Are you the next Director of Blue Oyster?

Posted: Monday Sep 02, 2019

Blue Oyster Art Project Space exists to enable emerging and experimental arts practitioners to work in an innovative, experimental and non-commercial environment. We aim to broaden the interest and understanding of contemporary arts by providing a forum for discussion and debate. Blue Oyster is searching for a dynamic, committed and enthusiastic individual to steer the organisation for the next three years.

Through proposals, curatorial research and their own vision and experience, the Director will develop and present Blue Oyster’s annual programme of exhibitions, workshops, publishing, events and an annual organisational publication. They are responsible for building and maintaining artist relationships, managing and where necessary, employing support staff, managing volunteers and working with Blue Oyster Arts Trust to ensure the progressive management of Aotearoa’s and perhaps the world’s Southern-most contemporary art project space.

Core tasks include overseeing all gallery operations including: Creative New Zealand and Dunedin City Council funding applications and reporting, fundraising and revenue generation, financial management through Xero, maintenance and expansion of Blue Oyster's Supporters Network, maintaining paperwork and upkeep of Charities Commission procedures, health, safety and risk management, exhibition installation, technical support and maintenance, archiving, marketing and communications, writing, editing, Trust reporting, payroll, stakeholder relationship management (local and national) and visitor engagement.

This position is an excellent opportunity for an emerging curator or early career arts professional who is active within the national arts communities, with aims of developing a wide range of skills and contributing to an ambitious organisation in its third decade of operation.

This role requires someone with:

• Skills in leadership, decision-making, creativity and innovation
• A broad interest and understanding of contemporary art in Aotearoa
• Profile and relationship building skills
• An interest and experience in budgeting and bookkeeping
• An interest and experience in funding applications and reporting

We’re looking for someone who has:

• Tertiary qualification in the arts/fine arts (post-graduate preferred)
• Proven experience with arts administration, events management, artistic programming
• Volunteer or paid work history with arts organisations (museum/gallery/artist-run space)
• Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Microsoft Word and Excel skills
• Experience in practical gallery installation techniques
• Experience in writing and editing promotional texts, exhibition texts and long form criticism
• An understanding of Te Tiriti o Waitangi and awareness and respect for tikanga Māori

To apply:

• Download a copy of the Blue Oyster 2020-2022 Strategic Plan: http://blueoyster.org.nz/about/
• Email admin@blueoyster.org.nz to receive a copy of the 2018 Annual Report and full job description.
• Send your CV with two references, a cover letter and a writing sample (can be previously published, approx 750–1000 words) to admin@blueoyster.org.nz.

Application closing date: 4pm, Friday 27 September, 2019
Start Date: Monday 13 January 2020
Training with current director until: 31 January 2020