Artistic Director

• Closing date: Jun 20, 2025
• Fixed Term Contract
• Gisborne

Job Title: Artistic Director
Location: Gisborne, Te Tairāwhiti, New Zealand
Application Deadline: Friday 20 June 2025
Position Type:  Fixed Term for 1 year (Oct 2025 to Nov 2026)

About Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival

Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival is an organisation that coordinates events that celebrate the rich cultural tapestry of the region. The festival has evolved into a vibrant platform that amplifies the voices, stories, and artistry of our people. Our mission is to connect communities through art, fostering a shared sense of identity and belonging.

Role Overview

We seek a visionary Artistic Director to lead the creative direction of Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival. This role demands a dynamic leader with a deep understanding of traditional and contemporary arts, a commitment to inclusion, and a strong record of curating compelling programs. The Artistic Director will shape the festival’s artistic vision and ensure its delivery with excellence and integrity while representing the community of Te Tairāwhiti.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership: Develop and implement the artistic vision, and long-term programming, ensuring alignment with the festival’s mission, values and strategic vision.
• People: Lead the festival team by providing artistic leadership, inspiration and opportunities for the festival to grow and have a strong sense of place.
• Governance: Collaborate with the Board to create organisational KPI’s to ensure sustainability, growth, and artistic success for the festival and region.
• Curatorial Excellence: Curate a diverse and innovative festival program across disciplines, celebrating the unique stories and talents of our people.
• Community Engagement: Collaborate with local artists, performers, and cultural organisations to foster a sense of ownership and participation within the community.
• Sector Relationships: Nurture current and future relationships with other festivals and cultural organizations across Aotearoa.
• Operational Oversight:Be responsible for the curation and delivery of an agreed program, collaborating with the Operations Manager and the wider team to manage budgets, contracts, scheduling, and coordination of artistic elements, to ensure the seamless execution of the festival.
• Representation:Lead as the festival spokesperson, engaging with key stakeholders and funders, sponsors, patrons, community collaborators, and audiences to promote the festival's vision, funding, and impact.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in artistic leadership, curation, or festival programming.
• Strong network within the arts community and awareness of emerging trends.
• Exceptional communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to think strategically and deliver artistically ambitious projects on time and within budget.
• A collaborative spirit with a passion for community engagement and artistic excellence.

To Apply

Please submit your cover letter, resume, and a statement (max 500 words) outlining what your artistic vision for the future of Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival would be. All correspondence to: The Board Chair, Te Tairāwhiti Arts Festival Charitable Trust and e-mailed to services@ttaf.nz

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