using the subject line: Studio Manager - Aboriginal Art Centre - Kalka enquiry via EthicalJobsThis position offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity for a truly unique professional experience on-country, while making a significant contribution to the artists and their communities at Ninuku Arts, in the far north-west corner of South Australia.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Working alongside a team of Anangu art workers, the Studio Manager is responsible for managing all aspects of the studio space, and for supporting artists (at a variety of points in their career) to make their art and develop their professional capabilities. Some of the artists are elderly and/or disabled, and your compassionate support is important to their wellbeing.

The Studio Manager also works closely with the Art Centre Manager in the overall management of the Centre and the exhibition schedule, to ensure that the vision is achieved and compliance obligations and sustainability are maintained.

At times, the Studio Manager will take on some of the responsibilities of the Art Centre Manager when they are working off-community. In 2023 this will include a period of 8 weeks from mid-May to early July, when the Art Centre Manager will be working off-site. This will include being the point of contact on the ground, managing transport to and from the art centre and liaising with the manager on decisions. During this time, you will be supported by a studio assistant.

Qualifications and / or relevant experience in visual arts practice and/ or arts management are required; and respect and understanding of cross-cultural environments and knowledge of contemporary Aboriginal art is important. You must also have the personal skills and resilience to work closely with a diverse range of artists and experience levels, an indigenous Board of Directors, and residents of this small, remote community.

A generous package circa $90,000 to $95,550 includes base salary $65,000-$70,000 plus super, fully funded accommodation, 4 weeks annual leave, leave loading and many other benefits.

ABOUT YOU

Your relevant tertiary qualifications will underpin your knowledge of contemporary arts practice, ideally with an understanding of the Australian and international art markets as they apply to the Aboriginal art industry. You’ll be able to critically assess art, and recognise and nurture artistic talent, while delivering the practicalities of a well-managed artists’ studio.

With a warm, firm, compassionate manner, you will be experienced in staff supervision and training. Sound administrative and IT capabilities with experience in the Adobe suite are essential.

You’ll be resilient, independent and able to self-manage in the context of living in a remote community; and inspired by the chance to learn and contribute through this unique opportunity.

ABOUT NINUKU ARTS

Ninuku Arts is a warm, friendly and highly productive art studio owned by a strong board of Anangu directors. We are located in Kalka and service the Kalka and Pipalyatjara Communities. We are the most remote of the APY Art Centres situated close to the tri-state border of NT, SA and WA.

Founded in 2006, Ninuku Arts is a growing community enterprise not only providing consistent and vital income to its artists, but supporting local Anangu culture and the development of arts-based employment opportunities.

Ninuku Artists are recognised for their unique development of Western Desert painting. Working together daily as artists and living together as family has produced a close-knit suite of styles that echo back and forth across the generations and through the local storylines. Ninuku moves to a seemingly timeless rhythm of its own, itself a form of story in the making.

Artists Cassaria Young-Hogan, Samuel Miller currently work at Ninuku, and our elders Mr Donegan and his daughter Margaret were both recipients of the Telstra Award – for painting and for a collaborative tjanpi Toyota.

Wholly Indigenous-owned and operated, Ninuku Arts is an independent art centre. The Studio Manager will be working under the Art Centre Manager, who answers directly to the Board of Directors.

ABOUT KALKA AND PIPALYATJARA COMMUNITIES

Both Kalka and Pipalyatjara are generally happy, peaceful communities of the Western APY Lands where traditional cultural practices and concerns are very important and form part of the daily and annual life of the community. Artists and residents of our communities speak Pitjantjatjara, Ngaanyatjarra, and English languages.

The studio and art centre are located in Kalka, and staff live in Pipalyatjara, fourteen kilometres from Kalka and about 700 kms from Alice Springs. Local facilities include a store, regional school, and health clinic, arts centre, TAFE training centre, swimming pool open seasonally during the warmer months, and housing.

For more information

For more information including how to apply, please click on Apply Now below and download the Information Pack attached.

Please call or email Kate Horsey (details below) for any enquiries or to let us know your interest.

Email: [email protected] using the subject line: Studio Manager - Aboriginal Art Centre - Kalka enquiry via EthicalJobs.

Ph: 08 8985 1728.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.