Job offer: HELLERAU Directorship - European Centre for the Arts

HELLERAU Directorship - European Centre for the Arts Dresden

Invitation to Tender

The state capital of Dresden is recruiting for the position of

Artistic Director from 1.7.2018

for HELLERAU - European Centre for the Arts Dresden.

HELLERAU - European Centre for the Arts in Dresden is an institution of the state capital Dresden, hosting around 200 events and welcoming 34,000 visitors to one of the most important interdisciplinary centres for contemporary art in Germany and Europe. The focal points of the artistic work are currently performing arts/dance, music and new media. Since 2005, the Dresden Frankfurt Dance Company (until 2015 The Forsythe Company) has held a residence here which is contractually secured until 2018 in the framework of a cooperation agreement. In addition, HELLERAU is the location of the

Archive of German Composers as well as other research sites and archives. HELLERAU is located on the grounds of the eponymous Festival House, which, through its architectural clarity and multi-functional spatial structure for the modern landmark building ensemble of Heinrich Tessenow, inspires artists in their work until this very day. A regular games operation has been held here since the end of the renovations in the main building, 2009. Following on from the laboratory thought of the time of its origin, HELLERAU is a "workplace of art", providing a framework for artistic experiment, reflection and presentation.

The Artistic Director, with the support of the commercial management, bears artistic, economic and organisational responsibility for the overall direction operation with 20 permanent employees, including the extensive acquisition of third party funding. The future artistic director should decisively increase the profile of HELLERAU as an interdisciplinary centre of contemporary arts with an international presence, participate in the structural and conceptual overall development of the area and recruit relevant local actors (especially from the independent scene) into the location-specific concept. Responsibilities include:

- Design of a play schedule with interdisciplinary influences consisting of the house’s own productions and co-productions, guest performances and festivals under consideration of existing cooperation with a focus on performing arts and contemporary music

- Further development of cooperation with initiatives based on the festival grounds (including the German Werkbund Saxony e.V., trans-Media Academy Hellerau e.V.)

- Developing and expanding cooperation with other social groups and actors in urban society

- Developing HELLERAU’s international network and further development of its profile as a place for contemporary artists to work and experiment

- Developing of appropriate teaching formats within the meaning of cultural education as well as audience development

- Planning, organising and controlling all operations

- Total personnel responsibility

- Representating the establishment, cooperation with the bodies of the city council and the city administration of the state capital Dresden

Candidates must have many years of practical experience in the management of a similar culture operation, strong leadership, design skills, negotiating skills as well as secure communications in an international context and a high degree of social competence.

Very good interdisciplinary knowledge of contemporary, international culture business is required as well as a viable personal network.

The position is on the basis of a non-tariff fixed-term contract. The state capital Dresden calls for equal opportunities for women and men and expressly calls for suitable candidates to apply. Severely disabled applicants will be given preferential treatment if other qualifications are the same.

If you would like more information, Mrs Annekatrin Klepsch, the adjunct for Culture and Tourism, is available on

(Tel. 0351 4 88 89 01). A written artistic concept for the artistic director is requested with the application. The application deadline is 31.05.2016.

Applications are to be sent to the state capital Dresden, business area of culture and tourism, P.O. Box 12 00 20, 01001 Dresden. The application process is accompanied by a selection committee.