Seeking new Director
Application deadline: Monday 15 July, 2013
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery
Cnr Queen and King Sts
New Plymouth 4342
Aotearoa, New Zealand
www.govettbrewster.com
Click here for further info on the position.
Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, New Plymouth, New Zealand
The Govett-Brewster Art Gallery is New Zealand’s leading contemporary art museum and home to the collection of modernist filmmaker and kinetic sculptor Len Lye. Since opening in 1970, the Gallery has dedicated itself to innovative programming, focused collection development and audience engagement. It has earned a strong reputation nationally and internationally for its global vision and special commitment to contemporary art of the Pacific. The Govett-Brewster is located in the coastal city of New Plymouth in Taranaki on the North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand.
The Gallery develops and maintains a contemporary and modern art collection, operates an international and New Zealand artist residency programme, and presents a diverse programme of exhibitions and public engagement. Through publications, its website and discursive events that extend beyond its walls, the Gallery contributes to the development and exploration of contemporary art within contemporary culture.
The Gallery is owned and operated by the New Plymouth District Council and is further supported by the Govett-Brewster Foundation. Since 1980, the Gallery and the Council have been in partnership with the Len Lye Foundation, working alongside the New Zealand Film Archive to manage the Len Lye Foundation’s Collection and Archive. The Gallery Director is also a Trustee of both the Len Lye Foundation and the Govett-Brewster Foundation by virtue of office. The Friends of the Govett-Brewster also support the Gallery’s work.
In 2003 the Council and Len Lye Foundation formed a new partnership to develop the Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth, dedicated to the care, display, research and development of the art and ideas of New Zealand-born artist Len Lye (1901–1980). This multi-million dollar museum expansion project will see the combined facility of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Len Lye Centre open in 2015. The partnership is manifest through the Len Lye Committee of the Council, which has equal membership from the Council and the Len Lye Foundation. During the two-year construction, the Gallery remains active through off-site artist projects, publications, public programmes and touring exhibitions from the Govett-Brewster and Len Lye Collections. Now is a pivotal moment in the formation of the Gallery’s future and the Director will be responsible for strategic leadership, innovative programming and institution building.
The incumbent Gallery Director Rhana Devenport will leave in July to take up the position of Director of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki.
Director profile
We are seeking a Director to advance New Zealand’s leading contemporary art museum and to successfully realise the Len Lye Centre.
The Director will:
–Provide visionary leadership and artistic, strategic and financial direction for the Gallery.
–Manage the Gallery’s resources to strengthen its national and international profile.
–Be the lead professional in the Len Lye Centre museum expansion project, working with the New Plymouth District Council and Len Lye Foundation to deliver the combined facility of the Govett-Brewster Art Gallery and Len Lye Centre to open in 2015.
–Work with the Govett-Brewster Foundation, the Len Lye Centre Trust and staff to develop corporate, private foundation, government and cultural agency sponsorships and partnerships to grow revenue for the Gallery.
–Have a passion for and knowledge of contemporary art and curatorial practice and stimulate and promote excellence and innovation in the Gallery’s programmes, including its exhibition, publication, educational and public engagement programmes.
–Have a genuine interest in the unique characteristics of Aotearoa New Zealand and the Treaty of Waitangi.
–Have a proven record of working effectively with local government and/or governing boards and of managing and leading a dedicated staff.
–Have proven leadership ability in all aspects of a public art museum operation, strong interpersonal and communication skills, excellent curatorial and collection development skills, a proven customer focus, strong stakeholder and partnership management abilities and a record of success in fundraising.
–Salary and benefits negotiable depending on the successful candidate’s qualifications and experience.
Deadline for applications: 15 July 2013
To discuss the position contact Cathy Thurston, General Manager, Community Services New Plymouth District Council: thurstonc [at] npdc.govt.nz / T +64 6 759 6060
Click here to apply online.
