Organizer Information
Schinkel Pavillon Trägerverein e.V. is a Kunstverein (art association) founded in 2007, dedicated to contemporary art in Berlin and curated under the artistic direction of Nina Pohl. The institution occupies the Schinkel Pavillon, a pavilion built in 1969 by architect Richard Paulick, set in the garden of the former Kronprinzenpalais on Oberwallstraße in Berlin-Mitte — a site with a distinctive institutional history, having housed the New Department of the Nationalgalerie from 1919, considered the world's first museum dedicated to contemporary art. The listed, octagon-shaped building offers views across Berlin's historic center, including Museum Island and the Friedrichswerder Church. Today, the Schinkel Pavillon presents an international program of contemporary art with a particular emphasis on sculpture, installation, and media art, and is known for expansive solo presentations that engage directly with the pavilion's architecture, bringing emerging artists into conversation with historically significant positions.
Title & Description
Curator / Deputy Artistic Director (m/f/d)
Schinkel Pavillon Trägerverein e.V. is seeking a Curator for its Berlin institution, with the prospect of the role developing into Deputy Artistic Director following an appropriate onboarding period. The position is being filled at the earliest possible date and can be structured as full-time or part-time.
The role combines curatorial responsibility with institutional leadership. The Curator will independently develop exhibitions and projects, bring international networks to the institution, and help shape its programmatic direction and ongoing development. Working under the artistic direction of Nina Pohl, and in close collaboration with the Head of Production and the Managing Director, the successful candidate will share responsibility for curatorial work as well as for public funding applications and third-party fundraising. The position is also expected to further develop the exhibition and presentation strategy, manage budgets and schedules, and maintain relationships with artists, lenders, and institutions internationally. As the role develops toward Deputy Artistic Director, it carries additional expectations around team leadership, institutional strategy, and expanding the circle of supporters and cooperation partners in Germany and abroad.
The Role Overview
- Position Type: Full-time or part-time possible
- Salary: Remuneration based on the German public sector pay scale (TVöD), pay grade 13, dependent on qualifications and professional experience
- Reports To: Artistic Director (Nina Pohl); works closely with the Head of Production and the Managing Director
- Department / Programme: Curatorial team, Schinkel Pavillon Trägerverein e.V.
- Institutional Context: Leadership position with prospect of promotion to Deputy Artistic Director after an onboarding period
Position & Tasks
- Curatorial Responsibility and Institutional Development
- Conception and realization of an innovative exhibition program in the field of contemporary sculpture, from emerging artists worldwide to established positions, taking into account international actors and collections
- Further development of the exhibition program and conception of new education and outreach formats, in collaboration with the Artistic Director, the Managing Director, and Project Management
- Writing publications and text materials for internal and external communication
- Sponsorship acquisition and soliciting donations
- Project-related administration, assistance with accounting and processing of public funding (in particular HKF and KSB), communication with funding bodies, and involvement in budget planning and monitoring
- Development of new formats and cooperations
- Strengthening the institution's international visibility
- Strategic positioning of the Schinkel Pavillon within the Berlin and international art landscape
- Deputy Artistic Director (prospective)
- Guiding and supporting a team, creating a culture of creativity and collaboration
- Expansion of the circle of supporters and friends
- Acquisition of cooperation partners in Germany and abroad
Categories
- Curatorial Practice
- Contemporary Art
- Sculpture
- Installation Art
- Media Art
- Institutional Leadership
- Arts Administration
- Fundraising & Development
Eligibility
- Completed university degree in art history, curatorial studies, cultural studies, or a comparable qualification
- Several years of curatorial experience with final responsibility at a Kunsthalle, Kunstverein, or museum
- Sound experience in fundraising, third-party funding acquisition, and working with funding structures
- Excellent knowledge of modern and contemporary art
- Experience in developing and implementing complex exhibition projects
- Confident handling of budgets, resource planning, and project management
- Experience working with funding bodies, artists, lenders, and institutional partners
- Full professional proficiency in English required
- Native-level German required, both spoken and written
- For the Deputy Artistic Director track specifically: experience at a senior level or demonstrable leadership experience is a prerequisite
- For the Deputy Artistic Director track specifically: strong communication, leadership, and organizational skills, and the ability to strategically and programmatically develop an institution
Program Benefits
- Remuneration based on the German public sector pay scale (TVöD), pay grade 13, dependent on qualifications and experience
- Prospect of career progression to Deputy Artistic Director following an appropriate onboarding period
- Flexible working arrangement (full-time or part-time possible)
- Other specific benefits (health insurance, pension, leave, professional development allowance, etc.) not specified in the source
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Complete application documents submitted as a single PDF document
- A statement indicating why the candidate is interested in the advertised position
- Application to be sent exclusively by e-mail, addressed to Nina Pohl
How to Apply?
Applications must be sent by e-mail to info@schinkelpavillon.de, attn. Nina Pohl — Subject line: "Kurator*in"
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 28 August 2026
Location
Berlin, Germany
Additional Details
- Selected applicants will be invited to an interview.
- All applications will be treated confidentially.
- The organizer states it is unable to reimburse any costs incurred during the application process.
- Questions regarding the position and application process can be directed to info@schinkelpavillon.de.