Arlpwe Art & Culture Centre are seeking a visionary Art Centre Manager to lead a passionate team and bring bold ideas to life.

If you believe in the transformative power of art and culture, this is your chance to make a lasting impact.

〉  Role: Full Time (37.5 hrs/week)

〉  Salary: $90,000 – $100,000 per annum + super and entitlements.

〉  Location: Ali Curung, Northern Territory 

ABOUT THE ART CENTRE

Arlpwe Art and Culture Centre is a 100% community owned organisation operating in Ali Curung, within the Barkly Region. The art centre supports and promotes art and culture of the Ali Curung community, namely the four traditional language groups that have lived there since the 1950s; Kaytetye, Alyawarr, Warlpiri and Warumungu. Arlpwe Art & Culture Centre sits on Kaytetye Country in Ali Curung, an Aboriginal community about 400km north of Alice Springs. The Art Centre opened in 2008, and the name ‘Arlpwe’ (pronounced Ahl-boa) was chosen for the Art Centre by the Traditional Owners. Arlpwe Art and Culture has an extensive calendar of events, including attending major art fairs and exhibitions, as well as producing the annual Artali Dance Festival. Our artists are held in both private and public collections. Arlpwe Art & Culture Centre is a member of the Indigenous Art Code.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Duties and responsibilities of the Art Centre Manager role include:

Financial Management and Administration

• Maintain best practice administrative procedures required in the day to day operation of the Art Centre including correspondence, business documentation, stock control, retail and wholesale sales, reporting, and contract management.
• Financial management – banking, bookkeeping, working closely with the accountants and auditor of Art Centre and reporting to the Art Centre Directors
• Prepare submissions for funding and acquit funding in consultation with the Directors.
• Prepare submissions for funding and acquit funding in consultation with the Directors.
• Maintain equipment, vehicle, buildings, and facilities ensuring that they are in line with OH&S standards.
• Recruit, employ and manage other staff or contract staff, employ consultants as appropriate.
• Maintain accurate records of the Art Centre’s membership base and catalogue the artworks of members of the Art Centre.

Governance and Art Centre Leadership

• Recognise and respect existing traditional law and leadership frameworks as they impact on the governance of the Art Centre.
• Assist or seek assistance in the integration of existing leadership and decision-making protocols and the governance requirements of the corporation.
• Instigate regular meetings of the members and Directors ensuring translators are made available where necessary and meetings are conducted and documented in a valid manner.
• Develop and review Art Centre policy with members and the Directors as required.
• Implement these decisions/policies upon approval by the Directors.
• Adhere to the principles of good Governance applicable to an Aboriginal Corporation.
• Encourage awareness and knowledge of good governance practice by the Directors and members.
• Maintain a cooperative, flexible and harmonious relationship with members, the Community, its Council and other local organisations, as well as with external organisations and stakeholders.
• Assist the Directors to ensure the Corporation meets all legislative obligations and responsibilities.

Sales and Marketing Activities

• Develop/maintain/implement pricing, marketing and sales strategy for approval by the Board.
• Develop new and cultivate existing relationships with Aboriginal art industry professionals and institutions.
• Organise exhibition programs with commercial galleries and public institutions.
• Organise packaging and freight of artworks.
• Maintain supply of stock to partner retail outlets.
• Seek out and develop new outlets/markets.
• Prepare and produce promotional material.
• Develop, implement and monitor marketing and publicity plans.
• Market and promote the Art Centre locally, nationally and internationally through appropriate exhibitions, projects, prizes and advocacy activities including opportunities with Desart.
• Manage day-to-day operations of the Art Centre’s retail outlets both at the Gallery and online.
• Maintaining database of customers, suppliers, media, industry and publicity contacts, peak bodies and networks.

Artistic and professional development

• Manage and maintain an art studio and art supplies for use by members of the Art Centre.
• Facilitate the production of artworks
• Provide critical feedback as required and support the development of quality art production
• Catalogue and document completed artworks, using Stories Art Money (SAM) software, and document artists’ biographical details
• Organise professional development opportunities for artists and staff
• Organise bush trips for the collection of materials and production of artworks in country as appropriate
• Organise the Artali Dance Festival including securing funding for the event, engaging with other organisations in the preparation and execution of the event and engaging with community leaders from Ali Curung and all other relevant elders in the region.
• Respect and encourage maintenance of Indigenous language, culture and tradition.
• Protect and manage artists’ copyright and intellectual property.
• Protect and respect Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) rights and observe any applicable protocols; strategic and

Strategic and Operational Management and Governance

• Undertake strategic planning to realise the vision of the enterprise’s activities in consultation with the board, staff and artists.
• Adhere to the projects and programs of the Art Centre as outlined in the Organisation’s business and strategic plan and in accordance with applicable funding requirements and guidelines
• Encourage Aboriginal employment whenever possible, support, train and mentor Aboriginal staff
• Recognise and respect existing traditional law and leadership frameworks as they impact on the governance of the Art Centre
• Assist or seek assistance in the integration of existing leadership and decision-making protocols and the governance requirements of the corporation
• Instigate regular meetings of the members and the Board including by ensuring translators are made available and meetings are conducted and documented in a valid manner
• Develop and review Art Centre policy with members and the Board as required. Implement policy upon approval by the Board
• Adhere to the principles of good governance applicable to an Aboriginal Corporation.
• Encourage awareness and knowledge of good governance practice by the Board and members
• Maintain a cooperative, flexible and harmonious relationship with members, the community, its Council and other local organisations, as well as with external organisations and stakeholders.

The Organisation may vary these duties and responsibilities at any time.

SALARY & ENTITLEMENTS

1. Award: 
Employment conditions in accordance with Amusement, Events and Recreation Award 2010. A 12-month renewable contract is offered.

2. Salary
The salary is $90,000 – $100,000 per annum.

3. Hours of work
Standard ordinary hours are 7.5 hours a day based on 37.5 hours per week. However, there is the requirement to work for some out of hours work. Details will be discussed with you at the interview.

4. Annual leave
Annual leave of six weeks per annum on completion of 12 months service.

5. Time off in lieu
Where approved by the Board, you may take time off in lieu, up to a maximum of 10 days per year and a maximum of 5 days per quarter. No more than 5 days of time off in lieu may be accrued and taken within each quarter.

6. Annual leave travel assistance
Following 12 months completion of service, up to $1500 is payable, via reimbursement, contribution towards travel costs associated with living in remote Central Australian community.

7. Location allowance
A re-location allowance is applicable to this position.

8. Long service leave
Long service leave will be paid in accordance with the Long Service Leave Act 1987.

9. Driver’s license
A current Class C Manual Driver’s license is an essential requirement as is the ability to drive a 4WD on unsealed roads or be willing to undertake a nationally accredited 4WD training course prior to commencement of employment.

10. Superannuation
Arlpwe Art & Culture makes superannuation contributions of 12% as per legislative requirements. These contributions can be paid into your nominated super account.

11. Accommodation
Subsidised accommodation is provided and will be discussed at the interview.

12. Other benefits and services
Professional development is encouraged and promoted by providing staff training as necessary and attendance at seminars/conference is also supported.

13. Conditions specific to Arlpwe Art & Culture Centre
• Staff must follow the policy for the purchase of artworks as detailed in the Arlpwe Art & Culture Art Policy and Procedure manual.
• Recognise that Arlpwe Art & Culture operates within a limited budget, whose primary purpose is the delivery of quality arts enterprise services to Arlpwe.

Arlpwe Art & Culture Centre is an equal opportunity employer and values a diverse, inclusive workplace culture. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants must address each of the selection criteria below:

Essential

• Experience working with and supporting artists to create high quality art and artist management across a multi-faceted artistic and cultural program.
• Demonstrated management skills including successful strategic, business, governance and cultural aspects of working for an Aboriginal Corporation.
• Demonstrated experience in the ability to secure funding, meet accounting standards and manage and maintain assets.
• Knowledge of contemporary Aboriginal and broader visual arts industry; prizes, art markets, and exhibition opportunities for emerging and established artist career development.
• High level experience in arts marketing, digital and online sales.
• High level communication, stakeholder and time management skills.
• Experience in staff mentoring, training, employment and skills development programs.
• Demonstrated ability in successful stress management, engaging positive coping and self-care strategies.
• Tertiary qualifications in business, community development or arts management or similar relevant qualification and/or extensive demonstrated relevant professional experience. A current driver’s licence and experience in manual 4WD driving on unsealed roads or ability to undertake nationally accredited 4WD training.

The successful applicant will be required to obtain a National Police clearance and Working with Children clearance – (on acceptance of position, and conditional to contract offer). A probationary period of 3 months and 6 months service will need to be completed. A performance review will be held at the end of the probationary period by Desart Inc. and continuing employment confirmed subject to satisfactory performance.

Applications that do not address each of the selection criteria will not be considered.

TO APPLY

Your application must be marked with ‘Private and Confidential – Attention: Strong Business Program Manager – Arlpwe Art & Culture Art Centre Manager Position’ and emailed to strongbusiness@desart.com.au or mail by: PO Box 9219, Alice Springs NT 0870.

Please include contact details for referee/s and respond to each of the selection criteria.

See full position description and further information for applicants in the document below.

For more information regarding this position or the recruitment process, please contact the Strong Business Program Manager, Carmel Young on 0411 534 913.

Applications must reach the Desart Office by 5PM (ACST) Thursday 12th February 2026.

Learn more about Arlpwe Art & Culture – Facebook | Instagram | Website

Arlpwe Art & Culture Centre - Art Centre Manager Position Description 2026