Arts Centre Manager

The Engaged Space; Adelaide; On-site; AUD 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Work vehicle

Accommodation provided

7 weeks annual leave

Travel reimbursement

Professional development

Relocation assistance

Tax offset eligibility

Job summary

Ninuku Arts is seeking an experienced Art Centre Manager to lead the overall management and day‑to‑day operations in Kalka, working with artists from Kalka and Pipalyatjara communities. You will steer governance, finances, funding, staffing, exhibitions, sales and stakeholder engagement.

The role emphasizes supporting artists, professional development and sustainable income within a remote desert community, ensuring Ninuku Arts remains a cultural hub for the region.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated understanding of the Indigenous arts sector, contemporary visual arts practice and relevant industry stakeholders, markets and funding environments.
• Experience developing and monitoring budgets, managing funding agreements, preparing grant applications and reports, and working effectively with financial professionals such as accountants and auditors.
• Experience in arts marketing, sales, exhibitions or related areas, with the ability to recognise and nurture artistic talent and identify appropriate professional opportunities for artists.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to coordinate projects involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities and deadlines.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to build respectful, collaborative relationships with people from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
• Competent administrative skills, including experience with digital communications and standard business software.
• Demonstrated experience managing an organisation, program or comparable operation, including strategic planning, financial administration, staff management and effective organisational systems.
• Demonstrated experience working in one or more of the following: community development, Aboriginal organisations, remote communities and/or intercultural environments, with an understanding of culturally appropriate ways of working.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in visual arts, arts management, business, community development or a related discipline are desirable; however, equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

Responsibilities

• Governance and strategic planning.
• Financial management and administration.
• Artist and professional development.
• Sales, marketing and industry development.
• Staff development and management.
• Culture, community and relationships.

Skills

Indigenous arts sector

Budget management

Fundraising & grants

Arts marketing

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Intercultural communication

Education

Visual arts degree

Arts management

Business degree

Community development

Tools

Accounting software

Job description

12mth contract based in Kalka SA, with accommodation, vehicle, 7wks annual leave, and more included!

A fantastic opportunity commencing in November 2026 for an art professional to facilitate the successful management of Ninuku Arts and work in a spectacular remote desert community working alongside exceptional artists from the oldest living culture on earth.

This rewarding opportunity contributes to ensuring the Art Centre remains at the heart of the community and aims to positively support the wellbeing of the artists and makers in Pipalyatjara and Kalka communities.

This is an exceptional opportunity for professionals who have an understanding of contemporary arts practice, experience working in visual arts, demonstrated strong aesthetic sense and ability to recognise and nurture artistic talent. The Art Centre is a unique and rewarding opportunity to have a significant impact on individual artists and makers, and the broader community through the important opportunities and connections it creates.

No day is the same, and every day is rewarding in this culturally rich, artistically exciting environment, where culture is foremost in setting the tone and approach to achieving creative and business outcomes.

The Organisation

Ninuku Arts is an Aboriginal-owned and governed Art Centre based in Kalka and supporting artists predominantly from Kalka and Pipalyatjara communities in the far north-west of the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands of South Australia.

Established in 2006 in a small mudbrick building, Ninuku Arts has grown to support approximately 40 emerging and established artists, craftspeople and makers. Ninuku supports the development and promotion of contemporary Indigenous art while providing opportunities for employment, professional development and income generation, as well as supporting Aṉangu cultural practice and intergenerational knowledge sharing.

The Role

The Art Centre Manager is responsible for leading the overall management, development and day-to-day operations of Ninuku Arts. Working under the direction of the Ninuku Arts Board, the role provides organisational and operational leadership while supporting artists to develop their artistic practice, professional opportunities and sustainable income.

The role is responsible for the effective delivery of the Art Centre's strategic and business objectives across governance, financial management, funding and reporting, staff leadership, artist development, exhibitions, sales and marketing, and stakeholder engagement.

Central to the role is building strong, respectful and collaborative relationships with artists, Board members, staff and the Kalka and Pipalyatjara communities at large. The Art Centre Manager works effectively within a remote and intercultural environment, respecting Aṉangu cultural authority, community priorities and ways of working, while ensuring Ninuku Arts remains sustainable, well-managed and positioned for future growth.

The role will have key responsibilities across:

• Governance and strategic planning
• Financial management and administration
• Artist and professional development
• Sales, marketing and industry development
• Staff development and management
• Culture, community and relationships

Who we are looking for:

Ninuku Arts is seeking an experienced, adaptable and collaborative manager who can balance the commercial, artistic, cultural and community responsibilities of a remote Aboriginal Art Centre. They will have strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build genuine relationships across cultural contexts. They will be comfortable working independently and responding practically to the challenges of managing an organisation in a remote environment.

Experience within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts sector, remote community organisations or a comparable intercultural environment will be highly regarded.

What we are offering:

• $90,000 per year
• Use of work vehicle
• Fully funded accommodation, with utilities included.
• Eligibility for the ATO remote area (zone) tax offset, subject to individual circumstances
• 7 weeks Annual leave
• Reimbursement of up to $1000 towards travel expenses for leave after each 12 months service.
• Opportunity and support to continue to further your professional learning and development through staff training and attendance at selected and approved seminars/conferences.
• Contribution to relocation expenses.
• 12 month full time contract.

Criteria

• Demonstrated understanding of the Indigenous arts sector, contemporary visual arts practice and relevant industry stakeholders, markets and funding environments.
• Experience developing and monitoring budgets, managing funding agreements, preparing grant applications and reports, and working effectively with financial professionals such as accountants and auditors.
• Experience in arts marketing, sales, exhibitions or related areas, with the ability to recognise and nurture artistic talent and identify appropriate professional opportunities for artists.
• Strong project management skills, including the ability to coordinate projects involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities and deadlines.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills and demonstrated ability to build respectful, collaborative relationships with people from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.
• Competent administrative skills, including experience with digital communications and standard business software.
• Demonstrated experience managing an organisation, program or comparable operation, including strategic planning, financial administration, staff management and effective organisational systems.
• Demonstrated experience working in one or more of the following: community development, Aboriginal organisations, remote communities and/or intercultural environments, with an understanding of culturally appropriate ways of working.
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in visual arts, arts management, business, community development or a related discipline are desirable; however, equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

Licences and Clearances

• Hold a current Australian driver's licence and be confident driving a manual 4WD in remote conditions and on unsealed roads.
• Willing to complete accredited 4WD driving course.
• Hold, or be willing to obtain, a National Police Clearance prior to commencing employment.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are strongly encouraged to apply.