Member of the Supervisory Board

The venue operates at the intersection of art, education, and society. Audiences are invited not only to watch, but also to experience and engage with what is happening on stage or on screen. Here, today’s creators and tomorrow’s talent are given the space to experiment, explore, and engage with social developments. 

This makes the venue relevant to a broad and curious audience, while also being essential for talent development and artistic innovation. The organization operates in a city that is growing, both in size and in cultural ambition. The municipal Culture Vision 2030 places a strong emphasis on accessibility, distribution, talent development, and collaboration. In particular, strengthening the position of performing arts venues is a key focus. De Lieve Vrouw has chosen a distinct positioning within the urban and regional ecosystem. Collaboration is essential in this regard. De Lieve Vrouw works closely with partners in the city and region, including Flint, FLUOR, FASadE, Kunsthal KAdE, NEOS, and KOSMIK, as well as with local creators, festivals, educational institutions, and national and international venues and film organizations. 

At the same time, a broader movement is taking shape. In Amersfoort, work is underway on the development of a new Cultural Centre, in which De Lieve Vrouw, Flint and FLUOR will eventually collaborate more intensively. This development directly affects the future positioning, programming and organisational strength of De Lieve Vrouw. It calls for a vision on collaboration without losing one's own identity. For clarity on the division of roles as well as shared ambition.

Organisational challenges

Theater De Lieve Vrouw is implementing a strategic plan for the period 2025–2028. The coming years will be focused on a number of interconnected priorities, such as:

Expanding and broadening our audience reach

Today’s audience is engaged and loyal. At the same time, there is a challenge to reach new groups, particularly younger generations and diverse urban audiences. This calls for different approaches to programming, communication, and audience engagement.

Strengthening entrepreneurship and partnerships

The cultural sector demands agility and new revenue models. De Lieve Vrouw is exploring ways to align its social and artistic value with sustainable financial and organizational development.

Further development of digitization and online strategy

Film and theater are increasingly blurring the lines between the physical and digital worlds. How can you use digital channels, data, and technology to reach, engage, and deepen your connection with audiences—without losing sight of the live experience—all while complying with privacy laws?

Positioning within the future Cultural Center

The move toward closer collaboration with Flint and FLUOR calls for strategic focus. How can De Lieve Vrouw remain recognizable and distinctive while simultaneously building a shared cultural infrastructure for the city?

The task facing the Supervisory Board

The Supervisory Board oversees the continuity, quality, and social impact of the Theater De Lieve Vrouw Foundation, as well as the affiliated Theatercafé De Lieve Vrouw Foundation, and serves as a strategic advisor to the executive director. 

The Board of Trustees operates with a sense of commitment and independence, keeping both day-to-day realities and the long term in mind.

The Supervisory Board

The Supervisory Board consists of five independent members who—acting collectively and drawing on their diverse individual knowledge, experience, and backgrounds—oversee the strategic (long-term) policy and activities of De Lieve Vrouw and its two foundations. 

The Board of Trustees offers constructive criticism and advises the director, both upon request and on its own initiative. It meets four to six times a year. The Board of Trustees fulfills its role from the perspective of the organization’s cultural and social mission. This mission is carefully monitored, as is the organization’s continuity. 

The Supervisory Board ensures independence, expertise, and diversity in its composition. Independence from the work and network of the foundations is, of course, a key consideration in the selection of new members. The organization operates in accordance with three codes for good governance in the cultural sector (the Cultural Governance Code, the Diversity and Inclusion Code, and the Fair Practice Code). The following is expected:

• An interest in art, culture, and social issues
• An understanding of governance and administrative relationships
• The ability to provide high-level guidance and probe for the essence of an issue
• Independence and integrity
• Active involvement (approximately 4–6 meetings per year, supplemented by occasional gatherings) 

The profile

For this position, we are specifically seeking a female candidate who can bring a fresh perspective to the Supervisory Board. This could certainly be someone at the early stage of her supervisory career who is eager to grow in this role.

We are looking for someone who:
• Lives in or near Amersfoort and/or has a connection to the city
• Has or has access to relevant networks, particularly in the business world or entrepreneurial context
• Has an affinity for art and culture, specifically the performing arts and/or film
•    Has an affinity for or interest in digitization, data analysis, privacy legislation, and new forms of audience engagement  

Attitude is more important than experience:
• Curious and inquisitive
• Able to ask sharp, open-ended questions
• Reflective and self-aware
• Independent in thought and judgment
• Willing to learn, demonstrate commitment, and grow as a supervisor 

We are specifically looking for someone who can contribute to diversity in terms of perspective, experience, and background within the board.

Role and contribution

As a member of the Supervisory Board:
• Are you both a sounding board and an employer for the CEO? 
• Do you contribute to the strategic direction and long-term development? 
• Monitor performance, continuity, and social value 
• Do you bring a unique perspective and network to the table? 
• You know how to strike a good balance between closeness and independence 
Your role is not operational, but it is engaged. You observe, think along and ask the questions that matter.

What De Lieve Vrouw Offers

• A committed and open-minded Supervisory Board 
• An organization with a strong strategic direction and a clear identity 
• A position at the heart of a dynamic cultural network 
• Free ticket program for theater and film 
• The position is unpaid.

Interviews for this position will generally take place on-site on the evening of Tuesday, May 19. Theater De Lieve Vrouw is being advised by Colourful People throughout this process. Winfred Voordendag, senior partner at Colourful People, is happy to answer any questions you may have. He can be reached at w.voordendag@colourfulpeople.nl or by cell phone at 06-28284706. Applications are welcome until Sunday, May 10, via the application button, accompanied by a resume and cover letter.