Member and Chair of the Supervisory Board

Tryater is Fryslân’s leading multilingual theater company and is part of the national cultural infrastructure. Tryater has been in existence for sixty years. We stage over 270 large- and small-scale performances each year, reaching some 25,000 audience members: children, young people, and adults. Based in Leeuwarden, you can see us throughout Fryslân and beyond. In theaters and villages, in schools and on location. We bring new stories, close to the hearts of our audience. Drawing on all the experience we’ve gained since our founding in 1965 and fueled by the inspiration and energy of the young talent we work with. We also collaborate closely with other European theater companies. Tryater receives structural funding in four-year cycles from the Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science, the Province of Fryslân, and the Municipality of Leeuwarden. We recently developed a new multi-year policy program for the period 2025–2028. More information about the policy plan and Tryater can be found on our website: www.tryater.nl.

As the terms of office are coming to an end, we are seeking a unifying chairperson for our Supervisory Board ( effective September 2025) and a member with a legal/governance background (effective April 2025).

Supervisory Board

Tryater is a foundation. The strategy, operational management, and day-to-day artistic direction are the responsibility of a two-person executive board consisting of a business director and an artistic director. The Supervisory Board (RvT) fulfills three key roles: overseeing the direction and policy of the organization, advising the executive board, and acting as the employer of the directors. The Supervisory Board carries out these roles in a professional and independent manner, in compliance with the law, the Cultural Governance Code, the foundation’s articles of incorporation, other regulations, and relevant codes of conduct. In doing so, the Supervisory Board ensures that the management acts in accordance with Tryater’s objectives and long-term policy program. The Board of Trustees demonstrates visible commitment to the foundation and its social objectives, both internally and externally. In addition, the members of the Board of Trustees are able to operate independently and critically in relation to other members and the management, and to take measures to ensure the leadership of the foundation in the absence of the management.

Composition

The Board of Trustees strives to achieve a good balance among its members in terms of age, gender, nationality, experience, and cultural background, and welcomes people of all backgrounds, preferences, ideas, and beliefs. Regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion, or disabilities. This diversity is essential to fulfilling Tryater’s mission and to strengthening broad public support.

Board members are expected to be able—including in terms of the time they have available—to monitor and support the management’s policies and the general course of business within the foundation in a timely and effective manner, and to advise the management in the preparation and implementation of those policies. The members are willing to utilize their professional networks for the benefit of Tryater.

Board members do not receive compensation for their roles, but their involvement is recognized as an important contribution to society. Each board member has their own area of expertise and is appointed by the Board for a maximum of two four-year terms. The Board currently consists of six members and meets four to five times a year.

The areas of expertise are:

• Expertise in the legal field, governance, and the Governance Code on Culture;
• Business, financial, and organizational expertise;
• Cultural and artistic experience and expertise;
• Knowledge of Frisian and multilingualism;
• A network in the social and political spheres and a network with the business community.

The general profile outlining the required qualities for all members of the Supervisory Board can be found at the bottom of this document.

Chairperson's Profile

The chairperson plays a coordinating and unifying role within the Board of Trustees. In addition to the general qualities expected of all Board members, the chairperson possesses:

• Excellent leadership skills and experience in leading meetings and decision-making processes, as well as in team building and boardroom dynamics;
• The ability to foster a culture of integrity, inclusivity, and social safety within the Board of Trustees, in which all members feel heard and valued;
• Experience in the role of an employer and the role of the compensation committee;
• The availability and flexibility to fulfill the role, including representing the Supervisory Board to the outside world;
• A well-established network within relevant social, cultural, and political spheres;
  
  

Member profile with expertise in law/governance

This member brings legal knowledge and experience to the table. In addition to the general qualities expected of all Board of Trustees members, this member possesses:

• Experience in the legal field;
• Knowledge of compliance and legal issues within organizations;
• A keen eye for governance and the Cultural Governance Code;
• In addition, the member oversees the annual evaluation of the Supervisory Board and serves as the public face of the oversight process.
   

What we offer

This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role at Tryater, an organization with significant social and cultural impact that contributes to an inclusive and multilingual society. The appointment is for a term of four years, with the intention of extending it—by mutual agreement—for a second term of four years.

Procedure

Are you interested in these job openings? If so, please send your resume and a brief cover letter to info@tryater.nl by Monday, February 3. Interviews will be held in March.

For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Hendrikus Venema (member of Tryater’s Board of Trustees) at: 06-46 14 29 08 or hendrikus.venema@gmail.com

Recruitment agencies are asked to refrain from contacting us regarding this job opening.

General profile

The individual members of the Board of Trustees are:

• Knowledge, experience, and an affinity for Tryater’s nature, culture, and organizational structure;
• An affinity for Tryater’s mission;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Capable of carrying out the duties assigned to the Council in a responsible manner;
• Substantive knowledge and expertise in, or an affinity for, one or more of the areas of responsibility listed above;
• General administrative skills and experience;
• Willing to actively apply your knowledge and experience to benefit Tryater;
• Willing and able to provide the management with both solicited and unsolicited advice during both the preparation and implementation of policy;
• Able to serve as a sounding board for Tryater’s management in the aforementioned areas, whether solicited or unsolicited;
• The ability to evaluate Tryater’s policies and the performance of its management (both artistic and administrative);
• The personality and background necessary to play a meaningful role in the Board of Trustees’ deliberations and decision-making;
• An understanding of and overview regarding the duties and roles of the Supervisory Board and the Executive Board, and the ability to strike the right balance between involvement and detachment;
• Possesses the qualities and demeanor necessary to fulfill an external role in the best interests of Tryater, if required (in accordance with the articles of incorporation);
• Integrity, a sense of responsibility, and an independent mindset;
• A network with nationwide and regional (Friesland) coverage in both the cultural sector and the business community;
• Have no conflicts of interest and disclose their outside positions (and any changes thereto);
• Sufficient availability.