Shoonya is inviting applications for a Director

Application Deadline: April 30, 2026

We are happy to invite applications for the position of Director for Shoonya.

Shoonya is a non-profit, multi-arts centre in the heart of Bangalore on Lalbagh Road. A light-filled space surrounded by beautiful palm trees, Shoonya is envisioned to be a platform for art and somatic practices.

Shoonya seeks to be Bengaluru’ s creative sanctuary and community hub, dedicated to explorations that enrich the evolving understanding of our contemporary urban lives. We seek to curate and offer an open, safe and welcoming space that facilitates arts explorations, somatic journeys, and citizen quests, in collaboration with like-spirited artists, knowledge partners, and civil society.

The Director is responsible for leading this organisation, in close collaboration with the Founder.

Job Responsibilities:

As Director of Shoonya, your key responsibilities are:

  • Work together with the Founder and Advisors to further the organisationʼ s vision and long term goals
  • Create a roadmap for achieving the strategic priorities of the organisation
  • Create programmes that support and facilitate arts explorations, somatic journeys, and citizen quests
  • Identify and invite curators to bring a diversity of work to the Shoonya space, centring people and practices who do not easily get access
  • Lead the Shoonya team to run the daily life of the space, including programme management, space and technical maintenance
  • Lead communication and outreach plans for Shoonya, to draw artists, citizens and audiences to the space
  • Build, implement and review annual operating plans for the organisation correlating to operating budgets ensuring robust financial management
  • Contribute to resource mobilisation led by the Founder
  • Oversee systems, implement policies, processes and various statutory as well as best practices compliances of the organisation
  • Build strategic relationships, partnerships and alliances with like-spirited and diverse people, collectives and organisations

Person Specification:

You are the ideal candidate if you are

  • Passionate about facilitating the work and potential of others
  • Curious about a diversity of artistic practice
  • Committed to the city and the role arts can play in the lives of citizens
  • Aware of complex social and political dynamics
  • Resilient enough to create a meaningful space for the arts

The qualifications, experience, skills, and knowledge required are:

  • About 7 years of experience in arts and culture with 3 to 4 years of curating / programming experience and leading teams
  • Conversant with current practices, initiatives, debates and concerns in the arts and culture within the country and in the international arena
  • Deep connection to the city of Bangalore and engagement with some of its diverse communities, constituencies and stakeholders
  • Proven ability to build and lead teams
  • Understanding and grasp over financial planning and management, including resource mobilisation
  • Clear writing, speaking and public communication abilities in English and at least one other Indian language, preferably Kannada
  • Excellent networking skills and ability to represent the organisation at different forums

Reporting Structure: This role will report to the Founder

Remuneration: Rs 10-12 lakhs per annum, commensurate with experience

Location: Bangalore.

Term: 4 years, full-time, on-site, on a contractual basis with a probation period of six months.

Applications Guidelines

Applications should include:

  • Covering letter, clearly stating interest in the role and why the candidate is most suitable for it (within 500 words)
  • Résumé, detailing previous experience
  • Two professional reference letters

An application received without the above mentioned attachments will not be considered.

Send your applications by email to hr@shoonyaspace.com with the subject line: Application for Director.

There will be multiple levels of interviews, both virtual and physical, in May 2026. The selected candidate will be expected to join in early July 2026.

The deadline for applications is April 30, 2026.