Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam seeks new director
Deadline for applications: 30 April 2009
The Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam, the largest museum for modern art and design in The Netherlands, plans to reopen in March/April 2010 with a completely renovated and spectacularly enlarged building. The Stedelijk Museum is currently recruiting for the function of general artistic director.The new director will be the successor of Gijs van Tuyl, whose contract expires on 31 December 2009. Other directors in the recent past were: Willem Sandberg (1945-1963), Edy de Wilde (1963-1985), Wim Beeren (1985-1993) and Rudi Fuchs (1993-2003).
The Stedelijk Museum houses a unique collection of 90.000 objects, embracing a wide variety of disciplines: painting, sculpture, film and video art, works on paper, artists’ books, photography, applied arts and design. Outstanding names and movements are Breitner, Matisse, Malevich, Mondrian, Rietveld and De Stijl, the Bauhaus, Cobra and post-1945 American Art, with Newman, Kelly, Pollock, Stella, Warhol and, more recent, Nauman, Kiefer, Merz and Sottsass. The photographic collection is the oldest belonging to any museum of modern art in Western Europe and the collection of film and video art is similarly unique. The large and varied poster collection and the collection of modern furniture are also world-beaters.
When the Stedelijk opens its doors in 2010, the world-class collection will once again be exhibited in all its glory. The museum intends to specialise in exhibitions of great international relevance, which will serve as sources of inspiration and growth for the collection. The museum will profile itself both as a collection-based museum and an inspirational and trend-setting platform for contemporary art.
The Board of Trustees seeks a new director who demonstrates an inspirational view of the Stedelijk’s future and its international position. He/she should have a vision to unite the two characteristics of the Stedelijk, being a classic modern art museum and a platform for contemporary art. He/she has clear ideas about the social significance, position and role of a museum of modern and contemporary art for today and the future. Thorough knowledge of and an original and convincing view on artistic developments in the 20th and 21st centuries is crucial. Affinity with and knowledge of the various disciplines represented at the Stedelijk is expected. The director is to value the role of the Stedelijk as a source of information and education for a wide range of visitors, expected to number around 600,000 per year. He/she possesses the necessary experience and professionalism in artistic and commercial management to lead a museum of modern and contemporary art of international standing.
In short, the candidates are expected to meet the following requirements:
• a study of art history, specialising in 20th- and 21st-century art
• an extensive national and international network of museums, galleries, artists, collectors, curators and critics
• an excellent reputation in the national and international museum world
• proven organisational and commercial skills
• proven skills as a fundraiser
• the necessary social skills to engage the enthusiasm of people at all levels
• a team player together with the museum staff
• cooperative and communicative, both internally and externally.
Candidates may submit their applications until Thursday 30 April 2009, 9.00 a.m.
Applications should be submitted to the chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. G.A. Ribbink, via office@hansandersson.nl. It is also possible to contact The Board of Trustees to draw their attention to potential candidates
The selection interviews are planned for May/June 2009.
The Board of Trustees hopes to announce the name of the new director after the summer.
For further information about the position, candidates are invited to contact Gijs van Tuyl, director of the Stedelijk, +31 (0)20 573 26 05, g.vantuyl@stedelijk.nl
More detailed information about the Stedelijk can be requested from Marija de Haas, secretary of the Board of Trustees, +31 (0)20 573 26 73, m.dehaas@stedelijk.nl
More details on the profile, procedure and backgrounds on the Stedelijk Museum can be found at www.stedelijkindestad.nl/projects/nieuws/posts/recruitment_begins_for_a_new_director_at_the_stedelijk
The Stedelijk is funded by the city of Amsterdam
