The Rijksmuseum and the Fondation Custodia invite two outstanding early career art historians to join them for a two-year, fixed-term apprenticeship. You will spend one year at the Fondation Custodia in Paris and one year at the Print Room of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. This unique opportunity offers in-depth experience with two internationally renowned collections and prepares you for a curatorial career in the field of prints and drawings.
The position
Initiated in 2016, this joint apprenticeship gives you the chance to work in two institutions of very different nature and size, but with a shared strength: internationally acclaimed collections of Dutch and Flemish art. In close collaboration with the institutions’ staff, you will be able to engage in many facets of curatorial work. As integrated members of the curatorial team, you will be involved in its program and contribute to it. It’s a position for 24 months, full time.
Your main activities and responsibilities include:
- assisting with work in the collections’ databases, including cataloguing prints, drawings, etc.;
- assisting in research for potential acquisitions, and visiting previews, auctions and art fairs;
- assisting in research on the permanent collection;
- assisting with collection rotations and exhibitions, including label writing, etc.
- in Paris, you will be responsible for receiving scholars and other visitors in the Frits Lugt Collection’s study room.
Working for the Rijksmuseum and Fondation Custodia
The Rijksmuseum is the museum of the Netherlands for art and history with a collection of more than 1 million objects. Its Print Room houses one of the leading collections of prints and drawings in the world, focusing strongly on Dutch art from the Middle Ages through the 21st century.
The Fondation Custodia manages the Frits Lugt Collection, a smaller but exceptional collection of old master works on paper. Based in Paris, it organizes exhibitions, initiates scholarly research and publishes the online edition of Lugt’s Marques de collections de dessins et d’estampes.
What will you contribute?
They are curious to learn who you are, which qualities you bring, and how you want to grow in this field. You are eager to develop expertise in prints and drawings, analytical in your work, precise in your writing and research, and motivated to contribute actively to both institutions.
You also bring:
- a Master’s degree in art history;
- a clear interest in works on paper and the ambition to specialise in curatorial work in this field;
- strong social and analytical skills;
- a good command of English;
- at least a basic knowledge of French and/or Dutch;
- EU citizenship (required for the application process).
What will you get in return?
The two-year appointment starts on 1 January 2026. The first year may take place in either Amsterdam or Paris, and the second year in the other city.
- In Amsterdam: gross monthly salary between €3,768 and €4,897 (scale 10 of the Dutch Museum CAO), including benefits, excluding holiday allowance and year-end bonus. Housing is not provided.
- In Paris: gross monthly salary of €3,000, including benefits, excluding holiday allowance. Housing nearby is provided free of charge.
Deadline for applications: Thursday 30 October 2025.
Click the button below more information about the application process and to apply.