some interstate travel for exhibitions and events (away for up to a week at a time).

Please Note: While we are advertising two positions, they are the same in terms of scope of responsibilities and requirements. The programs differ only in the clients each program will work with.

1. Program Manager - Art Centres

The Art Centre Program Manager will work closely with the member art centres in Ceduna and the APY Lands to build relationships and support them to realise their artistic and commercial potential. This includes planned programs, events and activities that develop the Centres’ business capabilities, as well as creative and artistic professional development for the artists and art workers.

You’ll provide bespoke business support to each centre in response to needs as they arise, covering aspects such as governance, strategic and business planning, funding applications and management, marketing, and managing human resources processes and issues.

2. Program Manager - Statewide Indigenous Community Arts Development (SICAD)

The SICAD Program Manager’s role provides a range of professional services to artists working in regional communities outside the APY Lands where there is no access to community-owned art centres.

This includes creative and artistic professional development activities, events, resources, business development, and digital content development and delivery that meet the needs of Ku’s members and stakeholders. Securing and managing core SICAD program funding and seeking diverse funding sources for additional projects and programs is critical to the role. You will also contribute to the smooth running of Ku Arts’ general administration and business practices.

About You

• You’ll be an energetic, resourceful and mature manager who is passionate and knowledgeable about the workings of the visual arts sector; ideally in South Australia or in indigenous arts.
• You’ll have a strong understanding of business and arts management, a breadth of experience that enables maturity, autonomy and sound judgement; and a demonstrated ability to help others build their professional and creative capabilities. You’ll be organised, a great communicator and relationship builder, with a strong capacity for finding solutions and achieving results.
• With qualifications in the arts, art management or another relevant field, you’ll have experience working cross culturally, ideally with indigenous organisations and / or people in remote Australian communities.
• These positions would be very appropriate for an arts centre manager who wants to transition to a sector development role, using practical lived experiences of art centres to inform the role.
• The values of respect, integrity, culture and inclusiveness will resonate with you; and a community development approach along with respect for indigenous culture and self-determination is essential.

In addition to a negotiable salary $70,000-$80,000, superannuation and salary sacrifice arrangements, you’ll enjoy flexible hours, travel to locations never seen by most Australians, and an amazing professional opportunity in a brand new team.

Other Conditions:

• Flexible and out of hours work is required including regional travel to APY Lands and regional South Australia.
• Satisfactory National Police Clearance, a National Working with Children Clearance, the ability to obtain an APY Lands Permit, and evidence of full Covid-19 vaccinations and boosters are essential.
• Current South Australian Drivers licence and ability to drive a manual is required.

More Information

Please review the Information Pack and Position Descriptions, ATTACHED and available at www.mobct/client-recruiting. Should you have queries, please feel free to contact: Kate Horsey Matrix Consulting and Training via email: [email protected] using the subject line: Arts Program Managers x2 application via EthicalJobs or call Ph: 08 8985 1728.

A position description is attached.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.