Organizer Information
transmediale e.V. is a Berlin-based cultural organisation and festival platform dedicated to critical engagement with art, technology, digital culture, science, and society. With a history spanning more than four decades, transmediale has developed an international network of artists, researchers, and practitioners working across contemporary art and technological culture. Its annual festival, held at the end of January, forms the core of its programming and is complemented by year-round activities including publications, events, commissions, and artist residencies. Since 2025, transmediale has invited a new curator for each festival edition, encouraging different perspectives on contemporary art and technology. The organisation has been supported by the German Federal Cultural Foundation as a cultural institution of excellence since 2004.
Title & Description
Open Call for Festival Curation 2028 — transmediale
Open Call for Festival Curation 2028 invites one or more experienced curators to develop the curatorial concept and programme for transmediale 2028. The selected curator or curatorial group will establish the festival's theme, title, programme structure, and selection of participants, projects, and artworks.
The 2028 festival is expected to take place during the last week of January 2028 and will include discourse formats such as lectures, panels, conversations, presentations, and talks, alongside workshops, video and film, performances, and art projects. The curator will work closely with the transmediale team, executive and advisory boards, partners, and stakeholders.
transmediale is particularly interested in curatorial approaches that introduce genuinely new questions and reference points to the field, grounded in critical reflection and political engagement rather than simply following technological trends.
Categories
- Art & Digital Culture
- Curating
- Contemporary Art
- Media Art
- Film & Video
- Performance
- Technology
- Science
- Research
- Discourse
- Workshops
- Interdisciplinary Practice
Eligibility
The opportunity is open internationally to individual curators or groups with previous curatorial experience. Applicants should:
- Have comprehensive knowledge of international contemporary and media art.
- Have at least 5 years of experience in programme development across multiple formats.
- Demonstrate a clear curatorial and thematic vision and an experimental approach.
- Have experience with fundraising for cultural and artistic projects.
- Have an international or supra-regional network within the art and cultural sector.
- Demonstrate excellent communication, collaboration, integrity, and organisational skills.
- Be fluent in either English or German, with at least a good command of English.
- Support transmediale's values concerning dignity, safety, equal treatment, and non-discrimination.
Experience leading cultural projects or initiatives is advantageous.
Program Benefits & Awards
The selected curator or curatorial group will receive a freelance contract to develop and deliver the transmediale 2028 festival programme. Compensation is:
- €40,000 net for an individual curator.
- €50,000 net for a curatorial group.
The position provides the opportunity to shape the concept, theme, title, participants, artworks, events, and broader programme of a major international festival of art and digital culture. The curator will also contribute to fundraising, public relations, partnerships, and transmediale's international and local networks.
A possible contract extension for the 2029 edition may be considered in summer 2027 by transmediale's Advisory and Executive Board.
Application Fee
None
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
- Interview: 30 October 2026, online
- Position Period: December 2026 – March 2028
- Relocation to Berlin: Required from October/November 2027
- Full-Time Commitment: From October 2027
- Festival: Last week of January 2028
- Possible Contract Extension Decision: Summer 2027, for the 2029 edition
Location
Berlin, Germany
Additional Details
The role requires approximately 70% overall commitment throughout the contract period, increasing to full-time from October 2027. The curator will be responsible not only for the artistic and curatorial direction but also for programme development, participant and artwork selection, written materials, public relations, fundraising, budget-related responsibilities, team collaboration, and reporting.
Following the application deadline, a shortlist will be created. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed and asked to present a festival concept for transmediale 2028. The interview and presentation will be conducted in English. The interview panel includes members of the transmediale team and board members Nora Al-Badri, Inke Arns, Asia Bazdyrieva, Gabriele Horn, and Jussi Parikka.