Organizer Information
PLATFORM München is a contemporary cultural initiative based in Munich, Germany, operating at the intersection of professional training, curatorial practice, and cultural education. As part of the publicly funded Münchner Arbeit gGmbH, PLATFORM functions as a model project dedicated to fostering emerging professionals in cultural management and the arts sector.
The institution is deeply embedded within Munich’s creative ecosystem and collaborates with a wide range of local and international cultural partners. Its program emphasizes hands-on learning, interdisciplinary exchange, and socially engaged cultural production. Through exhibitions, workshops, and public programming, PLATFORM München provides a dynamic environment for early-career practitioners to gain practical experience while contributing to the cultural landscape.
Title & Description
5 Traineeship Positions in Cultural Management & Curatorial Practice (Volontariat)
PLATFORM München is offering five one-year paid traineeship positions for emerging professionals interested in cultural management and curatorial practice. Starting in October 2026, this intensive program is designed as a professional entry point into the cultural sector, combining practical experience with structured training.
Participants will actively contribute to the development and execution of exhibitions, workshops, and cultural events. The program emphasizes learning by doing, allowing trainees to engage both collaboratively and independently in real-world projects. Through this process, participants will build networks, refine their professional direction, and gain insight into publicly funded cultural work.
The Role Overview
- Position Type: Paid traineeship (Volontariat)
- Duration: 12 months (01 October 2026 – 30 September 2027)
- Working Hours: 30 hours per week
- Salary: €1,807 gross per month
- Additional Benefits: Subsidy for a German public transport ticket (€49)
- Location: PLATFORM München, Creative Hub Munich
- Reporting to: PLATFORM München project and curatorial team
- Program Includes: Training seminars, coaching sessions, excursions, and potential Erasmus+ mobility opportunities
Position & Tasks
Trainees will be involved in a wide range of cultural and curatorial activities, including:
- Assisting and independently contributing to the conceptualization, planning, and realization of exhibitions, workshops, panels, and events
- Supporting project management processes, including budgeting, funding applications, and reporting
- Developing skills in curation, communication, cultural mediation, and event organization
- Participating in a structured professional development program with seminars and coaching
- Engaging with partner institutions through study visits and possible international placements
- Collaborating with artists, curators, and cultural professionals in both local and international contexts
Categories
- Curatorial Practice
- Visual Arts
- Cultural Management
- Interdisciplinary Practices
- Art Education
Eligibility
- Open to graduates (Bachelor's/Master's level) in relevant fields such as cultural management, visual arts, humanities, communication, or event management
- Applicants should have initial practical experience in the cultural sector (internships, projects, or independent initiatives)
- Strong interest in curatorial work and cultural mediation
- Basic knowledge of press relations and/or event organization is an advantage
- Required language: German (very good proficiency); additional languages are a plus
- Applicants must demonstrate organizational skills, teamwork, motivation, and willingness to learn
- Open to diverse applicants regardless of gender, background, or identity; candidates with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply
Program Benefits
- Monthly salary of €1,807 (gross)
- Hands-on experience in a publicly funded cultural institution
- Participation in a structured training program (seminars, coaching, excursions)
- Opportunities for international exchange through Erasmus+
- Access to professional networks in the cultural sector
- Practical experience in the curatorial and cultural management fields
- Possibility to develop and realize an independent project proposal
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Motivation letter
- CV (Curriculum Vitae)
- Academic and professional certificates
- Personal statement (max. 1 page), including:
- A proposed professional perspective
- A project idea (e.g., exhibition, workshop, or symposium) to be developed during the traineeship
How to Apply?
Applications must be submitted via email to: bewerbung.volontariat@platform-muenchen.de
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 05 May 2026
- Interviews: Expected in Week 21 (late May 2026)
- Program Start: 01 October 2026
- Program End: 30 September 2027
Location
Munich, Germany
Additional Details
- The program emphasizes diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity
- Applicants from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply
- Candidates with disabilities will be given preference where equally qualified
- The traineeship offers insight into a model public cultural project
- Work is project-based and may involve collaboration with external institutions