Art Gallery Manager at Bluethumb (Richmond, Melbourne)
Bluethumb, Australia
Job Description
Bluethumb represents over 20,000 emerging and established artists from across Australia. With over 80,000 artworks sold, we have a fast-growing reputation for outstanding quality of service to homeowners across the country; from first-time buyers to collectors, as well as interior designers and architecture firms.
Bluethumb exists to connect art creators and collectors across the world. We empower Australian artists to earn a living whilst doing what they love, and provide our collectors a way to reach their favourite artists - all from the comfort of their homes.
We have teams based in Adelaide and Melbourne with galleries in both cities. We are now seeking a gallery manager / curator to join us full time in our newest flagship gallery in Richmond (Melbourne, VIC).
Requirements
Job Description
As the first face of Bluethumb that people meet as they enter the gallery, you will be friendly and proactive with a passion for engaging audiences with art. You are a natural at sales with a passion for the Australian art scene.
Reporting to the Galleries Director, the role involves curating the gallery, interacting with collectors (walk-ins and appointments), organising events, and all gallery admin. There will also be opportunities to curate online collections and have input into the direction of what we are building on bluethumb.com.au.
Responsibilities
Key responsibilities of this role include, but are not limited to:
- The day-to-day management, presentation and organisation of the gallery and office spaces.
- Curating, hanging / installing art exhibitions.
- Handling, packaging and coordinating the shipping of all artworks in the gallery.
- Interacting with collectors and artists (walk-ins and appointments).
- Helping collectors find their perfect artwork and assisting them with their purchase(s).
- Organising events and openings in the gallery space including our coveted Art Prize event.
- Actively finding ways to increase engagement with the foot traffic (window displays, organising an insta-thirst trap etc).
- Assisting the business to meet its sales targets and KPIs through a proactive approach including upselling.
- Administrative tasks such as stocktake and artist communications for the gallery.
- Working closely with artists to help promote the gallery and attract new business.
About you
With a clear understanding of the art industry and previous experience working in a public facing art role, you will have confidence interacting with visitors, including artists and collectors. Experience working with artists, events management, and art exhibitions or fairs is valuable. You're ready to dive in and sell incredible Australian art to avid collectors.
As Australia’s biggest art marketplace, we're a technology based company in art, so a love of the internet and tech is a big plus!
Good to have:
- A natural passion for art sales.
- Experience in a similar role in a commercial gallery (minimum 2 years preferable).
- Excellent customer service and communication skills.
- Capacity to multitask and prioritise when needed.
- Well organised and capable of proactively handling the gallery admin, as well as gallery events and openings.
- An interest in tech (learning and using tech platforms to manage the website and communication).
- Clean driving licence.
- Availability Tuesday-Saturday as the gallery is open on Saturdays. Some work outside of these hours for events will be required.
- Based in Melbourne.
What we expect in your application?
1. A well written cover letter: We'd love to know a bit about you, why you're moving on from your current role and what your ideal work environment looks like.
2. An updated resumé: We'd love to see your relevant experience and education.
3. Application questions: We've asked a few questions in our application process (you'll see them when you click 'Apply' below). These are a must.
Only candidates with the legal right to work in Australia will be considered for this role.
Benefits
Bluethumb has grown from a small start-up to a well established team, and the largest online art marketplace in Australia. We pride ourselves with having a fun work environment where you'd look forward to going to work everyday.
- Working with a small, supportive and passionate team growing a fantastic art-technology company.
- Making a genuine impact on Australia's art scene and being part of its growth.
- Friday team lunches, staff discounts on art purchase.
- A fun and supportive working environment.
- Competitive salary.