OPEN CALL:Portikus Seeks New Curator

The Städelschule in Frankfurt am Main was established in 1817. The school offers degrees in Fine Arts, Architecture, and Curatorial Studies, features an international team of acclaimed faculty and staff, and attracts a diverse student body. The Städelschule’s exhibition space, Portikus, was founded in 1987. Today, it is widely known as a prominent center for contemporary art, exhibiting both emerging and established artists from around the world. For Portikus, Städelschule seeks a Curator (d/f/m) for a two-year full-time contract (extendable), grouping according to TV-Hessen (if the requirements are met EG 13 TV-Hessen) beginning on January 1, 2022, at the latest.

The curator is to develop and implement an innovative and critically relevant exhibition program in dialogue with Portikus director, working closely with artists on new commissions, catalogues and editions. Aided by a talented three-person team, an active and engaged Friends Association, and supported by Städelschule faculty and administration, the curator engages with diverse local and international audiences and Städelschule’s student community. An ideal candidate is dynamic and well connected and has a proven record in fundraising and maintaining excellent working relationships with artists, patrons, collectors and colleagues from other international institutions beyond Europe and the United States.

Responsibilities:
–Initiate and organize exhibitions and commissions with artists
–Develop exhibition budgets and annual fundraising strategy together with Portikus director
–Plan and manage the institutional budget and oversee expenditure
–Build fruitful relationships with funding bodies and sponsors
–The position includes the opportunity for mentoring curatorial studies at Städelschule.

Qualifications:
–A minimum of a master’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Curatorial Studies or a related field and/or equivalent demonstrated professional experience
–A minimum of three years’ experience organizing exhibitions in an art museum, gallery, or equivalent organization
–Outstanding experience in overseeing complex exhibition projects and managing new commissions (incl. contracts and budgets), substantial experience in installing art exhibitions
–Demonstrated ability to work closely and productively with artists and exhibition teams (technical team, curatorial team) within budgetary and time constraints
–Significant experience in managing budgets, overseeing institutional operations and administration
–Excellent written, spoken, and interpersonal communication skills, and the ability to serve as a public-facing ambassador of Portikus and Städelschule
–Evidence of a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in curatorial practice, programming, and audience engagement
–Proficiency in German (native speaker) and English is a prerequisite (written and spoken).

Applicants must submit the following documents:
–Cover letter
–Current curriculum vitae
–Samples of three published essays
–Three letters of recommendation including contact information

Please submit your application materials as a single PDF to the following e-mail account by August 31, 2021: personal@staedelschule.de with the subject line “Application for Curator at Portikus.” Review of applications will begin in September and will continue until the position is filled or the posting is closed.

The Städelschule aims to increase the proportion of women in artistic and academic staff and in management positions and strongly encourages applications from qualified women, who will be given preferential consideration if they have the same qualifications until they reach a 50% quota in the respective staff category. Likewise, the Städelschule is committed to anti-discriminatory measures in its personnel policy and to increasing diversity among its staff. Furthermore, the Städelschule strives to create application and working conditions that are as barrier-free as possible. In this context, the Städelschule actively supports applications from people with disabilities.

Applicants are not entitled to reimbursement of travel and accommodation expenses incurred as part of the admission process.

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