Board member

For nearly 25 years, Bekijk ‘t has made a conscious effort to support students in the VMBO program. We actively advocate for a sense of ownership and a positive image of this diverse and talented group of young people. Bekijk ‘t values their strengths, talents, and expertise highly, and we want to share that appreciation with a wider audience.  

Bekijk ‘t believes that students have the right to tell their own stories. That is why we provide students with the tools and skills to create their own films and media, and to discover and develop their artistic talents. To this end, Bekijk ‘t collaborates with passionate film and media teachers, many of whom are former vocational high school students themselves. This helps young people envision a future for themselves as artists, reporters, creative producers, or filmmakers. 

As of 2024, Bekijk ‘t has four full-time staff members. The Bekijk ‘t office team consists of a director, a creative producer, a head of education, an education officer, a production assistant, a communications officer, an administrative assistant, and a web administrator. The director, head of education, production assistant, and creative producer are salaried employees. The other staff members have chosen to work for Bekijk ‘t as freelancers. In addition, we work with approximately 30 freelance workshop instructors and 4 cultural coaches at an average of 25 schools in Amsterdam.  

Our artistic programming plans can count on structural funding from the AFK during the upcoming arts planning period.  

We are currently seeking a board member to attend at least four meetings per year (unpaid) due to the end of one of the board members’ term of office.  

Board Profile 

The Bekijk ‘t board currently consists of five members, two of whom attended vocational secondary school (VMBO) themselves and work in education. Board members are appointed for four years and may be reappointed a maximum of two times (three terms). Bekijk ‘t has been following the Governance Code for Culture since 2019. Since 2023, we have been evaluating it annually. We use the tool “Small Organizations and the Governance Code.” Since its establishment in 2001, the foundation has operated under a board-management model. The annual report, financial statements, and articles of incorporation are available on the Bekijk ‘t website. The articles of incorporation were amended in 2022 in accordance with the WBTR, as was the registration of the UBOs.  

Board members serve in an unpaid capacity. The director is responsible for day-to-day management as well as artistic and business leadership. The board meets at least four times a year and has final responsibility for artistic and business policy. Board members approve the foundation’s decisions and important documents, such as grant applications, annual reports, and budgets. Bekijk ‘t has directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.  

As of 2023, Bekijk ‘t has a set of regulations for its management and board members. If there are suspicions of a conflict of interest or competing interests regarding the outside positions held by board members or directors, this will be discussed during the board meeting. Bekijk ‘t is transparent about any potential conflicts of interest. It is also a topic of the annual performance review with employees. Performance reviews are conducted using a 360-degree approach, and the board receives feedback from employees on the director’s performance twice a year. 

What are we looking for?  

• Interest in and affinity with the activities of Bekijk ‘t; 
• An affinity for and/or experience with vocational education (MBO), preparatory vocational education (VMBO), and practical education; 
• Even a VMBO diploma is an asset;  
• A clear vision of inclusion and equity; 
• Experience as a member of a board of directors or supervisory board is preferred; 
• Knowledge of governance and the ability to ensure that the board complies with governance rules, or a willingness to learn how to do so; 
• Relevant network in Amsterdam, including the Amsterdam municipal government, the cultural sector, and social institutions; 
• Experience in education and/or as an entrepreneur is a plus; 
• Knowledge of HR and/or finance is a plus; 
• Sufficient availability for board meetings 

Interested?

Please send a brief cover letter, your resume, or a short video (no longer than 2 minutes) to maren@bekijkt.nl. Interviews will be held during the week of November 25, 2024. If you’re unsure whether this position is right for you or have other questions about the role, please call us at 020-5818150 or send us an email.  

Learn more about us at www.bekijkt.nl. Our office is wheelchair accessible, and there is an elevator in the building. Are you deaf or hard of hearing and/or blind or visually impaired? If so, we will take appropriate measures to make our workplace accessible to you.   

Bekijk ‘t strives to be an inclusive, (radically) equitable, and safe workplace. Through our programs, we actively seek to help combat inequality (including opportunity inequality) and the stigmatization of young people in VMBO. VMBO students are a highly diverse group, with as many stories as there are individuals. They need role models who reflect their cultural backgrounds, religions, genders (and gender expressions), neurodiversities, (physical) disabilities, and educational pathways. We believe that our own organization should reflect that diversity.