Job offer: the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam seeks a textile curator

Wednesday, 7 April 2010

As the National Museum of Art and History, the Rijksmuseum holds canonical collections of Netherlandish fine and applied arts and historical artifacts from the Middle Ages onwards, supplemented by important holdings of European and Asian art. Its principal function is to study, enhance and augment these collections and to present them for the enjoyment and benefit of a broad national and international audience.

Information form the museum, 7 April 2010

The Rijksmuseum is currently seeking a new:

Textile Curator
36 hours per week
to start as soon as possible

Information about the position

You are responsible for the textile, gold-tooled leather and wallpaper collection. European tapestries, linen damasks, oriental carpets, upholstered interior elements, European textiles (including silk fabrics) and lace represent key sub-collections.

As curator, you have a vision for the development of this collection, make proposals for acquisition, and implement policy with respect to the formation, maintenance/preservation and management of this sub-collection. You conduct research on the collection and pass on the knowledge acquired to as broad an audience as possible by means of general and scientific publications, exhibitions, presentations, lectures, etc.

Your position falls under the Department of Fine and Decorative Arts, which comprises curators, academic staff, project employees and trainees in the area of European and Asian painting, sculpture and applied arts. In addition, you work closely with conservators, documentation specialists and other museum specialists. Outside the museum, you develop a national and international network, in part through cooperation with other national and international institutions, including museums and universities.

You make a professional impression and can communicate your knowledge of the collection with enthusiasm, with the aim of increasing awareness of the wealth of textile ornament and iconography and the visually prominent role textile plays in European interiors.

Requirements

– You have a university-level qualification in art history.
– You have experience in managing and presenting a museum collection.
– You have an extensive knowledge of art history, preferably in the field of textiles, demonstrated by prominent exhibitions and publications.
– You are object-orientated and have an affinity with textiles – you recognize the significance of or attribute significance to works of art and other objects.
– You are fluent in English, German and French.
– You have an international network covering Europe, USA and the Middle East or are prepared to develop one.
– Your experience includes interdisciplinary, academic and project work.

Appointment

The position is for one year. After one year, the appointment may be extended twice by one year. This will then – assuming satisfactory performance and unchanged organizational circumstances – be converted into a permanent contract.

Salary

Depending on education and experience, the gross monthly salary will be between €3,284 and €4,574 (scale 12) for a full working week of 36 hours, excluding the holiday allowance and end of year bonus. The collective labor agreement (CAO) for independent national museums applies.

Further information

For further information about the position, contact Gregor Weber, Head of Department of Fine and Decorative Arts, by phone on +31 (0)20 674 7282. For questions regarding the application procedure, phone Anita Jansen, Human Resources Manager, on +31 (0)20 674 7326.