Bawinanga Homelands Aboriginal Corporation (BHAC) is a progressive Aboriginal corporation based in Maningrida that employs over 200 people. We represent and assist over 4000 Aboriginal people in the 32 homelands surrounding Maningrida in West Arnhem Land. Our work is carried out in the context of people’s traditional lands, cultural practices, and languages. Our services include new building and maintenance, road maintenance, arts, community development programs, collection of wild foods, and many more. An opportunity exists for an arts management professional to lead the operations of our Indigenous women’s textile art centre, Bábbarra Women’s Centre, situated in Maningrida, Northern Territory.
Job Description
About the Opportunity
In this exciting arts management role, you will be the manager of Bábbarra Women’s Centre and its textile brand, the internationally recognised Bábbarra Designs textile studio. You will:Relocation assistance will be provided
Develop, implement and manage an annual workplan, aligning to organisational strategy
Manage a diverse team of 6 staff, including a Studio Project Officer and indigenous arts workers and trainees, to support artistic, cultural, and core business outcomes
Oversee screen-printing operations, including exposing artwork, printing, caring for screens and maintaining equipment
Manage artwork archives and coordinate screen-printing and fashion design workshops for girls and women in Maningrida
Procure and oversee ethical licencing agreements
Customer service; wholesale and retail, maintain strong sales outcomes
Participate in exhibition/event participation and award entries
Mentor and develop staff in studio operations and retail administration
Administer the SAM database to catalogue textile artwork and ensure accurate artist records and payments
Drive marketing & social media, including overseeing the website and online shop
Prepare and deliver funding applications and acquittals
Ensure robust budget and resource management for a sustainable and thriving arts centre
Support artists and art workers to attend exhibitions, markets, art fairs and professional development opportunities across Australia and internationally
NB: The ability to travel interstate with staff and artists is vital to this role
Desired Skills and Experience
About You
You will thrive in this role if you can demonstrate:
3–5 years’ management experience within the arts, cultural, or creative industries – an Indigenous art centre or women’s centre is highly regarded
Proven experience managing significant multi-year funding such as IVAIS and work collaboratively with a grants coordinator to successfully deliver, report and acquit a range of grants.
Strong business and operational management capability including budgeting procurement, and grant reporting
Demonstrated leadership and people-management skills with the experience of more than two direct reports, this role oversees a project officer, studio coordinator and a team of arts workers.
Highly developed interpersonal and conflict-resolution skills in a cross-cultural setting
Experience working with key sector stakeholders, such as Government, Arts Law, Copyright Agency, national cultural institutions, galleries, and industry
Strong understanding of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander art and textiles and a genuine interest in language, culture and art centres
Hands-on experience in creative production preferably screen printing, lino printing or fashion production
Strong project and team leadership skills, with demonstrated success in staff development
Experience using the SAM database to catalogue artworks and manage artist payments and customer invoices
Demonstrated success in exhibition development and the marketing of Indigenous artwork and textiles.
Tertiary qualifications in fine arts, fashion, business or community development
Advanced customer service skills
Manual drivers licence
Highly regarded:
Knowledge of the textile and/or fashion industry, including base fabrics, suppliers, colour trends and production workflows.
Graphic design or product development skills that contribute to creative direction, merchandise or product ranges including T-shirts.
Experience in a NFP environment or previous experience in a remote Aboriginal community
Advanced computer skills, social media and web content administration.
Experience reporting to an Indigenous board or committee and demonstrating collective decision making
Understanding of Aboriginal women's issues and community-led development
Applicants need a cover letter addressing the selection criteria and a cv
You must have the right to work in Australia
Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander applicants are encouraged to apply
For further details on the position please contact via email to human.resources@bawinanga.org.auor contact Human Resource Team on
