Secretary

About the organization

The Performing Arts Fund is one of six national cultural funds and supports professional artists in their work. We encourage artistic development, invest in deepening and broadening artistic practice, and fund the creation of new works. We also ensure that these works reach as wide an audience as possible. The Fund supports the full spectrum of the performing arts, from pop music to spoken-word theater and from circus theater to musicals. In addition, we encourage the exploration of the boundaries between disciplines.

The Fund employs six secretaries who, as members of the Fund’s staff, play a key role within the organization. Each secretary serves as the subject matter expert for all matters within their area(s) of responsibility.

Who are you?

• You have a strong network within various scenes and know how to find the places that are on the move and often have a more informal structure. These include scenes such as urban culture, youth culture, diasporic urban culture, nightlife culture, and “the culture”;
• You are familiar with the more organic origins, approach, and looser forms of collaboration in these scenes, where work is created and developed in a hands-on and flexible manner;
• You have knowledge of and a clear vision for talent development within the broader performing arts sector;
• You move across disciplinary boundaries, identifying areas of friction and opportunities;
• You think strategically, act with integrity, and are approachable. You enjoy working with others, are a good listener, and ask insightful questions;
• You demonstrate strong leadership and communicate in a pleasant, open, and clear manner.

What will you be doing? 

• You are the expert in your areas of focus within the Fund and serve as the point of contact and public face for the field and the organization;
• You are responsible for establishing and monitoring various grant programs and initiatives, and you actively contribute to their development and refinement. In doing so, you also take into account the relationship with the entire range of grant instruments;
• You maintain and strengthen your existing connections and build new relationships, particularly within informal and contemporary circles and in settings where new initiatives are emerging;
• Keep your goal clearly in mind: bringing together the various methods and ideas into a workable practice;
• You will work within the Grants Department alongside colleagues from various teams, such as grants coordinators and consultants, legal advisors, and communications and policy staff;
• You identify opportunities and challenges, and know how to respond to them effectively in your role as secretary: you focus on further strengthening the Fund’s tools and policies;
• You bring a sense of realism to the table: you understand that this is about people, as well as processes and procedures. From the Fund’s perspective, this means, above all, continuing to build on our work and forging even more connections. For some in the field, this may be their first introduction to a potential new resource and funding source.

What do you bring to the table?

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience;
• In-depth knowledge of the Dutch performing arts, including urban arts, talent development, and interdisciplinarity, as well as an understanding of the Fund’s role and position within this sector—including in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom;
• A functional and job-related network;
• A clear vision for talent development within the broader performing arts sector. In this context, you think, observe, and act in a cross-disciplinary manner.
• You can establish connections and make them functional in the relationships between the fund and the field, as well as between different scenes and creative practices within the field;
• Understanding of interrelated organizational, social, financial, technical, and economic issues;
• You are a team player and have experience working on projects within more complex organizations and practices;
• Experience with and/or knowledge of working in a political and administrative environment is a plus;
• Strong writing skills and excellent command of Dutch and English.

What do we offer you?

• A position of 24 to 32 hours per week, to be finalized by mutual agreement;
• A one-year temporary contract, with the possibility of a permanent position;
• A competitive salary (BBRA scale 12), depending on your education and experience, ranging from €4,691.71 to a maximum of €6,907 per month (based on a 36-hour workweek);
• Benefits such as vacation pay, a 13th month’s salary, a phone, a laptop, and reimbursement for travel, attending performances, and other expenses;
• An inspiring workplace in The Hague, offering a hybrid work model: partly in the office, partly at home.

Are you excited? 

Please send your response by Monday, June 16, to vacature@fondspodiumkunsten.nl. We look forward to hearing your vision for the future of urban culture, interdisciplinarity, and talent development within the Dutch performing arts and their audiences. In your letter, please tell us how you see the Fund’s role in this and what contribution you believe you can make. 

Would you like to learn more about the position or do you have any questions? Please feel free to contact Joost Kappers, Head of Grants, by phone at 070-707 2740 or by email at j.kappers@fondspodiumkunsten.nl. We look forward to hearing from you!