Chair of the Supervisory Board
Stroom Den Haag (hereinafter: Stroom) is a center of expertise for art, society, and the public sphere. Together with contemporary artists, we explore the culture of living together, critically examine future-oriented perspectives, and stimulate the public’s imagination. We do this through three main areas of focus: we advise on and facilitate art in public spaces, we support artists and initiatives in The Hague as part of urban life, and we offer engaging programs for various audiences—at our location, in downtown The Hague, and with partners both domestically and abroad.
Believing in the power of the relationship between art and society, Stroom actively seeks connections to social issues and dialogue with the city.
Stroom receives financial support from the Municipality of The Hague, supplemented by contributions from funds such as the Creative Industries Fund NL, the Mondriaan Fund, and the Prince Claus Fund, as well as temporary art commissions and occasional collaborations. Stroom was founded in 1990 as an independent foundation. Stroom employs 16 full-time equivalents (FTEs), which translates to 20 people working part-time. The flexible workforce consists of an average of 40 people.
Stroom is currently working to build a healthier, more robust, and future-proof organization. This effort provides direction for the implementation of the current Arts Plan 2021–2024. The transition from an executive board model to a supervisory board model (effective September 1, 2023) is also part of this professionalization initiative. For more information, please see the most recent 2022 annual report.
Effective September 1, 2023, or as soon as possible, Stroom is seeking a:
Chairperson
Governance and Oversight Philosophy
The Supervisory Board is Stroom’s highest supervisory, oversight, and advisory body. The Supervisory Board ensures that the executive directors manage the organization in accordance with the foundation’s mission and deliver outstanding performance. The Supervisory Board does this proactively by anticipating and reflecting on the decisions made by the executive directors.
The management of the foundation is entrusted to the two executive directors. The Supervisory Board oversees the policies of the artistic and executive directors, the achievement of the foundation’s objectives and activities, and the general course of business at the foundation. In doing so, it adheres to the Cultural Governance Code, the Diversity and Inclusion Code, and the Fair Practice Code. Additionally, the board serves as the employer of the executive directors. The division of roles between the Board of Trustees and the Board of Directors is primarily laid out in the articles of incorporation and the board regulations. Within this formal framework, the Board of Trustees acts as an advisor and sparring partner to the Board of Directors.
In selecting members for the Board of Trustees, the focus is on finding complementary expertise in the fields of visual arts, politics, urban development, and finance. In addition, the aim is to achieve a balanced composition that reflects diversity, for example in terms of gender, expertise, age, and cultural background.
The members of the Supervisory Board:
- are not direct stakeholders of the foundation;
- have a broad social perspective and a network relevant to the foundation;
- preferably live in the (wider) Haaglanden region;
- are sufficiently familiar with working in the public sector, particularly with regard to handling grants; • endorse the Cultural Governance Code;
- have an understanding of the requirements placed on the organization in terms of quality, purpose, legitimacy, and continuity;
- preferably have an affinity for visual arts, society, and art in public spaces;
Candidate profile:
In addition to the above, the selection of the new chairperson will specifically take into account:
- financial knowledge and experience, particularly in business operations and fundraising;
- network in the political, administrative, and/or business world;
- a knack for building connections.
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The Supervisory Board meets four to six times a year, and as often as necessary due to specific circumstances or events. The presence of Supervisory Board members at specific openings and events is greatly appreciated.
Reimbursement
The Supervisory Board does not receive any compensation for its work. Members receive an attendance fee for meetings they attend.
Comment
For further information, please contact Hanneke Beynen (interim executive director) or Joost Vrieler (chair of the board).
Please send your cover letter and resume by Sunday, June 18, 2023, to Joost Vrieler at hr@stroom.nl, with the subject line “Application for Chair of the Supervisory Board.”
The first interviews will take place on a Tuesday and/or Wednesday evening after June 18, at a time to be determined.
