Member Supervisory Board

Vacancy

The Rijksakademie has a vacancy for the position of member of the Supervisory Board.

Introduction and Reading Guide

This recruitment profile has been developed based on conversations with a diverse range of individuals and roles within and outside the Rijksakademie. The insights from these discussions have been incorporated into this profile. The following sections are covered in this document:

  • Selection procedure
  • Organisation
  • Profile

Selection Procedure

The Rijksakademie is assisted in this process by Gouden Gasten Recruitment & Executive Search for Art, Culture, and Education.

For more information, please contact Albert Goldsteen,
tel. +31 6 81 80 42 20 | albert@goudengasten.com

Upload your cover letter and CV (preferably in one document) as soon as possible (no later than Friday 4 April) via the application button on the website of Gouden Gasten.

Recruitment Procedure

  • Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 April: introductory meetings with the Gouden Gasten selection team.
  • Week 17: first round with the Rijksakademie selection committee
  • Week 20: second round with the Rijksakademie selection committee

ORGANISATION


The Rijksakademie offers a two-year residency programme to approximately fifty artists from around the world. The programme supports artistic development through providing space for research, experimentation, and the production of new work. Residents are provided with a studio, a working budget, and a stipend, and work in a dynamic environment with advanced technical workshops, a range of artistic advisors who are professionals in the field, and an interdisciplinary community. Within this international and diverse ecosystem, artists have the freedom to work and experiment without a fixed curriculum.

The Rijksakademie distinguishes itself as a platform for artistic innovation and reflection. It plays a crucial role in the cultural ecosystem, offering artists the opportunity to develop and connect with an international network. Alumni are represented in leading museums, biennials, and artistic initiatives worldwide.

Founded in 1870, the Rijksakademie has evolved into an internationally renowned residency. Initially functioning as a classical academy, it trained artists such as Piet Mondriaan, Karel Appel, and Constant. In the 1980s, its direction shifted, transforming into an artistic laboratory where studios, technical research, and critical dialogue with advisors became central.

  • 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.

Profile


The Supervisory Board consists of 4 members, with the chairmanship co-chaired between two members. The Supervisory Board monitors the policies and operations of the Rijksakademie while providing strategic counsel to the management. It safeguards the institution’s mission, values, and financial stability while contributing to a sustainable long-term vision. The board meets multiple times a year and also participates in informal gatherings and committee responsibilities.

Members of the Supervisory Board are actively engaged, have a strong affinity with the arts sector, and possess governance experience. The board is composed of seasoned professionals with a proven track record, a deep passion for art and culture, and expertise in governance and strategy. They ensure independent and critical oversight while serving as a sounding board for the management.

The chair and members of the Supervisory Board do not receive financial compensation for their role.

  • We are looking for a supervisory board member who:

    • Has experience with governance and strategic issues within the cultural sector.
    • Understands the political and administrative dynamics surrounding art and culture in the Netherlands.
    • Possesses in-depth knowledge of the contemporary art world.
    • Is able to think independently and critically about the direction of the Rijksakademie.
    • Is a connecting and analytical thinker, with an eye for governance and organisational development.
    • Experience within the contemporary art sector and cultural institutions.
    • A broad and relevant network within the art world and/or the public sector.
    • Knowledge of governance processes, organisational oversight, and strategic decision-making.
    • Political-administrative sensitivity and insight into the financing and policies of cultural organisations.
    • Experience with complex organisations and the ability to provide oversight from a distance.
    • A deep understanding of the Dutch cultural context.
    • Independent, critical, and reflective in the supervisory role.
    • Sensitive to the balance between strategic distance and involvement.
    • Strong communication skills and the ability to connect and advise.
    • Awareness of diversity and inclusion within the arts and culture sector.
    • Affinity with the mission and values of the Rijksakademie.
    • Capable of making a substantive contribution to the long-term strategy of the Rijksakademie.

  • At the Rijksakademie, as a member of the Supervisory Board, you have the opportunity to be part of an internationally recognised institution that fosters art, talent, and innovation at the highest level. This is a place that transforms lives and where new visual languages emerge. The Rijksakademie offers an inspiring, internationally oriented environment where artists are given the space to reinvent their practice and develop new perspectives.

Interested?

The Rijksakademie endorses the Code of Diversity and Inclusion. We believe it is important to have a diverse workforce and to create an inclusive working environment. In this selection process, the Rijksakademie will give preference, in case of equal suitability, to a candidate who enhances diversity within the board and the organisation.

The Rijksakademie is assisted in this process by Gouden Gasten Recruitment & Executive Search for Art, Culture, and Education. Interested candidates can express their interest via the application button on the website of Gouden Gasten or by sending an up-to-date CV to kandidaten@goudengasten.com.

For further information, you can also contact Albert Goldsteen at +31 6 81 80 42 20 or via email at albert@goudengasten.com.

The deadline for applications is Friday 4 April 2025.

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