Join Tautai and shape the future of Contemporary Pacific Arts in Aotearoa and beyond! Bring your vision, creativity and leadership to a role where your impact will resonate across communities and generations.

Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust is a leading Pacific arts organisation based in Tāmaki Makaurau. Our mission is to lead a connected, responsive and sustainable arts organisation that provides opportunities, pathways and a home for Pacific creatives. Our vision is to establish a thriving, sustainable, and interconnected Pacific arts community across Aotearoa, Te Moana-nui-a-Kiva and the world. Through exhibitions, events, and programmes, Tautai champions Pacific artists, uplifts Pacific voices and nurtures creative talent across generations.

ROLE PURPOSE

The Creative Director (CD) is responsible for leading the creative vision of Tautai Contemporary Pacific Arts Trust. The role oversees the design and delivery of Tautai’s gallery programme and ensures the creative integrity and strategic alignment of all public-facing programming and artistic activity, including international initiatives, public engagement, community workshops, and strategic partnerships. As a co-equal executive, the CD works collaboratively with the Operations Director (OD), contributing to collective leadership of the organisation.

This is a Fixed-Term (FTE 0.8) position to 31 Dec 2026, with the potential for extension depending on funding and organisational needs. Flexible working arrangements may be available.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Curatorial and Creative Leadership

• Oversee the curatorial programme of Tautai’s gallery, including exhibition development, artist liaison, and exhibition programming.
• Ensure artistic direction aligns with Tautai’s mission to be a leading Moana-centric arts organisation supporting Pacific artists at all stages. 
• Maintain and evolve Tautai’s reputation as a dynamic, inclusive, and culturally responsive contemporary Pacific arts space.

Programme Strategy and Delivery

• Oversee creative vision and strategy across Tautai’s annual programme, including:
• Fresh Horizons (youth pathways)
• Fale-ship residencies and mentorships
• Matariki programming
• International residencies and projects
• Fundraising, sponsorship and diversification of funding.
• Support planning, budgeting, and evaluation of creative programmes in collaboration with OD and relevant staff.

Leadership and Collaboration

• Provide strategic thought partnership and co-leadership with the Operations Director to ensure whole-of-organisation alignment.
• Represent Tautai’s creative interests in key stakeholder and funder engagements, both local and international.
• Ensure that Tautai’s programming reflects its values of Tautua, Aiga, Su’ifefiloi, and Mafana, and that Tiriti o Waitangi commitments are honoured in creative practice.

Sector and Artist Development

• Champion the development of Pasifika artists, curators, and arts leaders.
• Foster partnerships with tertiary institutions, other arts organisations, and Pacific communities.
• Develop platforms and opportunities that build visibility, voice, and sustainable careers for Moana creatives.

Thought Leadership and Advocacy

• Contribute to wider discourse on Moana arts and cultural equity through writing, speaking, and collaboration.
• Work closely with the OD and Board to advance Tautai’s vision as a connector between Aotearoa, Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa, and the world.

Key Relationships

• Internal: Operations Director, Curator, Programme Manager, Arts Admin, Finance Manager and Board of Trustees
• External: Artists and curators, community leaders, partner organisations, funders (e.g. CNZ, Foundation North), international collaborators

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Deep understanding of Pacific arts and cultural practice, preferably with personal or professional grounding in Pasifika communities.
• 7-10+ years of proven experience in curating exhibitions, programming and/or producing in a visual and contemporary arts context.
• Strong leadership and collaboration skills, including experience in guiding teams and mentoring artists.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• Visionary thinker with a commitment to equity, innovation, and cultural responsiveness.
• Proficient MS365 user
• Excellent writing skills, a sample may be requested e.g. a recent funding application or report
• Full Drivers License
• Experience in working across sectors or internationally in the arts.
• Experience with arts funding and reporting requirements (e.g. CNZ, Foundation North).
• Experience working in a co-leadership.
• Experience working collaboratively within a small team, with a demonstrated commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive team culture.

Desirable

• An Arts qualification
• Fluent in a Pasifika language
• Director experience

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your cover letter and CV to operations@tautai.org with subject heading, ‘Creative Director Role’.