Teylers Museum is the oldest museum in the Netherlands. It is a unique 18th-century institution of learning, housed in its original building. The museum is the place to be for those who want to marvel at art and science, and it boasts a fascinating collection of fossils, minerals, books, coins, medals, scientific instruments, paintings, and drawings of international significance.
We organize a wide variety of successful exhibitions, ranging from Leonardo da Vinci to Dinomakers, from Vogelpracht to Hockney’s Eye. Recently, the beautifully restored home of founder Pieter Teyler has also opened to the public. We aim to breathe new life into this house in collaboration with artists from the Netherlands and abroad, thereby making Teylers Museum one of the leading hotspots for contemporary art.
Job Description
As Curator of Contemporary Art at Pieter Teylers Huis, you will organize high-quality yet accessible art projects featuring renowned contemporary artists from the Netherlands and abroad. You have a distinctive vision of contemporary art and a broad, inclusive, relevant, and (inter)national network of artists, gallery owners, collectors, and curators. You’re also brimming with new ideas and know how to turn them into concrete projects with impact. Plus, you know how to inspire and connect people. Is this you? Then apply now and become the face of the museum in the world of contemporary art!
You will be working at an organization with an informal culture, in the Art Department, which is led by the Chief Curator of Art.
Work
Your main responsibilities will include:
- developing policies related to innovative presentations of contemporary art;
- Developing concrete art projects in collaboration with colleagues and renowned artists;
- Maintaining and expanding your existing network of artists and galleries both domestically and internationally;
- Conducting research;
- Writing engaging exhibition texts and articles, and giving lectures;
- Contributing to the collection policy and making acquisition proposals in the field of modern and contemporary drawing.
What do we offer?
A dynamic workplace in the heart of Haarlem, working alongside a talented team · The opportunity to help make Teylers Museum a leading venue for contemporary art · The opportunity to develop your skills through training courses, for example · A 24-hour-per-week position with competitive terms of employment in accordance with the Museum Collective Bargaining Agreement · The position is classified in pay grade 11 (a salary between €3,525 and €4,738 gross per month based on a full-time (36-hour) workweek) · The position is funded by a grant and is therefore temporary for the time being. Initially, a one-year employment contract will be offered.
Profile
- You have a degree in art history, cultural studies, or fine arts, or have acquired knowledge in this field through other means;
- You should ideally have at least three years of work experience as a curator of exhibition projects in the field of contemporary art
- You enjoy working with other people
- You are a creative person who likes to take the initiative
- You love getting results and think in terms of solutions when things don't go as planned
- You can communicate effectively with our colleagues and partners, both verbally and in writing, in Dutch and/or English
Comment
We want to make Teylers Museum a vibrant hub for contemporary art, and we hope you’ll help us achieve that. Please send us your resume along with a cover letter in which you reflect on the questions below:
- What is your view of Teylers Museum, and how would you turn the museum into a leading institution in the field of contemporary art?
- Which art project at Pieter Teyler’s House (i.e., in a historic setting) would you most like to launch first?
- Briefly describe an art project you developed for another organization and how successful it was. What would you do differently next time?
Please send your resume and a cover letter by October 24, 2022, to: vacatures@teylersmuseum.nl, with the subject line “Contemporary Art Curator Position.” For more information about the position, please contact the Head of the Art Department, Terry van Druten (tvdruten@teylersmuseum.nl).
Teylers Museum is committed to providing equal opportunities for everyone and to being an open organization where people feel comfortable and safe. We strongly encourage anyone who can contribute to this mission to get in touch.
