JenaKultur's Operations Manager Takes Over as Administrative Director of the German Museum of Optics

Carsten Müller, Head of Central Management at JenaKultur, will assume the role of Administrative Director of the German Optical Museum (D.O.M.) for a two-year term beginning November 1, 2026. Together with Founding and Scientific Director Prof. Dr. Timo Mappes, he will shape the next phase of the structural, organizational, and institutional development of this flagship project.

The D.O.M.’s innovative exhibition concept extends beyond the museum building into the urban space. As Founding and Scientific Director, Prof. Dr. Timo Mappes has shaped and overseen the scientific and curatorial concept and its creative implementation within the overall project since its inception. This continuity of vision will be maintained under the expanded leadership structure.

With the newly created Administrative Director position, the leadership team is also being supplemented with additional expertise to meet the growing organizational and financial demands of the next project phase. Carsten Müller will assume responsibility in particular for finance, organizational development, human resources, grants, commercial construction and project management, as well as the D.O.M.’s positioning in the tourism sector. Both areas of management are to work closely together, thereby laying the groundwork for the successful continued development of the D.O.M. leading up to its opening.

Mayor Dr. Thomas Nitzsche:

“I am very grateful that Carsten Müller is willing to take on additional responsibility for this outstanding project for the future. With him, one of Thuringia’s most distinguished cultural and tourism managers will work alongside the founding director, Prof. Dr. Timo Mappes, to guide the D.O.M. through its crucial development phase. At the same time, his strategic expertise will continue to benefit JenaKultur and the tourism development of our city.”

Christian Gerlitz, Chair of the D.O.M. Board of Trustees

“With the establishment of the Administrative Directorate, we are expanding the museum’s leadership as planned and creating clear lines of responsibility for financial and organizational management leading up to the opening, as well as for the D.O.M.’s positioning in the tourism sector. The Board of Trustees of the German Optical Museum wholeheartedly welcomes this personnel decision.”

Founding and Scientific Director Prof. Dr.-Ing. Timo Mappes:

“I look forward to continuing to work with Carsten Müller as a new partner on the D.O.M.’s leadership team. This creates excellent conditions for bringing the D.O.M.’s holistic exhibition concept and scholarly development to the best possible outcome through a broader approach to the museum’s implementation and positioning.”

During his tenure at the D.O.M., the Director of JenaKultur will step back from the day-to-day operations of the municipal enterprise but will remain an integral part of the management team and continue to play a key role in strategic matters concerning JenaKultur’s corporate development as well as the development of Jena as a tourist destination. During this time, operational management responsibilities will be handled within the existing JenaKultur management structure by Co-Director Friedrun Vollmer and Deputy Director and Chief Financial Officer Jana Gründig. At the same time, Yvonne Abraham, the long-time Head of Human Resources and Organization, is to be appointed Deputy Director and will assume expanded responsibility for human resources and organizational matters.

Johannes Schleussner, Head of the Department of Culture and Education:

“The German Optical Museum will be a key component in further establishing Jena’s profile as a city of culture, education, and science. The fact that Carsten Müller and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Timo Mappes will jointly contribute their experience and expertise to the development of the German Optical Museum while ensuring continuity in the management of JenaKultur is a good solution for both institutions and for Jena as a whole.”

Carsten Müller, Director of JenaKultur:

“I look forward to the opportunity to help shape the development of the German Optical Museum together with Prof. Dr. Timo Mappes during this important founding phase, while at the same time responsibly guiding the strategic development of JenaKultur and tourism in Jena during these challenging budgetary times.”

The position of Administrative Director of the D.O.M. is initially set for two years, until the planned opening at the end of 2028.

v.l.n.r. im Bild zu sehen: Christian Gerlitz (Vorsitzender des Kuratoriums des D.O.M.(, Carsten Müller (JenaKultur), Prof. Dr. Timo Mappes (D.O.M.), Oberbürgermeister Dr. Thomas Nitzsche, Dezernent Johannes Schleussner

© Deutsches Optisches Museum