Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen

With a world-class collection that spans many centuries and disciplines, Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen is an important player in an international network of leading museums. Working with such a multifaceted collection in Rotterdam – a city whose 660,000 inhabitants speak 175 languages and which has historically been home to many significant collectors – creates dynamism and generates new ideas and connections. Since 2021, Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen has made the museum’s collection fully accessible to the public and allows visitors to see how an art museum manages, restores and maintains its public collection. Our innovative strength as a knowledge institute is reflected in our successful series of scholarly publications, Boijmans Studies, and our exhibitions and educational projects, which have continued while the museum is closed for renovation and modernisation. During this transitional period, we are focusing on improving our methodology and our public reach. Interaction with visitors, collectors, the media and colleagues is an important aspect of working at Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, where art is celebrated and centre stage is given to artists and designers and the context in which they live and work. To strengthen our curatorial team, we are recruiting a Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art (32 hours per week).

You have a degree in art history and at least five years’ experience as a curator in a museum. You have a track record of publishing your research and are an excellent communicator. You have an inventive approach to research into and presentation of the collection. You will advise on purchases, loans and restorations, conduct scholarly research and publish your findings, conceive and realise exhibitions and events, and deepen and generate knowledge that gives meaning to the collection. You have a broad understanding of and insight into the various disciplines that make up the collection and have an open mind. You will contribute to the programme of Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen and Zuid. Boijmans Van Beuningen. You will maintain contacts with artists and private collectors and have a commitment to public accessibility. You are socially engaged and recognise the museum’s role as a vehicle for culture and as a catalyst for innovation.

• Developing research presentations in Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen
• Developing editions of Le Miroir Vivant, https://www.boijmans.nl/tentoonstellingen/le-miroir-vivant-neo-muyanga
• Contributing to collections displays and the first exhibitions following the reopening of the museum
• Contributing to the programme at Zuid. Boijmans
• Contributing to developing travelling exhibitions in the Netherlands and abroad
• Carrying out scholarly research and writing for exhibitions and digital and printed publications
• Together with your fellow Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art, advising on purchases, restorations, loans and publications
• Working for existing and new audiences, and working with lenders, private collectors and artists
• Developing new strategies and partnerships with other art museums in the Netherlands and abroad

• You are a generalist with a focus on international contemporary art
• You have a demonstrable international network
• You are energetic, goal-oriented and have high professional standards
• You have extensive experience (minimum of five years) in a similar role
• You are an open-minded team player and are well informed about international developments in contemporary art and in society in general
• You have published in relevant periodicals/journals and catalogues and enjoy public speaking
• You have experience with digital collections database software (preferably TMS) and with project-based work
• You speak excellent Dutch and English. Good spoken and written knowledge of other languages is a plus
• Living in Rotterdam would be appreciated

A challenging position within a dynamic museum that is undergoing architectural and organisational renewal in the coming years. The salary is in line with the museums’ collective bargaining agreement: min €4170 max €5768.

Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen recognises the importance and necessity of diversity in within its organisation and strives for a balanced workforce, in accordance with the Diversity and Inclusion Code.

Please submit your application to Conservator Moderne en Hedendaagse Kunst – Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen

The deadline for applications is 7 January 2024.

The first interviews will take place on Thursday 18 and Friday 19 January.

For more information about the post, please contact Ina Klaassen, Director at klaassen@boijmans.nl and/or Sandra Kisters, Director of Collections & Research at kisters@boijmans.nl.

We will not respond to unsolicited services or offers from recruitment agencies or intermediaries.