Senior curator/exhibition-maker for modern and contemporary design

Design Museum Den Bosch sets out to highlight the cultural significance of design in the past, present and future. Since changing its name and direction in 2018, the former Stedelijk Museum ’s-Hertogenbosch has grown substantially, as reflected in an ambitious programme of exhibitions, national and international collaborations and rising visitor numbers. In the years ahead, Design Museum Den Bosch aims to consolidate its position regionally, in the Netherlands and abroad. Part of this involves organizing themed design exhibitions with a strong element of original research. We manage an important design collection and measure ourselves against international design museums. To give further shape to our ambitions, Design Museum Den Bosch is looking for a

 

Senior curator/exhibition-maker for modern and contemporary design (32–36 hours per week)

 

As curator, you will contribute to the museum’s ambitions and will take responsibility for conceiving and implementing exhibitions, including project organization and finance. You will maintain and manage a relevant, international network of contacts and partners. Your distinctive exhibitions will contribute to the museum’s profile and objectives. To manage and develop the collection, you will bring a thorough knowledge and vision of recent and contemporary design and an interest in the ‘posthuman’ theme which, taking our modern jewellery cluster as its starting point, explores the boundaries of the human body.

 

Key qualities:

• You are analytically minded and have strong and active links to the contemporary world, both culturally and more widely;
• You focus on results and can take responsibility for your and other exhibitions in terms of content, finances and process;
• You have ideas about how a distinctive exhibition programme can help the museum position itself strongly towards visitors, partners and funding sources;
• You possess social skills and can act as sparring partner for the other curators and colleagues in areas like public affairs, education and marketing.

Job content:

• Delivering and implementing proposals for presentations and exhibitions;
• Jointly deciding on acquisitions for the collection and loans for exhibitions;
• Acting as project leader for exhibitions and national/international co-productions;
• Delivering public-oriented and research-driven texts for publications in the field of design and design history, for exhibitions and social media, and for the ‘Third Floor’ online platform;
• Taking part as the museum’s representative in presentations, expert meetings and interviews, both online and physical;
• Tracking and evaluating developments in the design field and in the museum world and making active use of this knowledge, especially within the ‘posthuman’ exhibition and collection space;
• Building and maintaining a relevant national and international network;
• Keeping abreast of current cultural and social developments.

We’re looking for:

• A degree in art history, cultural studies, material culture or similar subject, with a demonstrable knowledge of design;
• At least five years relevant and professional work experience;
• Experience of project-based work and understanding of the importance of intensive cooperation between different disciplines inside and outside the museum;
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in Dutch and English;
• Affinity with the dynamics of the digital world.

 

We offer a varied position with a high degree of autonomy in a compact and ambitious organization. You will have the opportunity to make your mark on the museum’s programming and positioning, in particular by developing impressive presentations with a regional, national and international appeal.

The position falls under Scale 11 of the Collective Employment Agreement for Museums (€ 3,439–4,622 p.m. based on a 36-hour week). Other benefits include: an 8% holiday allowance, a year-end bonus and certain travel expenses. The position is for an indefinite period, with an initial employment contract of one year.

For more information about the job, please contact Timo de Rijk, Museum Director (073-6273699). E-mail your application (supporting letter and CV) to Oscar Jansen, Head of Operations at ojansen@designmuseum.nl.

 

The first interviews will be held on 10 March 2022, followed by a possible second round on 22 March.

 

Principals only. No recruiters please.