Manager

Moa Arts

Moa Arts is an Indigenous owned and operated Arts and Culture Centre on Mua Island in the Torres Strait (Zenadth Kes), half-way between Queensland and Papua New Guinea. 

Moa Arts is an organisation that:

• Provides high quality services and resources that support the arts and culture of the Mualgal people of Mua Island.
• Creates economic and career development opportunities for artists and staff through creative workshop programs, employment and workplace training.
• Manages the exhibition and sales of artworks through the website, art fairs, commercial and public galleries.
• Manges licencing and commission opportunities for artists.
• Collaborates with a range of stakeholders and commercial partners to further the financial goals of the organisation and build strong economic outcomes for its members.

Position Context

Moa Arts is a not-for-profit Indigenous Corporation and Public Benevolent Institution, registered under ORIC as Ngalmun Lagau Minaral Torres Strait Islander Corporation. The organisation receives ongoing funding support from the Federal Government’s Office for the Arts, Arts Queensland and the Torres Strait Regional Authority, and industry support from the Indigenous Art Centre Alliance, the Indigenous Art Code, Arts Law and the Copyright Agency. 

Moa Arts has undergone significant development in recent years and is well positioned for future growth. This will involve continued creative development and extending the organisation’s reach into national and international markets, supported by strong communications and relationship development across the organisation.

Position Overview

This is the senior management role, with a focus on the promotion of, and advocacy for, Moa Arts, its members and artists.  This includes wide-ranging engagement with the national Indigenous arts sector, including local, State and Federal governments, and the Kubin community.

The Manager will lead and manage the organisation, under the direction of the Board.  The Manager works in accordance with the vision, goals and policies of the organisation, as informed by the objects of the Corporation and the aspirations of the Moa Arts membership as outlined in the Moa Arts Strategic Plan 2024-29.

A commitment to Indigenous self-determination, community development principles, good governance, sustainable business and respect for Indigenous culture and traditions will inform the decision-making and agenda-setting of this position. 

In all decision-making it is essential to ensure awareness of, and that consideration is given to, the cultural aspirations of the membership with full informed consent, and that Indigenous cultural and social values and external expertise are incorporated into all programs and operations. 

The position manages three full time and one part time staff member and a range of consultants and service providers. 

Duty Statement

The Manager is responsible for the following duties, in line with the six key business areas outlined in the Moa Arts Strategic and Operational Plans 2024-29:

Financial Management

• Ensure the organisation operates in an ethical and transparent business framework and liaise closely with Moa Arts’ bookkeeper and auditor.
• Financial management of all aspects of the Art Centre’s business activities including income and receivables, banking, bookkeeping, payroll, artists’ payments, pricing, and monitoring of cash flow and budgets
• Prepare funding submissions from various government and other agencies and comply with reporting and acquittals in a timely manner.

Administration

• Maintain efficient and accurate file management systems ensuring procedures are in line with best practice methods.
• Ensure all Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property, Moral Rights and Copyright are protected.

Artistic & Professional Development

• Encourage and support the production and presentation of high-quality art works by the local indigenous community, adhering to quality control and best practice.
• Facilitate professional development, mentoring, training and employment opportunities for staff, Directors, and artists including participation in exhibitions, festivals, forums, conferences, and other programs and events.
• Undertake special projects in consultation with the Directors, artists and other stakeholders.

Strategic and Operational

• Supervise and manage staff, Artsworkers and interim staff including contractors, consultants, projects workers and visitors.
• Approach, develop and secure prospective and existing sponsors, clients, customers and other stakeholders across all Moa Arts’ programs in line with Moa Arts’ strategic and operational plans and policies.
• Oversee the production, cataloguing, marketing and dispatch of Moa Arts’ Artists’ artwork including input and the maintenance of the SAM database, Moa Arts website and social media platforms.
• Develop and maintain communication with community arts and culture centres in the region and strengthen networks within and between communities.
• Ensure the appropriate use and maintenance of Moa Arts’ assets and comply with WHS standards.

Governance

• Recognise and respect existing Traditional Law and leadership frameworks.
• Uphold good Governance procedures as applicable to an Indigenous Corporation and assist the Directors in the coordination and documentation of meetings, ensuring the Corporation meets all legislative obligations and responsibilities.
• Adhere to Moa Arts’ Code of Conduct, the Indigenous Art Code of Conduct and Mua Island community’s cultural protocols.

Selection Criteria

Essential

Desirable

Referees

You must provide at least two referees, one of which must be from your most recent employer.

For more information and an application package contact:

tim@tracker.net.au or call on 0410 038 226