From the RKD press release, 8 June 2012

The board of the RKD (Netherlands Institute of Art History) is pleased to announce that Dr. Chris Stolwijk has been appointed to succeed Prof. Dr. R.E.O. Ekkart as the director of the RKD from 1 November 2012. Stolwijk will be responsible for this internationally acclaimed institute, that collects, conserves, manages and gives access to art historical information, but also stimulates research and publications and (co-)organizes exhibitions. The Dutch Halbe Zijlstra, State Secretary of Culture has assigned the RKD to form a institute of excellence in art historical research in cooperation with the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam.

Stolwijk sees an abundance of opportunities: "The RKD is an institute of international stature, with an enormously rich collection and tradition. In these times, that call for intensive national and international collaborations, the RKD can be the independent "spider in the web" in the world of museums, scholarship and the art trade. That function should be further developed and be an example of collection digitization and service to the public."

Stolwijk regards his appointment as a great honour and responsibility: "Anyone concerned with art, simply cannot work without the RKD. To direct this well respected institute towards a further international positioning is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I want to contribute in a positive way and directed towards the future, based upon an ambitious and in-depth program. I count myself lucky to be able to consult dedicated and professional colleagues that have made the RKD what it is today: an indispensable institute in our cultural landscape."

Chris Stolwijk studied Political sience and Art history and received his PhD in 1997 at Utrecht University. Since late 1996 he has been working at the Van Gogh Museum, his last function was Head of Art (Collections, Research and Presentation). Chris Stolwijk is a member of CODART since 2008.