Community Arts Coordinator

Position description: Community Arts Coordinator 2019

Our vision – Making winter magic in Katoomba

Our mission – To engage the people of Katoomba and the Blue Mountains in a sustainable, vibrant, annual community winter solstice celebration of the arts and creativity centred on Katoomba Street.

Winter Magic is a not-for-profit festival that began 25 years ago and has become the signature event for Katoomba and the Blue Mountains. After the cancellation of the 2018 Winter Magic Festival, the Winter Magic Committee has resolved to relaunch the festival in 2019 with a reduced footprint and a renewed focus on community arts. On 22 June 2019, Katoomba Street will close and be converted into a performance space, with the surrounding open areas and laneways filled with music, installations and theatre. Roving performers will entertain people throughout the day and up to 110 stallholders will present locally made wares and food to an estimated minimum 20,000 attendees.

In 2019, for the first time, the Winter Magic Festival is funding 14 community organisations to develop and present arts and performance projects for Winter Magic. Projects include exhibitions, installations, dance and music performances, and will highlight the creativity of local children, Darug and Gundungurra people, mature adults and multicultural groups. A rich line up of musical performance and entertainers will also be presented, filling the street and Katoomba’s indoor and outdoor venues with sound and spectacle. The official festival programme concludes with fireworks and a concert on steps of The Carrington Hotel.

We are currently seeking a Community Arts Coordinator to coordinate the delivery of the community arts projects selected for 2019. The coordinator will report to the Event Coordinator and the Winter Magic Committee. It is expected that the Community Arts Coordinator will be available ASAP until July 2019.

This is a voluntary position. It offers the opportunity to apply and gain skills in project management and community arts and to give back to the Blue Mountains’ premier community event.

Key responsibilities

Develop a production time line and ensure deadlines are met
Liaise with each of the supported organisations to ensure they execute their programmes within the time frame
Identify spaces for the display of the works produced under the community arts programme
Assist the performance coordinator to develop a running schedule for the day on each stage and within each venue by 1 May 2019
Inform media and marketing people and the Winter Magic Committee of the community arts schedule and ensure artists provide publicity material
Develop and maintain stakeholder relationships
Inform the events coordinator of equipment, venue and service needs
Ensure effective communications throughout on the day of the festival
Coordinate the delivery of community arts projects according to the budget set by the Winter Magic Committee
Uphold the vision and mission of the Winter Magic Festival, and work according to the Code of Ethics
Contribute to planning for the Festival beyond 2019.

Essential criteria

Understanding of the principles of community arts and cultural development practice
Experience in coordinating artists and production
Outstanding communication and financial skills, including computer literacy
Capacity to supervise volunteers and casual employees
Willingness to take direction from the Winter Magic Committee and regulatory authorities, including (but not limited to) NSW Police, Blue Mountains City Council and emergency services, as well as venue owners and operators
Knowledge of workplace health and safety
Available to work during the lead up to the Festival, and from 6am to 10pm on the evening of the Festival, 22 June 2019
Current Working With Children Check/Police check

Desirable criteria