OPPORTUNITY: Director, The Physics Room

Full-time, 3 years, with potential to extend
Starting salary: $68,000–$70,000
Location: Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand
Ideal start date: Monday 16 June 2024, negotiable
Applications close: 11:59pm, 19 April 2024

We are seeking a new Director to continue to develop The Physics Room's position as one of Aotearoa New Zealand's leading contemporary art spaces. The Director will generate and manage all areas of The Physics Room's activities within the context of the strategic, artistic, and financial objectives of the organisation. Based in Ōtautahi since 1996, The Physics Room is a non-commercial gallery that serves both the city and Te Waipounamu. We value our place within the takiwā of Ngāi Tūāhuriri, and are committed to embedding the principles of Te Tiriti o Waitangi within our work.

Our vision is to be a leading organisation within a vibrant arts community, supporting the development of high quality contemporary art practice. We create opportunities for artists, curators, arts administrators, and writers to develop critically engaged practices in an environment where they are empowered and supported. With the artist at the heart of our organisation, we are committed to the development of substantive relationships, underpinned by a culture of care. We deliver programmes that enrich our audiences, and we encourage and value critical dialogue.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

Key Relationships:

  • The Physics Room Board of Trustees
  • The Physics Room staff
  • Mana whenua ki Ōtautahi – Ngāi Tahu and Ngāi Tūāhuriri
  • Contemporary artists
  • Creative New Zealand, Christchurch City Council, Rātā Foundation, and other funding partners
  • Audiences and community
  • Contracted designers, editors, and other contractors
  • Media and arts writers
  • Tertiary education providers including Ilam School of Fine Arts and Ara Institute of Canterbury
  • Macmillan Brown Centre for Pacific Studies at the University of Canterbury
  • The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora
  • Te Waipounamu institutional partners
  • International partners
  • Sponsors and patrons
  • Colleagues and contacts in equivalent institutions both within Aotearoa and abroad


Key Responsibilities:

Curatorial

  • Research and develop an integrated annual programme of artistic activities across the following areas: gallery-based exhibitions and projects in Ōtautahi and at venues across Te Waipounamu; off-site art projects; print and digital publications; public programming and educational activities.
  • Present a draft annual programme to the Board of Trustees.
  • Implement that programme in liaison with artists, curators, writers and partners.
  • Supervise the installation and presentation of projects to the highest possible standards, maintaining the artistic integrity of the work.
  • Maintain a broad knowledge of the practices of contemporary visual arts in Aotearoa and internationally.
  • Maintain and develop professional relationships with allied and related institutions.

Management

  • Honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the aspirations of mana whenua, Ngāi Tūāhuriri, through The Physics Room’s relationships and activities.
  • Set a realistic annual operating budget in consultation with the Business Manager and Treasurer for presentation to the Board of Trustees.
  • Effectively manage all activities of The Physics Room to budget and on time.
  • Report to the Board of Trustees and funding bodies on artistic and other activities as required—including reports to the Board of Trustees at bi-monthly meetings, and reports to Creative New Zealand.
  • Supervise and manage staff: provide training, support, and performance reviews. This includes the continued strengthening of Māori cultural competence within the team.
  • Supervise book-keeping and financial records in consultation with the Business Manager and Treasurer.
  • Ensure healthy cash flow of the organisation, with all payments made and received on time, including wages and tax obligations.
  • Ensure compliance with Health and Safety legislation and other regulatory obligations.

Communication

  • Be the public face and spokesperson for The Physics Room.
  • Host national and international artists, curators, and other arts professionals when necessary.
  • Ensure our Digital Strategy is implemented and fit-for-purpose.
  • Generate publicity and liaise with the media.
  • Ensure end-to-end documentation of projects is undertaken and archived.
  • Ensure www.physicsroom.org.nz content is relevant and up to date.
  • Ensure an appropriate social media presence is maintained.
  • Prepare relevant educational support material.
  • Foster productive relationships with audiences and current and potential stakeholders.
  • Manage programming and recording of monthly podcasts for Plains FM (Art, Not Science).


Funding

  • Report to funders using agreed key performance indicators and other measures as needed.
  • Actively seek new partnerships and sponsorship opportunities.
  • Assist practitioners seeking additional support for projects to be presented at The Physics Room.
  • Foster productive relationships with current partners and sponsors.
  • Produce one major fundraising event per year.

 

HOW TO APPLY
Please send a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the role, and your CV, to Chloe Cull: chloecull22@gmail.com. Questions about the role may also be sent to Chloe Cull. The deadline for applications is 11:59pm, Friday 19 April 2024.
The Physics Room is an equal opportunities employer; we welcome and encourage applications from tangata whenua, people with a disability, LGBTQIA, and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Let us know if you have accessibility requirements that we can support within the application process. To discuss these in advance, please feel free to get in touch: chloecull22@gmail.com.