General Director

The Rijksakademie firmly believes that art plays an essential role in an open, innovative, and diverse society. Artists challenge existing structures, pose critical questions, and create new perspectives. The institution provides them with the space and support needed to fulfill this role to the fullest.

Mission

The Rijksakademie enhances the impact and quality of contemporary art by offering artists from around the world the opportunity to further develop their work and ideas. This takes place in a stimulating, diverse, and inclusive environment where experimentation and reflection are key. The Rijksakademie serves as a catalyst for new art forms and contributes to the enrichment of the global artistic landscape.

Vision

The Rijksakademie is a leading platform for artistic innovation and interdisciplinary research. By providing artists with time and space to work freely, it seeks to contribute to the development of art that challenges and inspires society. The Rijksakademie focuses on international collaboration and knowledge exchange, positioning its residency as a place where critical dialogue and artistic transformation go hand in hand.

The Rijksakademie operates in a dynamic political and economic climate, where strategic positioning and financial stability are crucial.Key challenges include:

• Creating space for experimentation and reflection while ensuring an inspiring artistic environment.
• Enhancing the Rijksakademie’s international position and establishing the institution as a leading voice in contemporary art discourse.
• Developing sustainable financing models and finding the right balance between public and private funding.
• Strengthening trust and cohesion within the organisation.

• You are ultimately responsible for the Rijksakademie, leading its strategic direction, organisational development, and external positioning.
• You stimulate and support a strong and cohesive ecosystem within the Rijksakademie, where artists, advisors and team can work, reflect, and experiment to their fullest potential.
• You ensure an inclusive and safe working environment with room for diverse perspectives and artistic positions.
• You serve as a unifying force within the community, creating space for dialogue and fostering a culture of openness and collaboration.
• You develop and implement a sustainable funding strategy, balancing public and private revenue streams.
• You maintain and strengthen relationships with stakeholders in the arts sector, government, funding bodies, and private donors.
• You represent the Rijksakademie at national and international levels, ensuring the institution remains an influential voice in contemporary artistic landscape.
• You play a key role in enhancing cohesion and stability within the organisation, working towards building trust and support.
• You make strategic decisions and are willing to take unpopular measures when necessary, always with a focus on the long-term vision of the Rijksakademie.
• You lead the Rijksakademie in collaboration with the management team and report to the Supervisory Board.

• You have management experience and demonstrable expertise in leading complex organisations with a strong content-driven and artistic focus.
• You have an international orientation but possess in-depth knowledge of the Dutch cultural and political context.
• You have experience with both public and private funding and can effectively navigate between government funding, and donors.
• You have a proven ability to facilitate and support a community and know how to foster collaboration and trust.
• You understand how art institutions function as organic networks where collaboration, reflection, and experimentation go hand in hand.
• You have extensive experience with strategic change processes and organisational development and know how to engage professionals in an inspiring way.
• You have demonstrable experience in realising complex and multidisciplinary projects and programmes with a long-term vision.
• You have an excellent command of the Dutch and English language and a broad network within the cultural and administrative field national and international.

• You are an inspiring and approachable leader who provides direction while allowing room for dynamism within the organisation.
• You are a strategic thinker with an open and curious mindset and have a forward-thinking vision on the role of art in society.
• You understand that an institution like the Rijksakademie is not about hierarchy but about collective energy and the interplay between artists, advisors, and team.
• You have the ability to foster collaboration and trust while safeguarding artistic and institutional autonomy.
• You can navigate complexity and see change as a natural and necessary development.
• You know how to connect international and national interests and how to position the Rijksakademie as an influential player in the international art world.
• You have a natural curiosity and a broad, open perspective, allowing you to seamlessly engage with different viewpoints and stakeholders.

Working at the Rijksakademie means being part of an internationally recognised institution that fosters art, artistic potential, and innovation at the highest level. The Rijksakademie provides an inspiring, internationally oriented environment where artists have the space to reinvent their practice and develop new perspectives.

This is your opportunity to contribute to one of the most influential art institutions in the world and to collaborate with artists and professionals in addressing the artistic and societal challenges of today and tomorrow.