Amstelveen 1181 ZX
The Netherlands
Museum Cobra is pleased to announce the appointment of Suzanne Wallinga as its new General Director, effective October 1, 2024. Together with Financial Director Cor Dinkgreve, Wallinga will form the museum’s new leadership team, ushering in a fresh era for the institution. Her forward-thinking vision and approach will further strengthen the museum’s unwavering commitment to modern and contemporary art.
About Suzanne Wallinga
Suzanne Wallinga is a curator and strategic advisor with a long-standing dedication to the arts. As co-founder and former director of A Tale of a Tub in Rotterdam, she commissioned works by artists such as Shezad Dawood, Ruth Buchanan, and Igshaan Adams, with a focus on exploring art's response to social, political, and ecological issues. Wallinga served as an advisor to institutions including Sonsbeek, Stroom The Hague, and De Brakke Grond, the Flemish Arts Centre in Amsterdam. Previously, she held board positions at Stedelijk Museum Schiedam and Shimmer in Rotterdam. In addition, Wallinga has held key roles such as interim director of Amsterdam Art and artistic director of TAG in The Hague, curating for institutions including the Kröller-Müller Museum and Frans Hals Museum. Her practice explores the intersections of art, philosophy, and community engagement, often extending into performances, publications, and public programs.
About Museum Cobra
Founded in 1995, Museum Cobra in Amstelveen is dedicated to the art and legacy of the avant-garde Cobra movement, which flourished in Europe from 1948 to 1951. The museum houses a significant collection of works by Cobra artists such as Karel Appel, Constant, and Sonja Ferlov Mancoba while also exploring connections between the movement’s radical spirit and contemporary art practices. Museum Cobra continues to serve as a dynamic space for exhibitions, education, and cultural exchange, with a mission to engage diverse audiences in dialogue around modern and contemporary art.
Vision for Museum Cobra
With Suzanne Wallinga’s arrival, Museum Cobra gains a leader with a rich background in artistic direction and institutional strategy, alongside a strong commitment to making art accessible to diverse audiences. Wallinga’s expertise in curating socially driven exhibitions aligns with the museum’s mission to engage with both local and global contemporary artistic developments through the lens of the Cobra movement.
"The Supervisory Board is thrilled to welcome Suzanne Wallinga as General Director. Her original perspective on modern and contemporary art, combined with her entrepreneurial spirit, will bring new energy to Museum Cobra," says Jerry Straub, Chairman of the Supervisory Board.
Suzanne Wallinga on her new role: "I am excited to join Museum Cobra and work alongside the talented team here. This is an important moment to further develop the museum’s role as a space for inspiration, exchange, and connection. Art has the power to foster dialogue and deepen our understanding of the world around us—which is especially relevant today. I look forward to collaborating with artists, partners, and the broader community to build on the museum’s legacy, strengths and future potential," says Suzanne Wallinga.
