About the role

We're looking for a motivated and experienced arts professional to join our Arts, Culture and Lifelong Learning team as Principal Advisor - Arts. This is a unique role offering the chance to lead, curate, and grow a district-wide arts programme that connects with our passionate local community and beyond.

This position is part of our Arts, Culture and Lifelong Learning team (ACLL) that delivers arts, heritage, and public library services across Selwyn District. Based primarily at Te Ara Ātea in Rolleston, a place of discovery, community gathering and knowledge sharing. This position is permanent, full-time 40 hours per week requiring flexibility to work weekends and evenings as required.

What you'll be doing

As the Principal Advisor - Arts, you'll be the face of arts in Selwyn. You'll lead the development and delivery of a vibrant and inclusive arts programme across the district, with a strong focus on Te Ara Ātea. As an experienced arts professional, your mahi will be dynamic, catering to a variety of audiences and involving a wide range of responsibilities, including:

• Curating and commissioning exhibitions and supporting public art projects
• Engaging with the arts in the broadest sense
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with artists, galleries, iwi, and arts institutions
• Supporting community capability in arts administration and funding applications
• Managing the Council's art collection and arts initiatives
• Collaborating with colleagues across the Arts, Culture and Lifelong Learning team to deliver outreach and learning programmes

This is a front-facing, outward-looking role where you'll work independently while being supported by a wider creative team.

About you

You'll have the confidence to work independently, the creativity to lead arts delivery, and the people skills to build meaningful connections while working autonomously across our arts ecosystem. You'll bring:

• A relevant tertiary qualification (e.g. arts, art history, curation)
• Experience in the GLAM sector (Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums)
• Strong curatorial and project management skills
• Knowledge of contemporary and historical arts practices
• Experience handling and installing artworks and taonga
• A clear understanding of the position of Māori as Tangata Whenua, a commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and understanding of the implications of the Te Tiriti for Selwyn District Council.
• Knowledge of and respect for local Iwi and Te Reo, and the ability to conduct yourself appropriately in a Māori cultural setting.
• Knowledge of local, national, and international contemporary and historical art practice, including toi Māori.

About us

Selwyn is one of the fastest-growing districts in New Zealand. We have a fantastic quality of life, great communities, and a thriving economy. Our Council works actively with residents to provide the services and facilities that help our communities to thrive and grow.

Our values are important to us and represent the way we work: · Be a good human · Be brave · Think differently · Better together.

We honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and we are committed to working with our Treaty partner to deliver on our obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

We value the safety of our young people - this role requires a satisfactory safety check including police vetting. We value the safety of our kamahi - this role requires you to pass a drug and alcohol test.

What we can offer:

• Great work-life balance with flexibility
• Career coaching and development
• Three days paid leave between Christmas and New Year
• Two weeks paid Partners Leave
• Sick leave from day one
• Continued KiwiSaver contributions during savings suspension
• Discounts with local and national businesses

Ready to lead the arts in Selwyn?

Apply now and bring your creativity to life in a role that truly makes a difference

To apply for this job go to: https://sdcjobs.co.nz/Vacancies & enter ref code: 6807578.

Applications close 28 September 2025