Organizer Information

The Institut für moderne Kunst (Institute of Modern Art) is a registered non-profit association founded in 1967 as an information and documentation center for contemporary art. Its core mission is to document and preserve materials on international art after 1945, serve as a research archive, realize exhibitions, and publish related scholarship. Supported by the Free State of Bavaria, the City of Nuremberg, and the administrative district of Middle Franconia, the institute maintains one of Germany’s most comprehensive special libraries on post-war art and contributes to contemporary art discourse through exhibitions and publications.

Title & Description

Director (m/w/d) – Institut für moderne Kunst
The institute is seeking a new Director to assume leadership beginning 1 July 2026, initially on a three-year contract. The role entails strategic and operational leadership of the institute, advancing its mission in documentation, exhibition programming, publication, and institutional growth within regional, national, and international contemporary art contexts.

The Role Overview

  • Position Title: Director (m/w/d)
  • Contract Type: Fixed-term contract (3 years)
  • Employment Type: Full-time
  • Working Hours: 39 hours per week
  • Salary: Remuneration aligned with public service pay scale TVöD/VKA (German collective agreement for public sector employers)
  • Reports to: Institute’s Board and funding bodies (Free State of Bavaria, City of Nuremberg, Bezirk Mittelfranken)
  • Leadership: Overall leadership of institute operations, staff, budget, and strategic direction.

Position & Tasks

The Director will be responsible for:
  • Strategic and conceptual development of the institute as a visible center for contemporary art documentation and research.
  • Leadership, management, and personnel responsibility for a team of currently 11 staff (approx. 5.5 full-time equivalents).
  • Financial management and budget accountability, including grant applications and reporting to funders.
  • Acquisition of third-party funding and preparation of funding proposals.
  • Oversight and realization of exhibitions, publications, and program initiatives.
  • Public relations, networking, and institutional representation at local, national, and international levels.
  • Active engagement with cultural partnerships and stakeholders.

Categories

  • Discipline: Contemporary Art / Art Administration / Cultural Management
  • Sector: Non-profit cultural institution, archival documentation, exhibitions, publications.

Eligibility

  • Completed higher education in art history, cultural studies, or a comparable field (or equivalent professional qualification).
  • Deep expertise in national and international contemporary art (post-1945).
  • Significant professional experience within an equivalent art/cultural institution.
  • Practical experience in archival work, exhibition curation, and publication development.
  • Demonstrated leadership and team management experience.
  • Strong organizational, strategic planning, and communication skills.

Program Benefits

  • Leadership position with a broad creative and strategic scope.
  • Collaborative and engaged work environment.
  • Structured remuneration according to TVöD/VKA public sector standards.
  • Opportunity to shape the institute’s future programming, research, and outreach.
  • Involvement in high-level cultural discourse and institutional networks.

Application Fee

None

Application Requirements

  • Curriculum Vitae (detailing professional history and relevant experience).
  • References or demonstrable professional endorsements.
  • Proposed earliest start date.
  • Other supporting documents as relevant (e.g., motivation statement, leadership philosophy). (All materials to be combined into one PDF, max 5 MB.)

How to Apply?

Applications must be submitted exclusively by email to: bewerbung@moderne-kunst.org

Key Dates

  • Application Deadline: 20 February 2026
  • Start Date: 1 July 2026

Location

Nürnberg (Nuremberg), Bavaria, Germany

Additional Details

  • The Director is expected to maintain active communication with local government cultural bodies and funding partners.
  • The institute’s archival and library resources support research and program development.
  • The role offers the opportunity to influence contemporary art discourse through exhibitions and publications.

Website Link: https://www.moderne-kunst.org/institut/stellenausschreibung