Seeking Head of the collection of works on paper/photography after 1960 and the media collection

The Hamburger Kunsthalle has an opening starting immediately as Head of the collection of works on paper/photography after 1960 and the media collection.

As collection head in the area of contemporary art, you will contribute to shaping the profile of the Hamburger Kunsthalle. You will expand the collection and help to plan the exhibition programme. Your focus will lie on works on paper/photography after 1960 as well as the media collection. You will take a multimedia approach when conceiving exhibitions.

The collection of works on paper is historically part of the Kupferstichkabinett (Department of Prints and Drawings). Exhibitions organised bythis department are held in the Galerie der Gegenwart (Gallery of Contemporary Art). Accordingly, you will oversee and develop the collection in close collaboration with the Head of the Contemporary Art Collection and the Head of the Department of Prints and Drawings.

You are in possession of in-depth knowledge of contemporary art as well as scholarly expertise and experience in working with others in the areas of conservation, collections management, registrar functions, fundraising, communications and museum education and outreach. An openattitude to the art of other time periods, media and regions as well as an interdisciplinary approach are a matter of course for you.

Your duties will include
–Scholarly supervision of the Contemporary Art Collection with a focus on works on paper – drawings, prints and photography after 1960– as well as the media collection 
–Indexing the collection via the database, physical files, publications, digital media, etc. 
–Continuous further development of the collection concept on an international level in contact with the relevant people and institutions, including artists, foundations, etc. through acquisitions, donations, bequests, permanent loans, etc. 
–Close cooperation and coordination of work on the collection and its expansion with the Gallery of Contemporary Art, the Department of Prints and Drawings and the library, e.g., with respect to the Kunsthalle’s collection of artist books
–Conception and realisation of exhibitions and collection presentations on contemporary art as part of the overall concept of the Gallery of Contemporary Art, as well as contributing to overarching monographic/thematic exhibitions (including for the Triennial of Photography Hamburg), including publications (analogue and digital)
–Conception and realisation of events and programmes accompanying exhibitions, e.g., symposia, artist talks (analogue and digital)
–Supervision and guidance of assistant curators and training of research volunteers in connection with various projects
–Cross-department cooperation within the Kunsthalle as well as with external partners in the field of contemporary art, for example museums, exhibition venues, universities, foundations, etc.

Your knowledge and skills profile
–University degree in the field of art history or comparable subjects (master’s degree, preferably with doctorate) and academic activity in the field of contemporary art documented by publications
–Extensive knowledge and several years of experience in the field of international contemporary art, with a focus on art on paper as well as media art
–Experience in conceiving, planning and realising international, interdisciplinary exhibitions and accompanying programmes and events as well as publications
–Professional background in museum work, ideally in a comparable position
–Experience with digitalisation, in particular with databases and digital media and formats
–Excellent conceptual and organisational skills
–Demonstrated project and process management competence
–Strong communication and networking skills
–Fluent in German and English as well as ideally another foreign language

The Hamburger Kunsthalle strives to ensure that the city’s social diversity is reflected in its employees. We welcome applications from all people, regardless of origin, and we promote gender equality and work-life balance. Severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration given equal suitability and professional performance.

Weekly working time is currently 40 hours. This is an offer of permanent employment. The salaryis in accordance with the German pay category 14 TV-AVH. Please address any questions to Marion Blicke (tel. 040/428 131 263).

Please send your complete and detailed application documents, including a CV and references but without photo, by 9 April 2023 by email to bewerbung [​at​] hamburger-kunsthalle.de (maximum 6 MB, only PDF attachments) or by post to the following address: 

Hamburger Kunsthalle 
Stiftung öffentlichen Rechts
Glockengießerwall 5, 20095 Hamburg (Germany)

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