Art Centre Manager

Why join us?

• Maningrida community-based location

• Relocation assistance provided to the right candidate

• Dry-season road access to Darwin and Kakadu National Park

• Rent-free furnished (basic) accommodation provided

• 6 weeks’ annual leave plus 17.5% leave loading

• Non-for-profit salary packaging; $15,900 everyday living expenses, plus $2,650 for meals, entertainment or venue hire

• Be part of a culturally rich organisation that promotes diversity, community and cultural strength

About Bawinanga Homelands Aboriginal Corporation (BHAC):

Based in Maningrida in the Northern Territory, Bawinanga Homelands Aboriginal Corporation is a progressive Aboriginal organisation dedicated to representing and supporting Aboriginal people across Maningrida and surrounding homelands in West Arnhem Land.

At Bawinanga, we are committed to strong community services, cultural strength and practical local leadership. We work alongside community to deliver services that support employment, education, wellbeing, participation and stronger outcomes for families across Maningrida and surrounding homelands.

For more information, please visit our website: www.bawinanga.com

About the Role:

Maningrida Arts & Culture (MAC) is one of Australia's oldest Aboriginal community-controlled not-for-profit art and culture centres, established in 1963 and supported by BHAC. Recognised as one of the country's leading centres for contemporary Aboriginal art, it supports artists from Maningrida and surrounding homelands across 12 distinct language groups. MAC plays a vital role in sustaining cultural practice, creating economic opportunities for artists, and sharing the rich artistic traditions of north-central Arnhem Land with national and international audiences.

Bawinanga Aboriginal Corporation is seeking a full-time Art Centre Manager to lead operations at Maningrida Arts & Culture, based in Maningrida, NT.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operating Officer, this role provides strategic leadership and operational management across all aspects of the Art Centre. This includes artist support, artwork production and conservation, exhibitions, retail and online sales, financial and grant management, cultural tourism, and community projects.

This is a dynamic leadership position for an arts professional passionate about supporting Indigenous cultural expression, protecting artists' rights, and driving sustainable commercial and cultural outcomes in a remote community setting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead day-to-day operations of MAC, overseeing production, cataloguing, storage, presentation, exhibition, and sale of artworks.

• Support artists in developing sustainable careers through exhibition planning, profile building, sales inquiries, and market development.

• Work collaboratively with the Cultural Office, Babbarra Womens Centre, Arts & Culture Subcommittee, and artists to align all activities with local cultural protocols.

• Protect artists' intellectual property, copyright, and Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) across documentation, licensing, and public presentation.

• Manage inventory, conservation, packing, freight, and artist payments using the SAM (Stories, Art and Money) database.

• Develop exhibition proposals, negotiate consignment agreements, and manage partnerships with galleries, museums, art fairs, and retail partners.

• Identify and pursue funding opportunities, contributing to grant applications and acquittals in coordination with BHAC management and grants teams.

• Lead, mentor, and supervise a team of up to 10 staff members, fostering a collaborative and culturally safe workplace.

• Oversee operational budgets, monitor expenditure, and ensure compliance with BHAC financial delegations, procurement policies, and funding requirements.

• Maintain positive working relationships with community members, government agencies, collectors, funding bodies, and industry stakeholders.

• Maintain safe, fit-for-purpose workspace facilities and public areas in compliance with workplace health and safety standards.

• Provides direct oversight and ongoing support for the Tourism Coordinator, ensuring leadership, resources, and cultural guidance needed to run smooth tourism schedules, manage partner relationships, maintain WHS compliance, and succeed in a dynamic remote environment.

About You:

To be considered, you will bring demonstrated management experience in an art centre, gallery, museum, or cultural organisation, alongside strong business, leadership, and cross-cultural capabilities.

Essential Qualifications & Capabilities:

• Demonstrated experience managing an art centre, gallery, or cultural organisation (including exhibitions, retail, sales, and stakeholder management).

• Demonstrated cross-cultural competency with deep respect for cultural protocols, community priorities, and flexible ways of working.

• Tertiary qualifications in arts, arts management, art history, or a related discipline (or equivalent relevant experience).

• Sound knowledge of the Australian Indigenous visual arts sector and established industry networks (galleries, collectors, funding bodies).

• Proven skills in curatorial practice, exhibition development, artwork documentation, and collection management.

• Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and support local staff development.

• Sound financial management capability, including budget preparation, expense tracking, grant management, and commercial contracting.

• High-level written and verbal communication skills, with experience negotiating and building strategic partnerships.

• Strong commitment to protecting Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property and artist copyright.

• Current C Class Manual Driver Licence.

• Current Ochre Card, National Police Check, and First Aid Certificate (or ability to obtain).

Highly Regarded (Desirable):

• Experience working within an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) or remote community setting.

• Proficiency using the SAM (Stories, Art and Money) database system.

• Skills in creative development, ceramics, conservation, cultural tourism, or visitor engagement.

• Manual 4WD driving experience in remote conditions.

The beauty and challenge of remote community work:

Working in Maningrida offers the opportunity to be part of something meaningful. This is a role grounded in community, culture and practical impact.

Life and work here are different from metro settings. It requires resilience, adaptability and the ability to work thoughtfully in a cross-cultural environment. In return, it offers strong relationships, a genuine sense of purpose, and the chance to contribute directly to services that matter every day.

For the right person, this is a career-shaping opportunity to lead visible, important community programs while supporting stronger local leadership and better service outcomes.

Ready to apply?

For a detailed position description please contact copy and paste the following in your web browser:

https://bawinangaaboriginalc.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/Careers/IQDS9qYuLr31QJC5GdLNxTlNAQcj-SMa0IP15KxH1qlZ3Vo?e=g0Dm4H

All applications should be accompanied by a cover letter detailing suitability for the position and a copy of your CV.

Applications close 17th August 2026

Bawinanga Homelands Aboriginal Corporation reserves the right to fill this position prior to the advertised closing date.