As for the preparation to the meeting every department has to complete their activities and prepare a progress reports. Non financial members and members that their membership recently expires should be contacted and membership renewals should be completed before the AGM. This week every department has to give their priority to AGM and it is a busy week for the IT department as well.

When other departments getting busy, eventually IT department has to provide timely technical assistance whenever they need. There were number of customized reports requested about member details by other departments. As database administrator it was my main responsibility to provide those reports that cannot be generated by the front end. Invitations and meeting agenda were emailed to every member and bounced back emails had to be traced and updated to keep database with up to date records.

• Investigate technical errors and provided technical solutions to customers regarding IT assets.
• Applied technical knowledge to answer customer inquiries regarding Information management systems, including wireless services, personal computers and networking devices.
• Supported and solved a wide range of technical errors from software installation, hardware management, peripheral devices, LAN/WAN, TCP/IP, DNS setup and configuration.
• Sound analysis, problem solving and decision making skills in a timely manner.

Strengths

• Confident in working as database administrator.
• Other improved work related skills such as communication skills, presentation skills.
• Up to date knowledge in systems administration and help desk tasks.

Weaknesses

• Need more experience in commercial database management system and certification from such software company.
• Lack of experience in time management to work on and schedule priorities under pressure.

Opportunities

• Can obtain ongoing training and stay with up-to-date technologies while work at BEMAC.
• Obtain good guidance including technical and non-technical to perform work related tasks.
• Can obtain technical knowledge from fellow staff as well as contractors.

Apart from the duties carried out as database administrator, I have already prepared an audit report that covers all the current Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure. The analysis of ICT infrastructure include cost estimation, technology related weaknesses, limitations and suggestions for performance improvements. Both hardware and software configurations used within BEMAC office are out of dated and new upgrades have to be done. However BEMAC is not in a financially solid position to implement latest technologies into their process. In my audit report I have recommended list of priorities that has to be taken in order to upgrade the system step by step.

• Report design and filtering data,
• Advanced Structured Quarry Language (SQL),
• Design and normalization of relational databases,
• Setting up office networks,
• Installation and troubleshooting various network devices,
• Preparation of risk analysis and IT audit reports.

BEMAC basically use Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to carry out its business process and communication with members and staff. BEMAC information system is used by staff from different departments to access and process member and artist details. ICT is being used for various marketing activities through YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and Blogspot. BEMAC website is the main source for providing up-to-date information to its members and other interested parties about up coming events.

My role in BEMAC covers solving specific technical problems related to database as well as general technical problems arise from time to time. During my work, I use technologies such as Microsoft Access and other office tools, MS outlook, WordPress, HTML, Apple OS and Visual Basic for Application tools.

One of the major requirements of my internship with BEMAC is to prepare an Information Technology (IT) audit report. BEMAC needed cost estimation for the possible hardware and software upgrades to acquire latest technologies into its office. During the IT audit I had to investigate all the technical devices installed in Local Area Network (LAN) and prepare a detailed report about current configurations and required configurations and upgrades. The audit report is forwarded to BEMAC board of committee and waiting for the approval to carry out the upgrades.

As database administrator, I am eventually responsible for the smooth and trouble free operation of BEMAC information system. I have given enough control over database to carry out my tasks though there are some unsolved requirements still exist.

Apparently front end of BEMAC information system does not provide enough reporting capabilities for staff to browse vital information they need to operate. BEMAC database migration process is still in progress and there are many areas to be considered as new BEMAC information system capture large variation of member details compared with old system. I am always in touch with the developer to solve issues related to the BEMAC database. Due to the busy work environment developer agreed to provide me with more control to the system’s back end so that I can generate customized reports which users are unable to generate by using the front end.

Parallel to the database administration activities, I am preparing an IT audit report for BEMAC in order to find out up to date technologies they required to run the business process. Most of the technologies used by BEMAC are quite out of date and I have a huge responsibility to identify best technologies they need and maintain the BEMAC IT infrastructure up to date.

Managing a good communication process is very important to organize activities in Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre (BMAC). Staffs use various methods to communicate between them. Communication with BEMAC clients is often takes place through the director and emails are the main method of contacts to inform customers about events and latest news. BEMAC send monthly news letter which contains details about events and exhibitions of the month, to every member via email.

Staff also use email as main method of communication. It is very difficult to do face to face communication as staff members select work days on their own preference. Communication within and between departments occur in terms of meetings, discussion groups and emails. When there is a major event, director of BEMAC organize meeting for key persons work in every department and initiates the organizing activities and prepare a work schedule.

I report the problems to my fellow staff and get their involvement to address issues. Most of the times, I use email as main communication method. During Tuesdays all IT department staff attend to the office. If I have any particular issue during the week I put my problems to them and get assistance.

IT department of Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre (BEMAC) has recently created a new database to address the growing requirements issues of their information needs. New database is capable of storing much information than the old one. Data transformation between old and new database in one key project I need to undertake. The existing data is incomplete and not up to date. There are some data cleansing to be done in the transformation process.

Website of BEMAC is yet to be launched within couple of weeks times.  There are some modifications since last design of the website has to be done and back end of the database need to be managed once the site goes live.

After first three weeks, there are more and more issues that I have to address behalf of the IT department and time management is becoming a key issue. In order to overcome the busy work schedule I had to prioritise the duties and address them one by one.

Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre (BEMAC) is not for profit organization that promotes multicultural activities in Brisbane and outer suburbs. BEMAC has a management board that make top level decisions about BEMAC activities. There are five main departments where individuals from different educational backgrounds work for organizing BEMAC activities. Departments include Administration, Human Resource, Marketing, Finance and Information Technology. Team of members with relevant expertises, assigned to each department to carry out activities. Director overlooks the activities of all departments and help to coordinate activities between departments.

IT department is responsible for maintaining and upgrading the technology infrastructure including BEMAC database and website.

Service Provision Statement

BEMAC has a twenty-two year history of identifying, developing, promoting and presenting artists from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, from emerging through to international professional musicians; from across Brisbane and Queensland, presenting local, national and international artists, using platforms such as Café Folkloric (West End), World Music Cafe (at QPAC), Cultivart, One 4 All – community engagement and delivery through music, Harvest Festival, stages at Woodford Folk Festival (Folkloric Tent), Brisbane Multicultural Festival, Zillmere Multicultural Festival and Fete de la Musique, Planet world music series at Brisbane Powerhouse, among others. BEMAC also represents Qld and Qld artists in the Kultour national multicultural arts touring programme / company.

BEMAC is an integral part of the Brisbane and Queensland landscape. It is unique in its focus on multi-cultural arts as its core business. The arts sector is a vibrant and evolving organism, it is BEMAC ’s responsibility to constantly evolve in creative and dynamic ways in order to continue to meet the creative needs of these diverse cultural communities in the context of the marketplace and stay relevant. BEMAC will continue to find creative and financially viable ways to incorporate both traditional and contemporary forms of creative expression in sustainable projects and platforms which develop and support artists and arts workers from diverse cultural backgrounds to pursue professional practice in the arts sector.

AIM: To increase employment outcomes for culturally diverse artists by developing new audience through the delivery of a high quality programme of traditional arts and culture and contemporary expressions of creativity by artists from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds; and supporting the on-going professional development of artists to ensure sustainable and viable careers.

SERVICE DELIVERY:
Produce, Promote and Present High Quality Performance: Platforms for delivery of High Quality Performance, i.e. multicultural arts festivals, smaller outcome based projects, World Music Café, Planet series, Cultivart, etc. Delivered by BEMAC or in partnership with other venues, presenting partners.

Education, Training & Professional Development: BEMAC has a responsibility to the communities it represents to ensure adequate opportunities exist for the members of those communities to access culturally appropriate training opportunities which will enable artists and arts-workers to develop in their chosen fields in the creative industries. Training can be undertaken at a number of levels, from one-on-one career action planning sessions with established professionals across a range of art forms to assisting high level emerging artists to develop into professional practitioners, to group based Community Jobs Plan type projects in event management, etc.
Community Engagement and Emerging Artist Development: Through consultation and engagement in strategic partnerships, it is critical that BEMAC establish itself as pivotal in the engagement and development of emerging artists within the target communities and the arts sector. This level of activity is about outcomes for community and participants and the identification of those individuals interested in pursuing professional career pathways in the creative industries.

References:

BEMAC Service Provision Statement  2008, Brisbane Multicultural Arts Center, 120 Main Street, Kangaroo Point.