Curator Buro Stedelijk

Contemporary And; Amsterdam; Hybrid; EUR 46,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Stedelijk Museum is seeking a curator to lead Buro Stedelijk, an autonomous project space within the Museum, with a 32-hour work week and a fixed-term initial period. The role reports to the director and collaborates with a project manager and an advisory board to shape programming.

The successful candidate will develop exhibitions, debates and activities, maintain awareness of current practices, and engage with artists and designers in Amsterdam and beyond.

Qualifications

• Strong curatorial experience and a clear artistic vision.
• Ability to develop exhibitions, debates and lectures.
• Experience collaborating with artists and institutions.
• Fluent English; knowledge of a second language is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop concepts for exhibitions, debates, symposia, lectures and activities and implement programming.
• Keep abreast of contemporary art practices and opportunities for Buro Stedelijk.
• Conceive and initiate collaborative concepts for Buro Stedelijk and partners.
• Position Buro Stedelijk as an autonomous body within the Stedelijk.

Skills

Curatorial skills

Networking

Education

Art history knowledge (preferred)

Job description

In 2023, the Stedelijk Museum opened Buro Stedelijk, a new, independent project space. Buro Stedelijk is a platform for testing new creative ideas and futures, shaped by makers from Amsterdam and beyond. Conceived as a fully autonomous space, Buro Stedelijk functions as a critical and self-critical thorn in the eye of the acclaimed Stedelijk Museum.

Beginning in December 2022, founding curators Azu Nwagbogu and Rita Ouédraogo worked in close collaboration to define Buro Stedelijk’s programming and vision. Under Rita Ouédraogo’s leadership, since December 2023, Buro Stedelijk has grown into a vibrant, forward-thinking platform for contemporary art, culture, and design. Given that the appointment is for a fixed period of 3 years, we are currently seeking a new curator to begin in 2026.

The Stedelijk Museum is looking for a:

Buro Stedelijk’s artistic direction is entirely independent of the museum’s thematic focus and programming. Buro Stedelijk functions largely autonomously and can respond more swiftly to topical issues. At the same time, Buro Stedelijk operates within the museum walls.

Housed on the ground floor of the historic building, Buro Stedelijk has access to two spaces. The Central Space—a square exhibition location with a surface area of over 200 m2—and the Studio Space, which is situated directly next to the museum’s former entrance on Paulus Potterstraat and can be used either as an office or a project space. During special evening openings and events, Buro Stedelijk will be accessible through the Paulus Potterstraat entrance.

The successful candidate will report to the director and will work closely with a Buro Stedelijk project manager. An advisory board acts as a sounding board and plays a key role in recruiting the new curator.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Developing concepts for exhibitions, debates, symposia, lectures and other activities and, working closely with the project leader, implementing the programming
• Keeping abreast of practices, activities and developments in the field of contemporary art and being alert to ways in which Buro Stedelijk can benefit from these opportunities
• Conceiving and initiating collaborative concepts for the benefit of Buro Stedelijk, and of the collaborative partners and artists involved.
• Positioning Buro Stedelijk as an autonomous body within the Stedelijk

Profile:

Stedelijk is looking for a curator with a strong position in the cultural field, a vision responsive to experiment and innovation, a distinctive working style and close ties with artists and designers in Amsterdam, the Netherlands and beyond.

Knowledge of art history is not the most important criterion. Ideally, the curator possesses a dynamic, focused vision and has organized relevant projects in the past three years. A second language besides English and an educational background or relevant professional experience or research outside Western Europe and North America are a plus.

Alumni of leading curatorial programs (national and international) are invited to apply. Applications from curators outside of the established ranks are also welcomed.

Buro Stedelijk is guided by the principles of inclusion and broadening and actively explores ways of engaging with new and diverse publics. The curator is selected on the basis of a pluralistic vision of the program and their commitment to addressing socially engaged themes. The contrasting positions of the curator and the participating artists will strengthen the multivocality of the organization as a whole.

The Position:

The curator is initially appointed for a period of 1.5 years with the possibility of an extension for another 1.5 years.

The curator is selected by an advisory board consisting of representatives of De Ateliers, the Rijksakademie, the Stedelijk Museum, and an independent member, in consultation with the director of the Stedelijk Museum.

An employment contract for 32 hours a week will be offered.

Depending on educational background and experience, the salary is between € 4,131 and € 5,516 per month for a full-time (36-hour) contract of employment (scale 11 Museum CAO), excluding holiday allowance and year-end bonus.

Information:

For more information about this position, please contact Director Rein Wolfs ([e-mail]).