Organizer Information
The Photoforum Pasquart is a contemporary photography institution based in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, located within the cultural complex of Pasquart. Founded in 1984, it functions as an exhibition platform dedicated to contemporary photography, lens-based media, and emerging artistic practices.
The institution plays a dual role as both an exhibition space and an experimental curatorial platform, with a strong emphasis on supporting emerging artists and fostering critical engagement between photographic practice and the public. Its programming includes solo and group exhibitions, experimental curatorial formats, public events, and educational mediation activities.
Photoforum Pasquart operates with a small curatorial team led by a director/curator and maintains a hands-on, production-oriented structure where staff members are directly involved in all stages of exhibition-making—from conceptual development to installation and public programming.
Title & Description
Assistant·e d’exposition / Exhibition Assistant Internship
This internship offers a comprehensive, practice-based introduction to the full lifecycle of contemporary photography exhibitions. The selected intern will be involved in the preparation, production, mediation, and closure of 2–3 exhibitions, gaining exposure to curatorial, technical, administrative, and public-facing aspects of institutional exhibition work.
The role is designed as an immersive professional training position where the intern participates in real-time exhibition production processes. This includes close collaboration with the director/curator, direct engagement with artists, and participation in both intellectual and physical aspects of exhibition-making.
The internship emphasizes interdisciplinary exposure across curatorial research, communication strategy, installation practices, and audience engagement.
The Role Overview
- Position Type: Paid Internship (Exhibition Assistant / Assistant·e d’exposition)
- Employment Level: 60% workload
- Contract Duration: 6 months (September 2026 – March 2027)
- Compensation: 800 CHF per month (60% basis)
- Work Structure: Small institutional team
- Reporting To: Director / Curator of Photoforum Pasquart
- Work Pattern: Typically Monday–Wednesday, flexible during installation and event periods
- Overtime Policy: Compensated with time off (time-in-lieu system)
- Working Environment: Small-scale, production-intensive museum environment with strong emphasis on collaboration and initiative
Position & Tasks
Exhibition Production
- Support the full exhibition cycle (research → production → installation → dismantling)
- Assist in curatorial research and preparation of exhibition materials
- Prepare artwork lists and documentation files
- Coordinate directly with artists and collaborators
- Participate in installation and de-installation of exhibitions (hands-on handling of artworks, wall texts, spatial setup)
Communication & Public Relations
- Draft and edit exhibition texts, press releases, and editorial materials (French and English)
- Translate exhibition-related content when required
- Manage social media content creation and scheduling
- Prepare and distribute newsletters using Mailchimp
- Update website content and exhibition pages
- Submit event listings to cultural platforms and museum directories
- Support documentation of exhibitions and public programs
Curatorial & Administrative Support
- Assist the director in daily operational and curatorial tasks
- Prepare meetings, schedules, and internal documentation
- Manage correspondence and contact databases
- Support administrative tasks including basic bookkeeping assistance
- Contribute to organizational planning and logistics
Public Engagement & Mediation
- Assist in organizing public events and guided tours
- Participate in mediation activities connecting exhibitions with audiences
- Support visitor engagement strategies during exhibition periods
Categories
- Photography
- Contemporary Art
- Curatorial Practice
- Exhibition Design / Scenography
- Museum Studies
- Cultural Mediation
- Visual Culture
- Art Administration
Eligibility
- Students currently enrolled in or recent graduates of:
- Art
- Art History
- Museology
- Curatorial Studies or related fields
- Prior experience in museums or exhibition contexts is an advantage but not required
- Strong interest in contemporary photography and exhibition design/scenography
- Language requirements:
- French (strong proficiency required)
- English (strong proficiency required)
- German (advantageous but not mandatory)
- Technical skills:
- Proficiency in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF tools
- Knowledge of Adobe InDesign or SketchUp is an asset
- Strong organizational skills, communication ability, attention to detail, and teamwork capacity
Program Benefits
- Hands-on professional training in a contemporary photography institution
- Direct experience in end-to-end exhibition production (curatorial + technical + communication)
- Close mentorship under the director/curator
- Exposure to international artists and curatorial workflows
- Participation in real exhibition installations and public programs
- Practical experience in museum communication strategies (press, digital, audience outreach)
- Insight into small-scale institutional operations and cultural management
- Paid internship (800 CHF/month)
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Motivation letter
- Availability dates
Additional implied expectations:
- Evidence of relevant studies or recent graduation
- Demonstration of interest in photography and exhibition practices
- Communication skills relevant to museum/curatorial environments
How to Apply?
Applications must be sent by email to: amelie.schuele@photoforumpasquart.ch
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 15 July 2026
- Start Date: September 2026
- End Date: March 2027
- Duration: 6 months (with possible extension)
- Notification Date: Not specified
Location
Biel/Bienne, Switzerland
Additional Details
- Internship includes a highly hands-on role, including physical installation work and direct artwork handling
- Work schedule is flexible during exhibition periods, with prior planning
- Overtime is compensated through time-off rather than additional payment
- The institution emphasizes initiative, collaboration, and independent contribution within a small team structure
- The role provides rare access to all operational levels of a mid-sized contemporary photography institution