Organizer Information
Kultur Ruhr GmbH is one of Germany’s major public cultural institutions dedicated to producing and presenting contemporary, interdisciplinary, and experimental arts programming across the Ruhr metropolitan region. Supported by the state of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Regionalverband Ruhr, the organization operates several influential cultural platforms, including Ruhrtriennale, Chorwerk Ruhr, Tanzlandschaft Ruhr, and Urbane Künste Ruhr.
Urbane Künste Ruhr functions as a decentralized institution for contemporary art in public space, focusing on site-specific artistic production, urban research, socially engaged practices, and experimental exhibition formats throughout the Ruhr region. Under the artistic direction of Britta Peters, the platform collaborates with local and international artists, curators, architects, and cultural partners to create temporary artistic interventions, public programs, and traveling formats such as the Grand Snail Tour.
The institution is recognized for combining curatorial experimentation with urban cultural production and for fostering interdisciplinary dialogue between art, architecture, performance, and civic space. Its projects frequently involve complex technical installations and public-space exhibition formats, making technical production a central element of its operational structure.
Title & Description
Urbane Künste Ruhr Technical Director / Technical Manager (Full-Time Position)
Urbane Künste Ruhr is seeking a full-time Technical Director / Technical Manager (Technische Leitung) to oversee the planning, coordination, and implementation of its exhibitions, events, and artistic production formats across the Ruhr region in Germany. The position is available at the earliest possible date and is currently fixed-term until 31 October 2027, with the possibility of extension.
This role is designed for experienced professionals working at the intersection of contemporary art production, exhibition technology, architecture, event management, and cultural infrastructure. The selected candidate will work closely with the Artistic Director, project management team, and Technical Director of Kultur Ruhr GmbH to realize ambitious interdisciplinary art projects in public and institutional spaces.
The position combines technical leadership, project coordination, logistical planning, safety management, and communication across artistic and administrative teams. The role is especially suited for applicants with expertise in exhibition production, architecture, event technology, or construction-related project management within the arts and culture sector.
As Urbane Künste Ruhr frequently develops projects in temporary, urban, and site-responsive contexts, the Technical Manager will play a crucial role in translating artistic concepts into feasible and safe production strategies. The role also requires collaboration with external contractors, technicians, service providers, and cultural institutions involved in the realization of large-scale public and exhibition-based projects.
The Role Overview
- Position Type: Full-time employment position
- Contract Duration: Fixed-term until 31 October 2027
- Extension Possibility: Yes
- Employer: Kultur Ruhr GmbH / Urbane Künste Ruhr
- Location: Bochum, Germany
- Department: Urbane Künste Ruhr
- Reporting Structure: Works closely with Artistic Direction, Project Management, and Technical Director
- Work Environment: Contemporary art production, exhibition infrastructure, public cultural programming
- Salary: Performance-based remuneration (exact amount not specified)
- Additional Benefits: Pension scheme, flexible working arrangements, partial mobile work option
Position & Tasks
The Technical Director / Technical Manager will oversee all technical aspects of Urbane Künste Ruhr’s projects and artistic productions. Main responsibilities include:
- Independent coordination and management of all technical project requirements
- Acting as liaison between artistic, technical, and administrative teams
- Technical evaluation of artistic concepts and development of practical implementation solutions
- Planning and realization of exhibition and event installations
- Budget estimation, materials planning, and staffing coordination
- Preparation of tender documents, technical specifications, and procurement recommendations
- Coordination and documentation of site visits and technical inspections
- Management of external contractors, technicians, and service providers
- Ensuring smooth technical workflows and compliance with legal regulations
- Development of risk assessments and safety concepts for public events and exhibitions
- Collaboration on interdisciplinary and public-space cultural productions
The role requires both strategic planning abilities and hands-on experience in technical production processes within contemporary cultural contexts.
Categories
- Technical Production
- Exhibition Management
- Contemporary Art
- Public Art
- Architecture
- Event Production
- Installation Art
- Urban Art
- Site-Specific Practices
- Cultural Management
- Interdisciplinary Arts
Eligibility
- Degree in Architecture, Civil Engineering, or related field
- Alternatively, a vocational or master 's-level qualification in event technology
- Several years of professional experience in exhibition or event production
- Experience in arts and culture contexts preferred
- Proficiency in AutoCAD
- Good English language skills
- Strong organizational, negotiation, and communication skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary environments
- Flexibility and resilience during intensive production phases
- Willingness to work flexible schedules, including weekends when required
- Valid Class B driver’s license
The employer welcomes applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, disability, age, or sexual orientation.
Program Benefits
- Full-time employment within a major German cultural institution
- Opportunity to work on innovative interdisciplinary art productions
- Experience with public-space contemporary art projects
- Collaborative and open working culture
- Flexible working schedule
- Possibility for partial remote/mobile work
- Pension and employment-related social benefits
- Central office location near Bochum Westpark
- Professional engagement with international artists and cultural partners
- Opportunity to contribute to large-scale cultural programming in the Ruhr region
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- Cover letter
- CV / résumé (tabular format requested)
- Certificates and references
- Complete application in PDF format
- Maximum file size: 5 MB
Applications must be submitted exclusively via email.
How to Apply?
Applications should be submitted by email to: bewerbung@kulturruhr.com
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 2 June 2026
- Start Date: Earliest possible starting date
- Contract End Date: 31 October 2027
- Extension Option: Possible
- Notification Timeline: Not specified
Location
Bochum, Germany
Additional Details
Urbane Künste Ruhr operates through decentralized and often temporary artistic formats, meaning that many productions take place in unconventional urban and public contexts rather than traditional museum environments. This makes the role particularly relevant for professionals experienced in adaptive exhibition systems, public-space interventions, and technically complex cultural production.
The institution strongly values interdisciplinary collaboration and experimental artistic practices. Projects frequently involve artists, architects, curators, technicians, municipalities, and civic stakeholders working together across different production scales and environments.
Applicants should be comfortable navigating fast-paced production schedules, multi-site coordination, and collaborative communication structures within a highly dynamic contemporary art setting