Biennale of Sydney Seeks CEO

Image courtesy of Biennale of Sydney.

Biennale of Sydney
https://www.biennaleofsydney.com.au/

The Biennale of Sydney has posted its search for a new Chief Executive Officer. Please review the description below, as well as the following Media Release.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

The role of CEO is multifaceted and stimulating. The artistic and commercial success of the Biennale is his or her responsibility, and the role offers many challenges, but similarly many opportunities for considerable satisfaction and international recognition.

The successful candidate will have proven leadership skills and a reputation for strategic thinking; exceptional business, communication, and administrative skills; a strong reputation based on a career in visual arts management and cultural administration; significant experience working with curators on major art projects/events in areas such as public museums, art galleries or festival administration; an outward focus, with international perspective and networks; and be results or outcomes orientated especially within tight financial constraints.

LOCATION
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. This position is based in Sydney but will require some interstate and international travel.

Download the full information pack and position description at: https://www.biennaleofsydney.com.au/about-us/work-with-us/

Closing date: Friday, 3 February 2017

MEDIA RELEASE

Biennale of Sydney – thinking big

Sydney, Australia: The Chairman of the Biennale of Sydney, Kate Mills, today announced significant initiatives that will expand the domestic and international presence of the Biennale and further investment in curatorial and other staff to meet the Biennale’s growth plans.

Kate said “The Board is very pleased with this year’s 20th edition and in our review process we asked our management team to think big, and give us some visionary ideas for the future of the Biennale. They didn’t disappoint.

We have all agreed that:
• We will strengthen our curatorial voice, including appointing a permanent curatorial leader who will work alongside our guest Artistic Directors;
• We will explore commissioning partnerships with other cultural organisations nationally and internationally;
• We will change the structure and staffing of the Biennale team to better leverage resources and opportunities domestically and internationally;
• We are working on a brand and marketing overhaul that will encompass our website becoming a mobile friendly, more multi-lingual, social media-friendly content hub for visitors, supporters and artists. This will include greater digital interaction in education, publications and exhibition visitations; and
• The Biennale Archive will become an ongoing project that will deliver talks, policy formulation and be a platform for further interaction with the public and other cultural institutions.

“Making our ‘think big’ plans a reality will require 2-4 years of extraordinary effort over and above the already significant demands on the Biennale’s leadership.

“We will be expanding the board over the coming two months and look forward to announcing new board members.

“We are also increasing our fundraising and development skills and our Development team have made a commitment to build a targeted, ongoing fundraising campaign, and to build our philanthropic footprint.

“We have already made substantial progress on this front and in the coming weeks will be announcing the first major new commitment as part of this process.

“Ben Strout, our current Chief Executive, has informed the Board that he has decided to step down. Having produced a successful exhibition in 2016, and helped build the company’s base for the future, Ben believes that someone with significant contemporary visual arts expertise is best placed to deliver our new plans. Ben will stay on while we start a national and international selection process for our new chief executive. The Board thanked Ben for his leadership, passion and great contribution.
MEDIA CONTACTS:
For further information and to request interviews with Kate Mills, please contact: Kym Elphinstone, kym@articulatepr.com.au +61 421 106 139.

ABOUT THE BIENNALE OF SYDNEY: Since its inception in 1973, the Biennale of Sydney has provided a platform for art and ideas, showcasing the work of nearly 1,800 artists from more than 100 countries. Today it is considered one of the leading international contemporary art events, recognised for commissioning and presenting innovative, thought provoking art from Australia and around the world. With an average of 40 percent of visits made by people from outside of Sydney, the Biennale holds an important place on both the national and international stage.

To view the Media Release as a PDF, please click here.