Warmun Art Centre Gallery CoordinatorJob Description

Background

Warmun Art Centre (WAC) is one of Australia’s leading Indigenous cultural organisations. For over 20 years, the non-profit Art Centre has been serving the Gija community through its programs and operations. Located in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia, the wholly Gija-owned enterprise is governed by a board of Aboriginal directors. WAC’s mandate is and always has been to serve the community in which it operates.

Our aim is to celebrate and encourage the expression of Gija culture through the arts, and to support the continued development of innovative contemporary art by both established and emerging Warmun artists.

We strive to facilitate this through developing and maintaining a commercially viable arts enterprise, which provides a diverse range of cultural and economic opportunitiesfor both individuals and the community as a whole.

In addition to the successful painting studio and gallery programs, we have established a number of interconnected cultural operations; a digital media centre, a community collection, and a growing exhibition program. Warmun Art Centre also works in partnership with Melbourne University to develop ‘two-way’ learning programs aimed at supporting the transmission of cultural knowledge to younger generations of Gija people, students and teachers from the university, recognising the important roles of elders in cultural education.

The Position

We are currently looking for a Gallery Coordinator to join our team. The position is for a two-year contract with options to extend. The Gallery Coordinator has a fast-paced, challenging rolewith many rewards. The position awards the right candidate an outstanding opportunity to be part of a growing enterprise that is looking to build on its successes and establish new markets in Australia and overseas;while increasing its visibility, potential and operations.The role carries many exciting professional development opportunities for the successful applicant.

What we are looking for

The Gallery Coordinator plays a key role in assisting with the smooth operation of the organisation; being responsible for coordinating the Art Centre’s exhibitions, programs, sales and marketing in line with the Strategic Plan. The Gallery Coordinator is also the key person responsible for generating income through the sales of artworks and seeking market opportunities for the Warmun artists.

This position requires a multi-skilled, team-oriented personwith excellent customer relations. It is suited to a dynamic, highly organised person, who can hit the ground running to generate positive results for Warmun Art Centre. Additional to Sales and Marketing, the position also engages in staff mentoring, capacity building in Gallery operations, andensures high quality artwork is strategically created and managed as per the Exhibition Program and Strategic Plan.

JOB TITLE / Gallery Coordinator
JOB DESCRIPTION / The Warmun Art Centre Gallery Coordinator is primarily responsible for generating commercial sales for WAC. They coordinate the logistics of WAC exhibition program, building and maintaining relationships with galleries, collectors, the Warmun Art staff and artists. The Art Centre Coordinator also supports the Manager in general administration and planning. A supportive team player, with excellent cross-cultural skills, the Coordinator helps build capacity and skills of local staff in areas of gallery operations, and contributes to the overall commercial success of Warmun Art Centre.
Reports directly to the Manager and the Board of Directors.
HOURS / 37.5 hours per week (pro rata)
DUTIES
GALLERY OPERATIONS
Manage the day-to-day operations of the Galleryand capacity building of Gallery staff through training and mentoring on the job. This will involve:
-Working to increase sales in all areas of the Gallery (through direct sales, wholesales, consignments and marketing).
-Leading and supporting Gallery staff to make sales to visitors, including tourists, collectors and curators, and ensuring staff have sound product knowledge.
-Providing excellent customer service and training Gallery staff in customer relations; building confidence in public-facing roles.
-Ensuring works in the Gallery are displayed, rotated, labelled and stored correctly.
-Maintaining an updated SAM (Stories, Art, Money) database with accurate records (including appropriate Gija spelling for artist stories) and updating artists’ CVs, biographies and critical information.
-Keeping the gallery, desk area, storerooms and tourist toilets clean, tidy and presentable at all times.
-Ensuring the gallery operates in a safe and welcoming manner for all staff and visitors.
-Coordinating visits from local tourism operators.
-Keeping accurate daily sales records.
-Follow through with Studio Coordinator and Assistants to ensure artworks sold are freighted in timely manner and customers receive their purchases.
EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT
-Work with the Manager and other staff to develop WAC’s exhibition program.
-Work with the Manager to build profile and sales for a broad range of individual artists at Warmun Art Centre both within Australia and internationally.
-Work with the Manager to deliver compelling content for the promotion of Warmun Art Centre.
-Actively seek opportunities for Warmun Art through exhibitions, private collectors and institutions; meeting minimum requirements for the annual exhibition programing as per the Strategic Plan.
-Set aside works for exhibitions and awards and facilitate commissions in a timely manner.
-In consultation with the Manager and staff, enter artists into art awards, residencies and artistic development programs.
-Ensure all staff and artists are kept abreast of commitments relating to the exhibition program.
-With Gallery staff, present weekly updates of exhibition developments at staff and artists meetings.
-Liaise with Studio staff and Gallery staff to coordinate and organise artwork production and logistics in a timely manner, in advance of key exhibition dates.
-Develop and nurture artistic development through communication and feedback about exhibitions and sales.
-Assist with event planning and coordination for activities and events hosted by Warmun Art Centre.
REVENUE
-Achieve sales targets for each financial year.
-Maintain accurate up to date sales records, conduct reconciliations and ensure these are communicated to the Manager and Finance team.
-Assist the Manager, as needed, in sourcing and securing funding including the timely preparation of material needed for applications and acquittals.
-Developing strategies to increase online sales.
MARKETING AND PROMOTION
-Usethe Warmun Art Centre website, newsletters and social mediato increase exposure, direct online sales and customer base.
-With the Manager and Gallery staff members, promote the Art Centre and reach a broad audience through multiple Communication channels.
-With the Manager, provide information for writers, journalists and curators to produce media stories and publicity about WAC and artists.
-Ensure WAC’s compliance with protocols for Copyright, Resale Royalty, Indigenous Cultural and intellectual Property, Moral Rights for artists and the Indigenous Art Code.
-Advertising Warmun Art Centre in local and national art and tourism publications, websites etc.
OTHER DUTIES
- As required, ensureaccurate minutes are taken during staff, artists and board meetings.
- Adhere to tidy and accurate administration of records, and engage in backing-up work to Warmun Servers and external drives.
- Contact service providers and external suppliers for delivering goods and services to Warmun Art Centre.
- Be willing to assist the Manager and Staff with other duties outside of the job description as they arise.

Essential Selection Criteria:

Cultural:

  • Knowledge of or strong interest in Aboriginal culture and/or art practice
  • Excellent cross-cultural communication skills, a high degree of adaptability and resilience, and ability to work within a close knit team
  • Ability and desire to live in a remote Aboriginal community
    Professional:
  • Retail sales experience within a successful commercial gallery, retail operation or similar
  • A track record in Sales, adhering to, or exceeding sales targets and achieving business growth
  • Proven ability to manage projects and meet deadlines on a consistent basis
  • The ability to multi-task, prioritise, and work well under pressure as well as be flexible within your role, demonstrating accountability when other members of the team are away for travel, etc.
  • Proven excellent customer service skills, and ability to engage diverse audiences including tourists, visitors and new customers in Warmun Art Centre
  • Strong administration and communication skills
    Attitude:
  • Strong interpersonal relationship skills, in particular building constructive and long-term relationships with both internal and external parties
  • Willingness to work in a team, with a friendly, positive attitude
    Technical / Qualifications
  • A tertiary qualification in arts management, curatorial practice, business managementor similar
  • Understanding or experience in visual arts practice

Proficiency in one or more of the following:

  • Knowledge of contemporary and/or Indigenous art practice
  • Experience in the day to day operations of a medium-large studio, including developing exhibitions and cultural programs
  • Experience in social media platforms and communications
  • Experience in grant writing and funding acquittal processes
  • Experience working in the not-for-profit sector and/or philanthropic fundraising
  • Experience working within a cross-cultural environment or a remote Indigenous community
  • Manual driver’s licence preferred, but not essential
  • Marketing and / or Fundraising skills

Applicants who have previous experience working in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander communities will be highly regarded, though this is not an essential requirement of the position. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a team that will help shape the next chapter in Warmun Art Centre’s story while working closely with Australia’s leading contemporary Aboriginal artists at local, national and international levels.

Salary

Salary & entitlements:

· Base salary between $55,000 to $60,000 depending on skills & experience,
plus 9.5% super.

·Accommodation provided (Furnished, air-conditioned studio unit) worth $7800 per annum.

· Electricity contribution up to $1,400 per annum, settled on pro rata basis

· Reimbursement of airfare and relocation costs*

· Provisions for PBI based salary sacrifice arrangements (salary sacrifice).

· 5 weeks annual leave for permanent, full time position, subject to pro rata.

*Up to $800 each way, plus benefits such as subsidies for movement of personal effects during the beginning and end of contract, and personal travel costs after second year of employment (conditions and limits apply).

Applications:

Applicants should submit their CV containing contact details for 3 referees, a cover letter, and a document addressing the Selection Criteria. Applications should be forwarded to by 5pm (WA time / AWST)Wednesday February21st 2018, with “Warmun Art Gallery Coordinator” in the subject line.

We encourage applicants to address the ways in which you would meet the responsibilities of becoming part of the Warmun Art Centre team. A full position description is attached and should be considered in your application.

Interviews will be conducted via Skype, with the successful applicant ready to take up the position in late March / early April.

Please supply:

  • A cover letter outlining your interests, experience and suitability for the position.
  • A response to each of the individual selection criteria points and selected areas of proficiency that apply.
  • A current CV, including a recent photograph of yourself.
  • Names and contact details of three referees

Applications close at 5:00pm on Wednesday,21February 2018(AWST/ WA time).