Organizer Information
The position is offered within the Berlin Artists-in-Residence Programme (BKP), operated under the umbrella of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). DAAD Artists-in-Berlin Programme is one of the most established and prestigious residency institutions in Europe, with more than 60 years of continuous operation. It has hosted over 1,200 international artists and is widely recognized for shaping contemporary artistic discourse through long-term residencies, curatorial programs, and interdisciplinary exchange.
The programme is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office and the State of Berlin, positioning it as both a cultural diplomacy initiative and a high-level curatorial platform. Its institutional structure combines residency management, exhibition production, public programming, and research-based publication activity, primarily through its Berlin gallery space (daadgalerie) and associated international partnerships.
Title & Description
Head of Fine Arts – Berlin Artists-in-Residence Programme (BKP)
This position is a senior curatorial and leadership role responsible for directing the Fine Arts division of the BKP. The selected candidate will oversee the conceptual, curatorial, and strategic development of visual arts programming within one of Europe’s most influential residency frameworks.
The role focuses on shaping exhibitions, commissioning new artistic projects, and expanding interdisciplinary formats for fellows and alumni of the residency. It also includes significant responsibility in editorial production, public programming, and institutional communication. The Head of Fine Arts plays a key role in defining the artistic identity of the programme, ensuring international visibility, and maintaining the programme’s relevance within global contemporary art discourse.
This is not an artistic production role but a high-level curatorial and administrative leadership position embedded within a public cultural institution.
The Role Overview
- Position Title: Head of Fine Arts, Berlin Artists-in-Residence Programme (BKP)
- Institutional Unit: B12 – Berlin Artists-in-Residence Programme
- Contract Type: Fixed-term contract (2 years, without objective reason; extension possible)
- Working Hours: 39 hours per week
- Salary: TVöD Bund EG 13 (approx. €60,000–€70,000 gross annually)
- Location: Berlin, Germany
- Start Date: 01 August 2026
- Reporting Structure: Works within BKP organisational leadership and collaborates with curatorial teams, jury members, and institutional partners
- Key Responsibility Areas: Curatorial leadership, institutional strategy, exhibition programming, editorial direction, budgeting, and international cooperation
Position & Tasks
- Lead the visual arts section of BKP
- Design and curate exhibitions and artistic projects for residents and alumni
- Develop interdisciplinary and experimental exhibition formats
- Contribute to jury processes by recommending and briefing selection panels
- Oversee editorial production including catalogues, essays, and academic publications
- Manage digital and print communication, including website content and social media strategy
- Organize and moderate talks, symposia, colloquia, and artist presentations
- Represent BKP internationally at conferences, panels, and institutional partnerships
- Establish collaborations with museums, galleries, and cultural institutions worldwide
- Manage budget planning, financial oversight, and external funding acquisition
- Contribute to digital archive development and institutional knowledge preservation
Categories
- Curatorial Practice
- Visual Arts
- Contemporary Art
- Art History
- Cultural Management
- Exhibition Making
- Interdisciplinary Arts
- Art Writing / Editorial Practice
Eligibility
- Hold a completed academic degree (Master’s, Diploma, Magister, or State Examination), preferably in Art History or Cultural Studies
- Have proven experience as a curator in international art contexts and/or academic teaching experience
- Demonstrate strong knowledge of cultural management and project development
- Have experience in funding acquisition and sponsorship negotiation
- Possess high-level intercultural competence
- Demonstrate strong communication, negotiation, and teamwork skills
- Be fluent in German and English (C1 level required)
Desirable:
- Knowledge of DAAD funding structures and scholarship guidelines
- Familiarity with public budgeting systems and procurement law
- Additional foreign language skills
Program Benefits
- Competitive public-sector salary (TVöD Bund EG 13)
- Annual bonus payment and pension scheme
- 30 days paid annual leave
- Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work (approx. 50% remote possible)
- Subsidised public transport ticket (Deutschlandticket)
- Professional training and development opportunities
- Access to a highly international institutional network
- Leadership role within a globally recognized curatorial programme
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Academic degree certificates
- Full CV (in German)
- Cover letter (in German)
- Portfolio of curatorial or professional work (if applicable)
- Proof of language proficiency (German & English C1)
- Documentation of professional experience in curating, cultural management, or academia
How to Apply?
Online Application
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 17 May 2026
- Expected Start Date: 01 August 2026
- Contract Duration: 2 years (with possible extension)
Location
Berlin, Germany
Additional Details
This position is embedded in a high-profile institutional structure combining curatorial work with administrative leadership. It requires not only artistic expertise but also strong institutional literacy, including budgeting systems, funding frameworks, and international cultural diplomacy.
Given the programme’s role in global artistic exchange, the Head of Fine Arts acts as both curator and cultural representative, engaging with artists, institutions, and funding bodies across multiple geopolitical contexts. The role demands a balance between conceptual curatorial thinking and pragmatic institutional management.