Assistant Manager

Spinifex Arts Project is looking for an Assistant Manager to help run all aspects of the art centre.

Spinifex Arts Project Aboriginal Corporation, established in 2014, is an Anangu (Aboriginal) controlled, community-based arts enterprise representing approximately 40 Pitjantjatjara artists from Tjuntjuntjara community, in Western Australia’s Great Victoria Desert. An extremely remote location, Tjuntjuntjara is 700 kilometres northeast of Kalgoorlie and 200 kilometres west of the South Australian border.

The Art Centre is strongly supported by its artists and governed by an active andrepresentative Board of Directors.

Although Spinifex Arts Project (SAP) is small, the quality and integrity of the work is widelyrecognized. This reflects SAP’s approach of focussing on creative and cultural excellenceand taking a very strategic approach to the art market.

Critical response has been excellent, with positive reviews and appearances in nationalmedia. Works have been acquired by numerous public collections and demand is strong.These successes have created financial stability for Spinifex Arts Project, with the strongsales complemented by long-term operational support from the Federal Government. Inturn, this stability enables SAP to maximise support for artists and provide the best possiblestudio and professional development settings.

There are currently two fulltime positions at Spinifex Arts Project – the Manager andAssistant Manager – and both positions are being recruited for. As such, Spinifex ArtsProject encourages applications from couples or collaborators who are interested in therole/s.

Assistant Manager – overview

The Assistant Manager supports the Manager in all aspects of Spinifex Arts Project’s work,including arts and artist support, administration, financial management, servicing anIndigenous governing body, marketing/sales/promotion, funding and culturaldevelopment/maintenance. The Assistant Manager will support the development ofartworks, mentor artists and assist their vision for cultural maintenance and development.

JOB DESCRIPTIONThe role of the Assistant Manager is to support the Manager with their responsibilities. These include providing arts and artist support, administration, servicing an indigenous governing body, marketing/sales/promotion, funding and cultural development/maintenance. The Assistant Manager will assist with the design and delivery of activities that generate social, creative and commercial opportunities for Spinifex Arts Project’s artists. At the centre of this model is the production of high-quality works of art, generated by a holistic and highly professional artists studio.

The Assistant Manager has help with all aspects of the day-to-day management and operations of the enterprise. You will be employed by the Board of Directors, Spinifex Arts Project Aboriginal Corporation and work under the direction of the Manager.

You may be required to travel to regional and interstate industry events, supporting the artists to attend and participate. You are also required to supervise, support and mentor a number of Aboriginal arts workers.

DUTIES

Arts and Cultural Support

• Assist the Manager in delivering a program of support and services for artists.
• Maintain the SAP studio space, including managing all artists supplies.
• Encourage Aboriginal employment whenever possible, including the support, training and mentoring of Anangu staff.
• Provide support for cultural maintenance activities, including bush trips etc. Identify and implement strategies to safeguard and strengthen cultural resources.
• Support artists’ copyright and intellectual property rights.
• Travel with artists as required to attend exhibitions, events, on-country camps and meetings.

Administration – General

• Maintain best practice administrative procedures required in the day-to-day operation of the art centre including correspondence, business documentation, stock control, wholesale sales, reporting, financial management, contract management.
• Adhere to the principles of good governance applicable to an Aboriginal Corporatiion.
• Document, using the Stories Art Money (SAM) database, artworks and artists’ biographical details.
• Support the preparation and acquittal of funding submissions, in consultation with the Manager.
• Maintain equipment, vehicle, buildings and facilities ensuring that they are in line with OH&S standards.

Governance

• Provide support for the Spinifex Arts Project Board of Directors.
• Governance training for Board members.
• Coordination of Directors meetings and the AGM.
• Assistance to Directors on all compliance and governance requirements.
• Organizing opportunities and logistics to enable artists and members to access and attend external training, meetings and development opportunities.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Essential

• Demonstrated experience in the delivery of Aboriginal arts and/or community arts services/projects, and an understanding of the broader Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts sector.
• Highly developed aesthetic sense and the ability to assess works of art, particularly as they relate to the Aboriginal art market, with some curatorial experience preferred.
• An understanding of working with and reporting to Aboriginal people and communities and to perform in a cross-cultural environment.
• Ability to work cooperatively in a small team.
• Proven written and oral communications skills.
• Proficient IT skills.
• Proven capacity and maturity to live and work in a remote, busy and often challenging environment.
• Current manual drivers’ licence and the capacity to travel in remote areas.

Desirable

• Understanding of copyright and intellectual property issues.