Curator for Design

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Kunstgewerbemuseum, Berlin

Location: Matthäikirchplatz, 10785 Berlin, Germany
Position Type: Permanent, Full-Time (39 hours per week; part-time options available)
Salary: According to EG 13 TVöD Bund
Application Deadline: 04 April 2025
Contract Start: As soon as possible

The Kunstgewerbemuseum, one of Germany’s largest cultural institutions and a globally recognized center for European applied arts and design, is seeking a Curator for Design. The museum houses world-famous examples of European craftsmanship and design from the Middle Ages to the present. It collects, researches, and communicates the processes of design, production, and appropriation of these artistically crafted objects while exploring human interaction with the built environment from multiple perspectives.

Key Responsibilities

Collection Management & Research:
- Curate and oversee the museum’s 20th- and 21st-century design collections.
- Develop and implement strategies for collection management and public engagement, incorporating sustainability aspects.
Exhibition Development:
- Conceptualize, plan, and execute both permanent and special exhibitions, including related media and events.
- Ensure effective knowledge transfer from the collection to diverse audiences and expand the museum’s research network.
Funding & External Engagement:
- Secure third-party funding nationally and internationally for research, restoration, and exhibition projects.
- Represent the museum in scientific and curatorial contexts and contribute to the strategic development of the institution.

Candidate Profile

Education:
- A completed university degree (Master’s, Magister/Magistra, or equivalent) in Art History or a related discipline, with a PhD being preferable.
Expertise:
- Excellent scholarly knowledge of 20th- and 21st-century design history.
- Proven ability to engage in contemporary museological and societal discourses.
Experience:
- Extensive project management experience and a solid background in museum mediation.
- Familiarity with budget planning, control, and third-party funding acquisition.
Additional Skills:
- Proficiency in English and at least one other European language is desirable.
- Strong network within national and international art and cultural history sectors.
- Experience in organizational and change management is an asset.

What We Offer

An exciting role in one of Germany’s most significant cultural institutions, centrally located in Berlin.
A varied and challenging work environment with broad creative freedom and influence.
Flexible working hours, attractive part-time models, and options for mobile work.
Benefits including a job ticket with employer contribution, an annual health promotion subsidy, and extensive opportunities for professional development.