Organizer Information
Kunsthalle Graubünden is a newly founded institution set to open in Chur, Switzerland, at the end of 2026, established as a non-commercial venue for contemporary art. It is conceived as a platform for emerging artists and a space for artistic and curatorial experimentation, positioned to respond agilely to relevant contemporary themes. Rooted in the alpine region, the Kunsthalle takes on the site-specific challenge of thinking about art innovatively in the context of Graubünden and the alpine space, while reflecting its own standpoint and connecting to global discourses. It is described elsewhere as aiming to become an anchor point for contemporary art in the alpine region, acting as a resonance space that reflects the present through art and treats it as an artistic challenge. The institution sits within a broader Graubünden art scene that includes the long-established Bündner Kunstmuseum in Chur and various regional galleries and public-art initiatives.
Title & Description
Künstlerische Leitung (Artistic Direction), 50–70% — Kunsthalle Graubünden, Chur
Kunsthalle Graubünden is seeking a curator or curatorial collective to take on the institution's Artistic Direction from March 1, 2027 (or by agreement), for a four-year term. The role carries overall responsibility for the exhibition programme, aiming to test out multi-voiced curatorial approaches through ambitious exhibitions by artists from Graubünden, Switzerland, and abroad, with audience engagement and mediation understood as integral to the curatorial concept from the outset. As the Kunsthalle is a newly founded institution, this is an opportunity to help shape its profile and direction from its earliest stages.
The Role Overview
- Position Type: Part-time (50–70%)
- Contract Type: Fixed-term, 4 years
- Working Hours: 50–70% of full-time
- Start Date: March 1, 2027 (or by mutual agreement)
- Reports To: The Kunsthalle's Vorstand (Board)
- Department / Programme: Artistic/Curatorial Direction, Kunsthalle Graubünden
Position & Tasks
- Overall responsibility for the Kunsthalle Graubünden's exhibition programme (3–4 exhibitions per year, including an accompanying events programme)
- Text work, public addresses/speeches, and mediation
- Shared responsibility for fundraising and for the budget
- Administrative duties
- Maintaining a network with artists, institutions, funders, and the public
Categories
- Curatorial Practice
- Contemporary Art
- Exhibition Programming
- Arts Administration
- Fundraising & Development
- Alpine/Regional Art Discourse
- Public Engagement & Mediation
Eligibility
- Open to an individual curator or a curatorial collective
- No nationality restriction stated in the source
- Independent, open, and communicative personality with a hands-on mentality
- Demonstrated professional experience curating contemporary art, including supporting new artistic productions, project management, and budget responsibility
- Very good knowledge of the Graubünden and Swiss art scenes, plus a Switzerland-wide network
- Excellent editorial/writing skills in German and English (knowledge of additional Swiss cantonal/national languages is an advantage)
Program Benefits
- Opportunity to help shape the profile of a newly founded institution
- Autonomy and freedom to implement ideas
- Straightforward collaboration with an engaged Board
- Central workplace in Chur's old town (Altstadt), with home-office possible by arrangement
- Health/medical insurance: Not specified in the source
- Pension or retirement contributions: Not specified in the source
- Vacation days or paid leave: Not specified in the source
- Professional development allowance: Not specified in the source
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Motivation letter (Motivationsschreiben)
- CV with references/certificates (Lebenslauf mit Zeugnissen)
- A vision statement for the Kunsthalle Graubünden, maximum one A4 page
How to Apply?
Email application documents to: ciao@kunsthallegraubuenden.ch
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 2 August 2026
- Start Date: 1 March 2027
- Contract Duration: 4 years
Location
Chur, Switzerland
Additional Details
- Questions about the position can be sent to the same email address: ciao@kunsthallegraubuenden.ch
- The Kunsthalle is described as reacting agilely to relevant contemporary themes and reflecting on its own standpoint while connecting to global discourses from its alpine setting