Vitalstatistix
Artistic Director / Co-CEO
Vitalstatistix (Vitals) seeks an outstanding artistic director to lead the organisation’s artistic vision as we move into our fifth decade. An exciting time for the organisation, with significant multi-year government funding secured, this is a unique opportunity for an experienced leader to make a meaningful contribution to enriching Australian experimental and contemporary arts practice.
Fulltime, hybrid onsite/remote (WFH)
Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide), South Australia
Applications addressing the selection criteria (no more than two pages) and accompanied by a detailed resume, including three referees, should be sent to: Cassie Magin, Executive Director/Co-CEO, cassie@vitalstatistix.com.au
Applications close 9am Monday 13th May 2024, with interviews to be held the following week.
Enquiries to: Angela Flynn, Chair, 0413 922 515, angela@kukuniarts.com
About the company
Vitalstatistix (Vitals) is a vibrant incubator of experimental, multidisciplinary, and transformative art from our home at the Waterside Workers Hall at Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide), on Kaurna Country, approximately 15km north-west of Adelaide CBD, South Australia.
Founded in 1984 by Margie Fischer, Ollie Black and Roxxy Bent, the company’s original focus on advancing feminist theatre and the careers of professional women theatre-makers has seen Vitalstatistix make a substantial contribution to the Australian feminist art movement over the last four decades. This foundational radical determination and progressive ambition still lie at the heart of Vitals. Both outward looking and deeply embedded locally, our small contemporary arts organisation has a national impact and reputation that greatly exceeds our size.
Our initiatives empower, support, produce, curate, and present art and artists from across Australia, with a particular focus on feminist, queer and First Nations artists, the development of South Australian artists and practice, and contributing to progressive public dialogue and change.
Vitalstatistix is also central to the cultural life of Port Adelaide/Yartapuulti, a proud working-class city set on the Port River. The state heritage-listed Waterside Workers Hall provides Vitals with a strong cultural and political foundation to our deep engagement with communities, artists, thought-leaders, activists, and audiences.
Gathering, investigating, participating, advocating, and creating, are all hallmarks of the Vitalstatistix experience. Our combination of nourishing contemporary art and progressive Australian life is the unique offer that Vitals makes to artists, audiences, and our community.
About the role
The Artistic Director / Co-CEO creates the artistic direction based on the strategic plan and vision developed with, and by, the Board of Directors for Vitalstatistix, as a leading agency for contemporary performance, and the development of independent artists, in Australia, situated in the community of Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide). The Artistic Director / Co-CEO is appointed by, and reports directly to, the Vitalstatistix Board of Directors.
The Artistic Director / Co-CEO is responsible for initiating and producing an annual artistic program of activities such as performances, workshops, artist development and forums that reflect the purpose of Vitalstatistix, as articulated in the strategic plan. Each annual program is presented by the Artistic Director / Co-CEO to the Board in the prior year for approval and the Artistic Director / Co-CEO has responsibility for reporting on progress artistically at each Board meeting and as required to key funders of Vitalstatistix.
Working closely with the Board, the Artistic Director / Co-CEO provides leadership in growing the company’s reputation through the engagement and participation of leading artists, the development and leveraging of strategic partnership, and the management of key stakeholder relationships including media, government, and private funders.
Selection criteria
Essential
● Professional experience as a performing arts producer and/or Artistic Director of a contemporary performing arts organisation or festival.
● Demonstrated capability to formulate, articulate and implement a curatorial vision and translate it into reality through leadership, authority, judgement, and flexibility.
● Extensive knowledge of and networks within the Australian experimental arts sector.
● Strong communication and relationship management skills with experience working collaboratively with boards, artists, funding bodies and external partners.
● Excellent writing skills and the ability to prepare correspondence, marketing materials, grant submissions and acquittals, and board reports.
● Ability to conduct negotiations to achieve positive solutions.
● Proven ability to manage and resolve conflicts in a business environment.
● Proven success at making public presentations and public speaking.
● Demonstrated ability to lead, mentor and collaborate with a small team, building working relationships based on trust and integrity.
● Proven ability to adapt and be flexible in a dynamic and constantly changing environment.
● Ability to plan, produce, manage, and deliver complex projects with multiple stakeholders.
● Track record in securing and acquitting government grants.
Desirable
● Tertiary qualifications in an arts discipline
● Experience in co-leading an organisation with an Executive Director or similar
● Experience in arts and cultural advocacy
● Experience in private giving and philanthropy
● Experience in planning and executing audience development strategies
