Head of Contemporary Art

Head of Contemporary Art (Post-1960) – Kunstmuseum Basel

Location: Basel, Switzerland
Employment Type: Full-time, 5-year contract
Start Date: June 1, 2025, or by agreement

Kunstmuseum Basel is home to the world’s oldest public art collection and is one of Switzerland’s most prestigious museums. The museum operates across three sites: the Hauptbau, Neubau, and Gegenwart, with the latter dedicated exclusively to contemporary art. The institution collaborates closely with the Emanuel Hoffmann Foundation and Schaulager.

The Head of Contemporary Art (Post-1960) will lead the museum’s contemporary art department, overseeing collection research and development, exhibition programming, and institutional strategy. This role involves curating dynamic exhibitions, fostering engagement with contemporary artistic discourse, and managing the operational, financial, and administrative aspects of the department. The position also carries leadership responsibility for the Kunstmuseum Basel | Gegenwart building.

Key Responsibilities

• Collection Research & Development: Oversee the care, study, and expansion of Kunstmuseum Basel’s contemporary art collection, in collaboration with the Emanuel Hoffmann Foundation and Schaulager.
• Exhibition Curation: Develop and execute special exhibitions, collection displays, and public programs, incorporating both the museum’s holdings and external works.
• Contemporary Art Engagement: Strengthen the museum’s contemporary art profile, integrating critical discourse on diversity, inclusion, and social issues into programming.
• Department Leadership: Provide strategic, financial, and administrative oversight for the Post-1960 / Contemporary Art department, managing staff and project teams.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Master’s degree or PhD in Art History, specializing in contemporary art.
• Experience:
  • Extensive curatorial experience in an international museum or exhibition setting.
  • Strong background in museum management and leadership.
  • Well-established global network in the contemporary art world.
  • Proven success in securing third-party funding.
• Skills:
  • Strategic and organizational leadership abilities.
  • Excellent communication and public speaking skills.
  • Strong writing and editorial skills.
• Languages:
  • Fluency in German and English (spoken and written) is required.
  • French proficiency is preferred.