Gallery Curator (Aboriginal Identified)
Job No:
94875
Location:
Tennant Creek, NT
- Pivotal leadership role within well-respected Aboriginal Art & Cultural Centre!
- Enjoy a competitive salary package circa $100,000 (negotiable) + super!
- Benefit from subsidised accommodation & negotiable relocation assistance!
About Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation (JCAC)
Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation (JCAC) is an Aboriginal community service organisation governed by Julalikari Council, an elected body representing the Aboriginal community of Tennant Creek, NT. JCAC’s constitution directs the operations of the organisation with a general strategy to alleviate poverty and improve the well-being of the Aboriginal community of Tennant Creek and the surrounding Barkly region.
Julalikari Council has a deep commitment to Aboriginal participation in the design and delivery of its programs and services. This has helped JCAC pioneer the design and delivery of many programs which are now adopted by governments and other Aboriginal service providers across Australia.
As the largest employer in the Barkly region, offering CDP to over 1,200 people in the region - this is one of the success stories of Aboriginal organisations across Australia.
About the Opportunity
JCAC now has an exciting opportunity for an experienced Gallery Curator (Aboriginal Identified) to join their Art & Cultural Centre. This is a full-time role, based in Tennant Creek, NT.
Reporting to the Executive Manager - Business, you will be responsible for leading a small team to manage collections in the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre.
You will initiate, coordinate, and implement new research, innovative exhibitions and public programs for the centre, and will oversee the care and curation of the collection of art and artefacts from the Barkly region, including cultural material, collections on loan, significant art, and archaeological materials. This position also includes ongoing community engagement with Aboriginal community stakeholders.
Please note: Due to the nature of this role, applicants are required to be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. This is a genuine occupational requirement for this position, which is exempt under sub-s 35(1)(b)(ii) of the Anti-discrimination Act 1996 (NT).
Some of your key deliverables will include:
- Overseeing and supervising researchers, students and volunteers in the identification, assessment and accessioning of artefacts to specialist levels;
- Maintaining and developing the art and artefacts collections in accordance with professional standards, current research trends, strategic priorities and cultural protocols;
- Developing research projects, external funding applications, scholarly publications and popular literature related to the Indigenous Cultures collections;
- Providing advice and making public presentations on matters related to the Indigenous collections, cultures and histories;
- Participating in public relations, media and institutional fundraising and awareness campaigns to promote Nyinkka Nyunyu and the Program's results and activities;
- Leading and participating in project teams to provide expert advice in the design and development of public displays and public education programs;
- Strategically enhancing and building the collections through field work, collaborative research and coordination of philanthropic support/donations;
- Developing a high profile for the collections and unit by presenting in diverse public forums on relevant themes; and
- Liaising with external stakeholders at a local, state, national and international level.
This position oversees activity for both visual arts and performing arts at the Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre. You will play a vital role in ensuring the Centre performs to the best of its ability, creating an ambiance of high level cultural celebration.
About You
To be considered for this role, you will hold a tertiary (preferably post-graduate) qualification in a field relevant to this role (i.e. Anthropology, Museum Studies, Cultural Studies, etc.). Demonstrated experience working within art galleries, museums, or similar environment will be essential, as will a background of art promotion, exhibition management, and collection maintenance.
As you will be managing a team, experience in leading culturally diverse groups of staff within complex and changing environments is required. A demonstrated understanding of the social, economic and environmental factors impacting on remote communities will be essential for your success.
JCAC is looking for a measured and considered person who has a genuine passion for Aboriginal arts and culture. You'll be well-spoken and professionally presented, with effective skills in developing strong and engaging relationships with others (i.e. organisations looking to buy work, art gallery managers, etc.). You will also understand the importance of building awareness of art from this region - the creation of exhibition opportunities both interstate and overseas is a critical component of the role!
In addition, you will have the demonstrated ability to achieve outcomes through the strategic management of financial, physical and staff resources and have the capacity to drive accountability and performance management. Although not essential, any experience in project management and driving the lifecycle of projects will be highly regarded.
Please Note: A current driver's licence, NT Police Criminal History Check and an Ochre Card (Working with Children Check) are requirements of this role.
To view the full position description, please click here.
About the Benefits
If you're ready to make your mark on the Indigenous art scene and are looking for a challenging opportunity in which you can share your expertise, this is the role for you!
You will be rewarded for your dedication, passion and commitment with a competitive salary circa $100,000 plus super (negotiable based on qualifications and experience). You will also have access to a huge range of benefits including:
- Access to a 3 bedroom, air-conditioned, furnished house with 50% subsidised rent;
- Retention bonus (negotiable);
- 5 weeks leave; and
- Relocation assistance (negotiable).
Bring your expertise and passion for the arts to this rich cultural organisation - Apply Now!
About Tennant Creek, NT
Tennant Creek is a township of about 3,500 people, located 500 km north of Alice Springs and 1,000 kilometres south of Darwin. It’s a place shaped by Aboriginal culture, gold mining and pastoralism. The surrounding area is called the Barkly Tablelands, a region roughly the size of the United Kingdom, and characterised by wide grassy plains, endless blue sky and massive cattle stations.
The traditional owners of the area surrounding Tennant Creek are the Warumungu people and their culture is very much alive and well, with Aboriginal people making up approximately 60% of the population, and over ten language groups represented in the town. Their stories are showcased in one of Australia's finest cultural centres, Nyinkka Nyunyu. Tennant Creek has developed from its rough, tough droving and gold mining days into a modern town with shops and a supermarket, accommodation, bars, clubs and restaurants, a major regional hospital, schools and banking facilities.
The recent expansion of the mining industry in the region has largely been on Aboriginal land, meaning that there are now exciting and challenging opportunities for training, employment and economic development. This includes opportunities for increased tourism in the recently established national parks in the region and the resurgence of cultural events such as the Desert Harmony Week each year