A4 Arts Foundation is hiring a Studio Production Manager (SPM).

What?

You will be responsible for guiding a diverse portfolio of projects to completion at the highest level of professional conduct and practice.

This entails realising Projects and Processes conceptualised by the Curatorial Studio that may take the the form of Exhibitions, Artist-Residencies, Events, Workshops, Schools’ Programmes, Printed Matter and Digital.

A4 Arts Foundation is a not-for-profit laboratory for the arts that invites practitioners to prototype and iterate, working with the resources of our curatorial studio. These include the four As: Academy, Archive, and Apparatus, and building the arts public through educational programmes and initiatives that take arts based learning into contexts outside of the discipline to facilitate Access.

Who?

You are a dynamic problem-solver. You are a strategist, a ‘do-er’, who can clearly and methodically plot the course of action that takes the ideas generated within the curatorial studio, and bring them to life.

You are able to coordinate a team of curators, artists, writers, builders and administrators to realise a project. You work hard and delegate efficiently. In this way, you are a communicator par excellence: a multi-tasker who likes to work on the ground in the brick and mortar making of the exhibition, and effortlessly feedback to artists and curators.

You are comfortable having many balls in the air, many tabs open on your computer. You are computer literate, comfortable working with Airtable and Slack.

You want to work in the NPO sector, in an emergent foundation that values art and cultural production as tools and technology.

Responsibilities?

• Provide project management, coordinating the activities of Curators, Writers, Artists, Galleries, Registrars, Finance and Administration, and Security, to achieve the project’s goals.
• Supervise studio team, technicians and carpenters supporting exhibitions and projects to maintain quality of work and ensure deadlines are met.
• Manage use and selection of outside contractors and outsourced production for specialised needs such as design, print, construction, and art handling for quality control and timely delivery.
• Review work to maintain adherence to standards.
• Supervise proper maintenance of equipment and ordering of supplies for the work unit.
• Provide input for the development of budgets for exhibitions.
• Maintain adherence to budgets.
• Develop programme and project schedules as they pertain to staff hours, work assignments, timing of various phases of activities, and integration with collection activities.

Experience?

• Proven skills managing exhibition production and/or installation, or artistic production experience in film, media, theatre, arts, or other.
• High degree of organisational skill with ability to handle multiple projects in various stages of development.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritise and manage time, juggle multiple duties and tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, effective and professional negotiating skills, strong interpersonal skills, discretion, and diplomacy.
• Demonstrated initiative and administrative ability as required to work and understand the goals of a curatorial studio in formulating and implementing an ambitious program of projects.
• Flexibility in management style to understand and subtly adjust to complex, highly skilled staff, both in the curatorial and support departments.
• Ability to maintain a professional and positive attitude in a dynamic and creative setting.
• Exceptional judgment, professionalism, and discretion in handling confidential and sensitive situations and matters.
• You should have work experience of at least two years in the sector or in an adjacent sector.
• A B.A. Degree is recommended, but we value experience in the field and will view exceptional experience as sufficient qualification.

Why?

Join an emergent foundation, and a small, close team of arts workers.
Work in a culture that is kind, collaborative, and enthusiastic.
Join an exceptional network of artists, collectors, curators and arts professionals both internationally and on the continent.
Work from a purpose-restored, heritage building in Buitenkant Street, District Six that comprises a free-to-public Library, Archive, Gallery, and studios and courtyard across three floors.
Make projects and programmes that invigorate and inspire.
Be a part of building the arts ecology in the NPO sector, facilitating education, and access.

Salary commensurate with experience.
50 percent of Medical Aid contribution through Discovery.

How to Apply?

Send your CV and a letter of motivation to sara@a4arts.org
Location: Cape Town

A4 is always learning and constantly adapting, to be an inclusive and safe workplace where people of diverse backgrounds and experiences can find support to grow and thrive. The A4 team is a creative community of individuals who practice kindness, tolerance, and openness.

a4arts.org