Seeking Artistic Director

The City of Vienna is the 100% owner of Stadt Wien Kunst GmbH, which acts as the supporting company and organisational umbrella for the institution “Kunsthalle Wien”.

The Kunsthalle Wien is the exhibition house of the City of Vienna for international contemporary art and discourse. At its locations in the Museumsquartier and at Karlsplatz, it presents exhibitions of contemporary art and contextualises them in their socio-political environment. The Kunsthalle Wien is dedicated to art and its role in processes of social change. It is an initiator of artistic processes and a producing Kunsthalle.

On behalf of the City of Vienna, Stadt Wien Kunst GmbH invites applications for the artistic direction of Kunsthalle Wien under the following general conditions:

We are looking for personalities with artistic and socio-political vision as well as a global view of contemporary art and proven experience in the conception and realisation of exhibitions on an international level. Furthermore, experience in the development of innovative concepts for the independent profile of the Kunsthalle Wien, including artistic programme and mediation strategies, is expected, with the aim of local, national and international charisma and positioning of the Kunsthalle Wien as a flagship for contemporary art.

In addition to working closely with the management of Stadt Wien Kunst GmbH, the position requires the coordination of a team reporting to the artistic director as well as an intensive exchange with the local art scene and the national media.

Responsibilities
–Responsibility with regard to the artistic direction and programmatic positioning of the institution.
–Strategic planning in cooperation with the management of Stadt Wien Kunst GmbH
–Conception of a contemporary and visionary exhibition programme, including mediation strategies, taking into account international and local trends and actors
–Development of innovative formats of exhibiting and communicating, complemented by events at the interface of art, society and science
–Expansion of the local, national and international network
–Maintaining contacts with public funding bodies and representatives of the City of Vienna, with sponsors, the media and the art scene.

Your application should include a concept with ideas and visions for the positioning and the programmatic profile, for networking and mediation with regard to the diverse social and cultural structure in Vienna, including strategies for the integration of broad sections of the population and the local art scene, for the positive development of visitor numbers, for international openness as well as explanations of your personal understanding of leadership. The concept paper should include an exemplary first annual programme.

Requirements
–Completed relevant university studies or proof of comparable knowledge or professional experience.
–Profound knowledge of contemporary art and excellent contacts to the national and international (also non-European) art scene
–Proven expertise in the conception and implementation of contemporary, innovative and inclusive art presentations and art mediation
–Development of cooperation partnerships
–Experience in the artistic management of an exhibition house
–Strong ability to lead teams
–High communicative and integrative competence as well as experience in dealing with the public and the media
–Relevant publication activity
–Experience in fundraising and sponsoring
–Proficiency in German and English

Stadt Wien Kunst GmbH strongly invites applications for this position from women who meet the requirement profile. The position is to be filled from June 2024 at the earliest and is advertised for a functional period of up to five years. The envisaged gross annual salary is Euro 90,000. An overpayment is possible in special cases according to education and previous experience.

Interested persons are requested to send their application by e-mail to the Head of the Cultural Department of the City of Vienna, Ms. Anita Zemlyak, bewerbungen [​at​] ma07.wien.gv.at.

The closing date for applications is February 15, 2023.

Detailed information (on job profile, tasks and) about Kunsthalle Wien can be found at kunsthallewien.at.