Kunstmuseum Den Haag appoints Margriet Schavemaker as New Director

She succeeds Benno Tempel, who was appointed director of the Kröller-Müller Museum at the end of last year. Schavemaker is currently artistic director of the Amsterdam Museum and professor of media and art in museum practice at the University of Amsterdam. She previously served for many years as a curator and manager of education, interpretation and publications at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam.

Jet de Ranitz, chairman of the Supervisory Board: ‘With Margriet Schavemaker’s appointment, Kunstmuseum Den Haag is strengthening and broadening its position as a leading museum for modern art at a local, national and international level. Drawing upon her extensive knowledge of modern art and her reflections on artistic practice as professor at the University of Amsterdam, Schavemaker tells new stories that appeal to a wide audience. We have every confidence that the museum will break new ground under her leadership and thus remain relevant, challenging and appealing for future generations.’

Paul Broekhoff, managing director of Kunstmuseum Den Haag, is also looking forward to Schavemaker’s arrival: ‘As a hub in The Hague’s cultural field and the home of the municipal art collection, Kunstmuseum Den Haag strives for a deeper connection with the city and all its residents. Our ambition extends beyond the museum’s walls. By actively seeking surprising partnerships with cultural initiatives in The Hague, we aim to develop a new cultural offering, including programmes that appeal to people who rarely or never visit museums. In Margriet Schavemaker, I am convinced we have found the right person to lead us into this new phase.’

Prof. Dr Marieke de Goede, dean of the Faculty of Humanities, University of Amsterdam: ‘As professor of media and art in museum practice, Margriet Schavemaker is highly esteemed within the faculty and beyond for bringing the academic and museum worlds together and for how she uses museum projects as the basis for her teaching. I look forward to our ongoing collaboration and to a closer partnership with the Kunstmuseum Den Haag.’

Margriet Schavemaker: ‘Kunstmuseum Den Haag is one of the world’s most iconic modern and contemporary art museums. I want to build on its profile as a place where you can enjoy the incomparable building, the multifaceted, world-class collections and exciting exhibitions of big-name artists such as Paula Rego, Hilma af Klint and Paula Modersohn-Becker. I also want to explore, together with the team, how the Kunstmuseum, the Fotomuseum Den Haag, KM21 and Escher in The Palace can grow to become accessible and connecting spaces for reflection on and in-depth examination of issues that are important in today’s society.’