OPEN CALL FOR AN ARTISTIC DIRECTOR – Mad House Helsinki & Reality Research Center

Mad House Helsinki and Reality Research Center are merging to form a new organisation dedicated to performance and live art. We are looking for an Artistic Director to play a key role in shaping the new organisation’s artistic identity, programme, and position within the field of performance and live art. 

The new organization presents a year-round program consisting of stage performances, site-specific works, and other forms of performing arts. We are based at Tekstin talo (House of Text) in Helsinki, where we have our own performance venue for part of the year.

The Role

The Artistic Director is responsible for developing the new organisation’s artistic direction, programme, and identity in collaboration with the Managing Director and the rest of the team. The organisation’s team includes a production manager, a marketing and communications manager, a technical manager, Audience services staff and project employees. The role combines curating, artistic programme leadership, building relationships with artists and the wider field, and contributing to the organisation's strategic development.

The role requires the ability to articulate an ambitious and compelling artistic vision, translate it into a year-round programme, and foster dialogue with staff, artists, members, audiences, and partners. The position requires strong knowledge of the Finnish and international performance and live arts field, an understanding of production and funding structures, and the ability to work within a developing and evolving organisation.

The selected Artistic Director will contribute to shaping the organisation's programme model, working methods, and collaborative structures together with the Managing Director, the Board, and the staff.

Key Responsibility

The role includes, in particular:

• developing the organisation's artistic vision and programme

• curating the programme and developing programme selection processes and open calls 

• collaborating with artists, working groups, members, and other performance and live art professionals

• building and maintaining national and international networks

• leading programme development and coordinating artistic projects

• contributing to funding applications, operational plans, and reports 

• representing the organisation and communicating its artistic work through communications and public engagement

We are looking for someone with:

• Professional experience in the field of performance and live art 

• Experience in curating and artistic programming

• Experience working within the arts organisations

• A strong curatorial and artistic vision

• The ability to combine artistic thinking with practical leadership

• excellent communication and collaboration skills

• Experience in writing, fundraising and project development

• Excellent English language skills are required. Finnish and/or Swedish language is considered an advantage 

We offer:

• A key role in establishing a new organisation for performance and live art 

• The opportunity to shape the field of performance and live art and contribute to its future development 

• The opportunity to work in an ambitious, collaborative, and evolving  work environment

Basic Employment Information

Employment: 50% (18.5 hours/week)
Duration: 2 years (+2-year option)
Start Date: November30 , 2026, or as agreed.
Salary: 1,600 €/month
Work location: Tekstin talo, Helsinki, Lintulahdenkatu 3

How to apply

Application deadline:
Please send your application by September 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m . to katja@todellisuus.fi.

Attach the following to your application as a single PDF file:

• Resume

• portfolio or description of your previous work

• A cover letter (maximum 1 A4 page) describing:

  • your vision for the organisation's programme 

  • your vision for the organisation's role

  • how would you improve its activities

• contact details of 1–3 referees

Note!
You may apply for this position only as an individual; applications from pairs or workgroups will not be considered.

Recruitment Process

The recruitment process consists of two rounds of interviews. Based on the applications, selected candidates will be invited to the first-round interviews. Following the first round of interviews, shortlisted candidates will be invited to the second-round interviews. The final selection will be made by the recruitment team and the board in October.

The interviews will take place during weeks 38–39 in September.

The recruitment team is responsible for reviewing applications and conducting interview process. It consists of:

• Katja Kirsi, Managing Director

• Marianne Savallampi, Production Manager

• Anne Naukkarinen, Communications and Marketing Manager

• Emmi Vainio, Chair of the Board of Mad House Helsinki

• Alina Sakko, Chair of the Board of the Reality Research Center

• Even Minn, Dramaturg & Advisor

Enquiries

Katja Kirsi
0400 641 989

Phone Hours:
August 14, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
August 21, 1:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
August 28, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Equality
We are committed to building a diverse and equitable workplace and encourage applications from people of all backrounds. 

Read more Mad House in Helsinki.
Read more About the Reality Research Center.