Ausdance NSW - Job Opportunity in NT

Position Objectives:
Based in Darwin, the Indigenous Dance Officer will co-ordinate a program of training in skills development in dance and support areas to better equip Northern Territory Indigenous people with transferable skills to gain work in the arts. As part of the position the Indigenous Dance Officer will also establish a centralised database of existing and potential dance workers and employment providers in the Northern Territory.

Key Duties:
• Identify needs and employment barriers of Indigenous dance workers in the NT and outline pathways to bridge the gap between practice and employment.

• Investigate and identify supporting roles lacking in the Indigenous dance workforce that are necessary for its growth and sustainability.

• Identify accepted standards of practice in training and employment and required considerations of cultural protocols.

• Coordinate relevant training and skills development with NT training providers and institutions to increase capacity for employment in dance and other areas and strengthen the Indigenous dance sector.

• Establish key partnerships and networks with individuals, organisations and institutions that support development of innovative employment solutions.

• Source alternative funding opportunities for ongoing project activities.

• Promote and encourage interest and participation from existing and potential Indigenous dance and related Indigenous arts workers in their professional development and capacity building.

• Identify, establish and schedule accredited training programs and opportunities as well as potential participants.

• Investigate legitimate business and employment opportunities that promote and provide support for Indigenous dance and the sustainability of its practice.

• Investigate and identify professional pathways following skills development and training, such as traineeships, secondments and general positions in related organisations and industries; eg event co-ordination, performance, production, festivals, arts education, project management, media and entertainment.

• Administration and maintenance of records of activities for reporting purposes.

• Work closely with the Artback NT Project Manager for the Indigenous Traditional Dance Project

Organisational Structure: The Indigenous Dance Officer reports directly to the Ausdance NT Director. The position involves both office work and travel to regional and remote areas, which will include overnight stays.

Travel Allowance: Travel allowance for all designated work travel will be paid.

Relocation Assistance: Assistance may be available for interstate candidates.

Selection criteria

Written applications should address the following criteria and include current resume and references.

Essential
1. Good knowledge of Indigenous cultural protocols and practices
2. Knowledge and experience in professional dance and/or performing arts industries.
3. Competent computer and administrative skills
4. Strong level of written, oral and planning skills.
4. Ability to work under limited supervision.
5. Willingness and ability to travel interstate and to remote communities.
6. The ability to work collaboratively and network with arts and non-arts service providers throughout the Northern Territory.

Desirable
1. Formal qualifications and/or relevant experience in Project Management in the Professional Dance or Performing Arts Industry.

Training and mentoring will be provided as required.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are strongly encouraged to apply for this position.

Closing date for applications: Monday, 25 February 2008

Please forward applications to:

Postal:

Director
Ausdance NT
P.O. Box 823
DARWIN NT 0801

Email: nt@ausdance.org.au

For more information contact Lizzi Webb at Ausdance NT ph: (08) 8981 7002

Background Information – Ausdance NT

Ausdance is a Not for Profit organisation, responsible for the professional advocacy and industry development network for dance in Australia. Ausdance NT is the Northern Territory office and all State and Territory governments (except Tasmania) support an Ausdance office, while the federal Australia Council supports the National Office. Ausdance NT is annually funded through Arts NT as a Key Arts Organisation and is managed by a volunteer committee.

The Mission Statement of Ausdance NT: To facilitate, educate and inspire the Dance community to reach its potential as a dynamic force within local, national and international areas.

Within the capacity of limited resources Ausdance NT aims to:

• Initiate, facilitate and promote the continuing development to dance across all sectors – education, community, multi-cultural, independent, Indigenous, company dance studio and youth in the Northern Territory, with a particular focus on the Darwin area.
• Facilitate opportunities for Northern Territory residents, with a particular focus on Darwin, to have access to a variety of dance experiences.
• Encouraging and facilitating participation and presentation of Northern Territory Multi-Cultural, Indigenous and independent dancers within the organisations program of activities, and,
• Develop and implement strategies to maintain, increase and diversify audiences and community participation in dance appreciation of dance.

Staff Profile: Ausdance NT is currently staffed with a full-time Director and part time Project Officer.

Artback NT Arts Touring

Project Manager, Indigenous Traditional Dance Project

SALARY RANGE: Salary range $45 - 50,000 in accordance with NT Community Services Awards;
9% Superannuation contribution; 6 weeks annual leave; and 10 days sick leave.

RESPONSIBLE TO: Executive Officer, ARTBACK NT

HOURS OF WORK: 38 hours per week (Some out of hours work required)

LOCATION: Artback Office (RedHOT Arts), Bath St. Alice Springs

Must be able to travel for extended periods of time

RESPONSIBLE FOR:

The Project Manager, Indigenous Traditional Dance Project, will be responsible for developing networks and partnerships in relation to cultural maintenance and the performance of traditional dance from central Australia.

QUALIFICATIONS and EXPERIENCE:

Knowledge and understanding of and respect for Indigenous cultural protocols and practices;

Extensive knowledge of and experience in the development and delivery of community cultural development programs with particular reference to dance.

Hold an appropriate tertiary qualification in the arts or related discipline and/or a combination of equivalent experience and training is desirable.

Duty Statement

Operations
· Consult with Indigenous communities throughout central Australia in relation to information and support for cultural maintenance activities, in particular, traditional dance;

· Identify Indigenous traditional dance leaders who will be supported through a mentoring and development process;

· Conduct regional Indigenous traditional dance forums throughout central Australia;

· Organise centralised venues for the presentation of regional dance product;

· Event manage the DanceSite forum in Alice Springs (September 2008);

· Broker roles and performance opportunities for central Australian traditional dance groups within central Australia and the Northern Territory as well as nationally and internationally;

· Broker training and professional development opportunities for dancers both within the Territory and nationally;

· Increase understanding of delivering a professional performance for traditional dance groups including the importance of appropriate interpretative information in relation to cultural performance;

· Provide links and information sharing between Indigenous traditional dance projects and Indigenous and contemporary dance/theatre initiatives and youth projects;

· Consolidate, expand and support the existing network of partner and potential partner traditional dance groups;

· Collaborate with the AusDance NT position, Indigenous Dance Officer, based in Darwin;

· Expand and support cross border networks and partnerships for the support of traditional dance; and

· Research areas of funding for the expansion and continuation of the ITDP including sponsorships, grants and commissions.

Marketing
· Work cooperatively with existing arts, tourism, education and business sector agencies to maximise ongoing partnership opportunities for Indigenous traditional dance.

Administration
· Manage and report budgets within agreed framework and agreed process and collect and process all receipts and payments as required;

· Participate as a member of the Artback staff team and participate in all staff and organisational meetings and planning;

· Maintain internal office procedures and systems as directed; and

· Any and all other duties as delegated and negotiated with the EO.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are encouraged to apply.