looking for a new Director
Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam
The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam is looking for a new Director
To aid in our search, we would appreciate if you could inform us of individuals who you believe are strong candidates for this position, based on the requirements below. The candidate may be contacted by the Selection Committee.
1. Position of the Museum
In 2003, the “Committee Future Stedelijk Museum” (which was invited to present its vision for the Stedelijk Museum by the municipal authorities of the City of Amsterdam) wrote, “The collection of the Stedelijk Museum is generally considered to be a top collection with an international reputation”. The Stedelijk collection consists of important works of modern art and design. The artistic staff has the ambition to achieve a more prominent position for the museum locally, nationally and internationally through the development of a challenging and exciting exhibition programme, the production of high-quality publications and the establishment of an active outreach toward the viewing public.
2. The current state of affairs
A number of important steps have been taken in order to better prepare the Stedelijk for the future. These include:
establishing a temporary exhibition space, Stedelijk Museum CS (SMCS),
installing a Supervisory Board for the museum,
raising the necessary funds for the renovation and expansion of the museum,
privatisation of the museum on 1 January 2005,
improvement of the registration and maintenance procedures of the collection.
The new director will be responsible for leading these transitional processes.
3. Profile of Candidate general
-He/she has the ability to manage the museum in a complicated transitional phase, and is able to not only ensure the museum’s organisational and financial solvency, but mainly to re-infuse artistic vitality and relevance into the institution,
-Combines artistic inspiration, knowledge and authority with proven leadership skills, based on engagement with art, artists and museum staff,
-His/her enthusiasm is contagious,
-Shows initiative and has the analytical power and social intelligence to function effectively and comfortably in a complex professional environment,
-Has an international reputation and an international network of contacts,
-Is a strong communicator and has a natural tendency towards cooperation and collaboration,
-Deals easily and naturally with the political, cultural, economic and public relations of the museum and has concrete strategies for successfully seeking fundraising and sponsoring partnerships, based on practical experience,
-Is a persistent, persuasive and effective negotiator.
vision/knowledge
-He/she has knowledge of the history of modern and contemporary art on an academic level and is well acquainted with the most recent developments,
-Knows how to translate this knowledge into a vision for the museum covering diverse aspects of the institution, including exhibition programming, acquisitions policies, collection management, educational activities, the development of the museum as a ‘knowledge centre’ and the international position of the Stedelijk Museum.
experience
-He/she is an experienced manager with experience in an organisation similar to the Stedelijk Museum,
-Is acquainted with museum practices, which include managing a sizeable collection,
-Has been – directly or indirectly – responsible for a number of significant exhibitions,
-Is able to relate his/her interest in contemporary art and artists both to the historical trajectory of the existing collection and to future developments in visual art.
4. Procedure
The selection committee consists of three members of the Supervisory Board and three members of the museum staff. This committee is supported by three internationally acclaimed external advisors from the field of visual arts. The director ad interim is a non voting member at the meetings of the selection committee and is responsible for maintaining strict confidentiality. Suggestions for candidates can be sent to Maitland Search and Advice Agency: attn. Mrs. P. Maitland
e-mail: info@maitland.be
or :
Malakkastraat 127
2585 SL The Hague
The Netherlands
These suggestions will be forwarded to the selection committee. The committee will make an initial selection of qualified candidates and begin the interview process as soon as possible.
5. Appointment
Until the privatisation the new director will be employed by the City of Amsterdam on a temporary basis. After that, he or she will be employed by the new Stedelijk Museum Foundation. The director will be appointed for a five year term, which can be extended. The museum offers an adequate salary, related to the responsibilities of the position.