We are looking for an artistic director with an active and prominent artistic practice who:
Are you Turteatern’s new Artistic Director?
On 31 December 2026, our current Artistic Director, Marie Nikzam Bakken, will conclude her tenure. The search for a successor to one of Sweden’s most progressive stages has now begun.
Since 1970, Turteatern has offered theatre in Stockholm and across Sweden defined by courage, audacity, and individuality. We are now looking for an Artistic Director – or alternatively a duo or group – who wants to carry this legacy forward. We are seeking someone with a strong artistic drive, a clear aesthetic, and a well-developed practice, who is unafraid to challenge conventional Swedish theatre, its norms, and what is considered “good taste.” You or your group should be ready to take up the theatre’s shimmering and shameless mantle into the future – and to get things wrong in all the right ways.
Artistic Director at Turteatern
The Artistic Director reports, together with the Managing Director, to the board of Turteatern.
The purpose of the role is, in collaboration with the Managing Director, to be responsible for Turteatern’s vision, strategic development, and the operational running of the organisation’s administrative and structural work.
The role includes leading artistic processes, programming guest performances, directing in-house productions and, together with the rest of the staff, making decisions regarding the artistic direction and safeguarding the theatre’s artistic spirit. Leadership responsibilities also include fundraising, ongoing financial management, production management, personnel matters and working environment, as well as developing collaborations and networks within the independent performing arts field and with institutions.
Basic information about the position:
- Employment type: Fixed-term contract
- Working hours: Full-time
- Start date: 1 January 2027 or by agreement
- Location: Stockholm
Qualifications:
- Demonstrates sound leadership, with the ability to work in a responsive, clear and collaborative way.
- Has a visionary approach to Turteatern’s artistic and organisational direction.
- Ideally holds a degree from one of the country’s art academies, or has equivalent professional experience.
- Experience with grant applications, budgeting and running an independent performing arts group is highly desirable.
Framework of the role:
- Length of mandate: 4 years
- Number of staff: 3 permanent full-time positions in addition to the Artistic Director, and 2 part-time positions. As well as around 25–30 project-based or hourly employees per year.
- Annual production volume: 1–2 in-house productions and approximately 5–8 guest performances per year.
Application information:
- Applications should be sent to jobb@turteatern.se
- Please attach documents as PDF:s. Links to Google Docs or texts written directly in the email will not be accepted.
- CV: Maximum 1 page. Name the file according to the format: CVFirstNameLastNameTUR.KL
- Cover letter: Maximum 1 page. Name the file according to the format: PBFirstNameLastNameTUR.KL
- Artistic vision: Maximum 1 page. Name the file according to the format: KVFirstNameLastNameTUR.KL
- Work samples: Up to 5 references to previous work. Submit as project descriptions in a PDF or links collected in a PDF. Name the file according to the format: APFirstNameLastNameTUR.KL
Process and timeline:
- Application deadline: 13 April
- Interviews will take place in May–June 2026
- The recruitment group consists of representatives from the board and the organisation’s permanent staff.
- A decision will be made during summer 2026.
Terms and conditions:
- Salary according to Turteatern’s established pay scales.
- Collective agreement between the Swedish Performing Arts Association (Svensk Scenkonst) and the trade union Scen & Film regarding employees within the professional independent performing arts sector.
Other information:
Turteatern’s activities are grounded in values that emphasise artistic freedom and integrity. As a workplace we strive for professionalism, equality and a clear stance against all forms of discrimination.
For more information about the position, please contact:
Siri Nyke, Managing Director, siri@turteatern.se
Linda Sandberg, Chair of the Board, linda.sandberg@riksteatern.se
Teatern Utan Reaktionärer works to produce experimental, boundary-pushing, and politically engaged theatre for children, young people, and adults. We aim to be a theatre without conventional limits, blending high and low culture, guided by our strongest principles: joy, courage, and affectionate irreverence. Turteatern is based in Kärrtorp, south of Stockholm. We have a large stage, a small stage, and a foyer stage. In addition to our own productions, we host national and international guest performances and offer our premises for residencies. Turteatern’s permanent staff consists of a Managing Director, Artistic Director, Communications Manager, Technical Coordinator, and Technician.
Turteatern has staged productions including Utvandrarna 1.0, Och helvetet är bara en bastu, Hundratals barn i vild kamp, the comic theatre Nibelungens Ring 2.0, Det sista Eposet, Äldreomsorgen i övre Kågedalen, and Den svenska apans hundra röda drömmar.