SEEKING DIRECTOR

The Board of Fotogalleriet is excited to announce the opportunity to lead the foremost kunsthalle for photography in Norway.

Application deadline: 21 May, 1 PM CET

Full time, fixed-term position for four years that can be renewed for four additional years.

Start date: 1 August 2024, or by agreement.

Fotogalleriet has a strong position and recognised profile nationally and internationally. We are looking for a Director who is passionate about artistic photography and its place in society, and who wants to shape the discussions in the field. We offer an opportunity for professional development, access to a dynamic arts community, and a collaborative, creative and culturally diverse work environment.

The Director is Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director.

In line with Fotogalleriet’s current motto “WHO SEES. WHO IS SEEN.” our future Director will be a courageous voice in the contemporary art field, challenging conventional ways of mediating art.

With the professional focus and knowledge generated by Fotogalleriet’s ambitious programme, our future Director will continue to strengthen the institution’s public presence. This includes developing and engaging our audiences, collaborating with relevant artists, contributing to a national and international field, and developing local, national and international networks.

The incoming Director will lead and mentor a skilled staff consisting of Curator/Head of Exhibitions, Head of Mediation and Communications, Art Mediator, Curatorial Fellow, Technician, other short term staff, and our Youth Advisory Board. The Director is able to create a good working environment that inspires our employees and closest partners.

Fotogalleriet was founded in 1977 and is the only kunsthalle in Norway specialising in art photography and visual culture. The institution collaborates with relevant artists to show new commissions, and facilitates meeting points between local and international art networks. Fotogalleriet focuses on increasing access to art for society and emphasises the importance of creating a more inclusive art world. Collaboration with key community organisations contributes to the institution’s interdisciplinarity.

Fotogalleriet’s mandate, since the institution’s inception, has been to communicate artistic photography and knowledge about photography, and to create interest in photography as a free and personal form of artistic expression.

Photography is one of the most widespread artistic media today, influencing people’s lives and their representation. Photography is an important aesthetic and political tool. Fotogalleriet recognises how art and society come together through photographic expressions.

We advocate for a workplace that reflects the diversity of society and welcome applicants of different ages, disabilities, genders, sexual orientations, religions, ethnicities, and other backgrounds.

Fotogalleriet receives parts of its core operational budget from the Ministry of Culture and Equality, the Norwegian Photographic Fund, and the City of Oslo.

You are used to working in a structured way, have a high work capacity, and work well under pressure. You have an artistic vision for Fotogalleriet.

You have curatorial experience and expertise, are good at collaborating in networks, and have leadership qualities that enable those you work with to perform well and develop in their roles. You have financial flair and find securing the institution’s working and production conditions rewarding.

You want to support and develop Fotogalleriet’s strategy and contribute to our national and international networks.

Fotogalleriet aims to circumvent privileges given by education and other barriers, therefore we are open to applicants with expertise that can be demonstrated in other ways. If you have experience from other fields, are a quick learner, or think you can do the job, send us an application.

You preferably speak and write in both English and Norwegian. If you do not speak Norwegian, you must be willing to learn Norwegian. You must live in Oslo as long as you are employed in the Director position.

The position is a fixed-term, full-time four year position that can be renewed for four additional years, in agreement with the Board.
As this is a leadership position work beyond office hours must be expected, which is not eligible for overtime.
Place of work: Oslo.
The Director has overall and curatorial responsibility for the programme, and for ensuring that artists and other contributors are treated with respect and support.
Fotogalleriet shall be a sought-after and relevant partner, and the Director has overall responsibility for partner management and relationship building.
The Director has overall financial responsibility, including responsibility for securing core operational funding and project support, and has HR responsibilities.
The Director reports to a Board of five members, three of whom are artists/representatives from the art field.
Salary is placed in the state’s salary scale 67, NOK 657 300,-.

Letter of interest, maximum two A4 pages.
CV, maximum two A4 pages.
Portfolio with a visual representation of relevant/previous curatorial projects, maximum ten A4 pages.
All of the material should be sent in one PDF as an attachment of no more than 10 MB (if the material is not submitten in one PDF, the application will not be considered).

Applications should be sent to: application@fotogalleriet.no no later than 1 pm, 21 May 2024.

The email should be labelled ‘APPLICATION, DIRECTOR’. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Suitable candidates will be invited for interviews in the beginning of June 2024.

Questions about the position can be directed to Chair of the Board, Anne Szefer Karlsen, at cob@fotogalleriet.no.