Job Opening at BKJ Cultural Children’s and Youth Education, Berlin

The Bundesvereinigung Kulturelle Kinder- und Jugendbildung (BKJ), the central umbrella organization for cultural education in Germany, is seeking a Referent*in for German-Polish Youth Cultural Exchange for its Berlin location. The application deadline for this position is May 3, 2026.

The BKJ serves as a national network that unites over 55 professional organizations and state umbrella associations. These members operate across various artistic fields, including music, theater, dance, literature, visual arts, and media, with the shared goal of promoting arts education and cultural learning for children and youth both inside and outside of school settings.

Organizational Scope and Mission

Established in 1963, the BKJ advocates for the strengthening of cultural infrastructure and the establishment of cultural education as a critical component of social participation and personal development. The organization promotes democratic values, diversity, and respect while opposing discrimination and exclusion.

The federation operates through three offices located in Berlin and Remscheid. With a staff of 35 members and an annual budget of approximately 800,000 Euros, the BKJ is primarily financed by resources from the German Youth Ministry.

The organization’s activities are designed to reach a broad demographic, with more than ten million young people participating annually in events, competitions, projects, and seminars organized by BKJ member organizations. These initiatives span a wide array of cultural disciplines, including photography, film, video, multimedia, circus, and drama.

Key Programs and Services

The BKJ manages several specialized programs aimed at the dissemination of cultural education. These include the MIXED UP competition, which recognizes innovative educational projects, as well as international professional and youth exchanges.

the organization provides consulting and training for professionals and manages volunteer services within the sectors of culture and education. Its work also focuses on the development of educational landscapes and the integration of cultural developments within schools.

Current Employment Opportunities

In addition to the German-Polish Youth Cultural Exchange role in Berlin, the BKJ and its network partners have listed several other vacancies across Germany. Current openings include:

• Referent*in for Children’s Rights in Berlin, with a deadline of April 20, 2026.
• Project Lead for the Forschung und Praxis im Dialog – Internationale Jugendarbeit (FPD) network in Köln, with a deadline of April 15, 2026.
• Staff member at S27 – Kunst und Bildung in Berlin, with a deadline of May 3, 2026.
• Referent*in for Finance and Controlling at the Kronberg Academy Stiftung in Kronberg im Taunus, with a deadline of May 17, 2026.
• Music mediator at the Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen in Bremen, with a deadline of May 15, 2026.
• Educational referent for the SCHULE:KULTUR! program at LKJ Niedersachsen e. V. In Hannover, with a deadline of April 19, 2026.
• Referent*in at the Anne Frank Zentrum in Berlin, with a deadline of April 10, 2026.
• Head of the Department for School, Culture, and Sport in Neubrandenburg, with a deadline of April 30, 2026.
• Scientific employee for Cultural Education at the Kunstpalast and NRW-Forum in Düsseldorf, with a deadline of April 12, 2026.
• Educational referent at LAG Arbeit Bildung Kultur NRW e. V. In Bochum, with a deadline of April 30, 2026.
• Social Media Referent*in at LKJ Niedersachsen e. V. In Hannover, with a deadline of April 26, 2026.

The BKJ continues to facilitate roles that involve organizing and following up on events, researching technical topics, and ensuring that cultural education maintains a significant presence within municipal educational landscapes.