Artistic director M HKA

Role and authority

The Artistic Director bears final artistic responsibility for the collection, programme, artistic research, public-facing content and artistic positioning of M HKA. At the heart of the role is the coordination and connection of people, expertise and partners around an ambitious artistic direction. The director does not develop and deliver this direction alone, but together with the M HKA team, artists, researchers and external partners. Taking the collection as a starting point, the director connects exhibitions, research, public engagement, education, film, visual culture, publications, digital development and international collaboration, ensuring that these areas are aligned both conceptually and in practice.

The Artistic Director operates within the policy, funding and budgetary framework approved by the governing body. The mandate is exercised through inspiring and participatory leadership: the director takes responsibility, fosters dialogue and constructive challenge, and involves staff, artists, partners—including heritage institutions, grassroots organisations and private institutions—communities and external experts in developing the artistic programme.

Shared executive responsibility

The Artistic Director and the Executive Director jointly form the executive leadership team and share responsibility for M HKA’s strategic development and operations. The Artistic Director safeguards the artistic direction, collection, programme, research, public-facing content and artistic positioning. The Executive Director safeguards the museum’s overall organisational, financial, HR and operational capacity and resilience. Decisions with both artistic and organisational or business implications are prepared and taken jointly, in accordance with clear mandates established by the governing body.

Together, both directors safeguard the alignment between artistic ambition, public mission and institutional sustainability and represent M HKA from their complementary areas of responsibility.

Core responsibilities

• Developing a new policy plan for the 2029–2033 period in collaboration with the Executive Director;
• coordinating the development and delivery of the artistic programme, bringing teams, disciplines, artists, fellow heritage institutions and external partners together around shared goals;
• supporting the transition towards an open, relational and forward-looking museum, guided by M HKA’s artistic mission and network-based approach;
• building sustainable relationships with artists, partners, knowledge institutions, communities and international networks;
• developing, articulating and championing a distinctive artistic vision in collaboration with the team and partners;
• activating the collection, together with the team and partners, as a foundation for artistic research, presentation, artistic production, public engagement and collection development;
• developing, together with the team and partners, a coherent programme that connects artistic quality with societal relevance and public value;
• representing and positioning M HKA artistically, intellectually and internationally in collaboration with the Executive Director, the team and partners;
• building and strengthening relationships with private funders and public authorities in collaboration with the Executive Director;
• representing M HKA externally with visibility and conviction, in collaboration with the Executive Director.

Education, knowledge and experience

• Education and experience: Holds a master’s degree or has an equivalent level of education or experience.
• Leadership: At least five years of curatorial experience in a museum or public/private cultural organisation, and at least three years of leadership experience (to be clearly specified in the CV). Experience in an international context is an asset.
• Collection practice: Has demonstrable experience of and motivation for activating M HKA’s collections for research, presentation, artistic production, public engagement, collaboration and collection development.
• Artistic vision and positioning: Has a strong profile in contemporary art and convincingly connects artistic choices with societal, urban and international developments.
• Language skills: Communicates excellently in spoken and written Dutch and English. Candidates who do not speak Dutch must be willing to learn it within a short period. Knowledge of other languages is an asset.

Competencies

• Coordinating and collaborative leadership: Provides direction, brings staff, artists and partners together, and safeguards coherence, progress and shared ownership.
• Network-building: Develops sustainable partnerships with artists, museums, heritage and knowledge institutions, communities and other partners to strengthen M HKA’s quality, relevance and impact. Also builds temporary networks around exhibitions or other activities to extend the reach of M HKA’s artistic programme.
• Decision-making and collaboration: Makes clear choices, facilitates consultation and constructive challenge, and works constructively and as an equal partner with the Executive Director, the museum team, and international and local partners.
• Communication and representation: Articulates the artistic policy clearly and persuasively to staff, the governing body, public authorities, partners, audiences and international networks.
• Societal engagement: Connects contemporary art with current developments, with attention to diversity, inclusion and accessibility.

Practical information

Candidates must submit their application via the designated application link.
Applications must be submitted no later than 1 November 2026. Applications are submitted via M HKA’s recruitment platform with CV, cover letter an vision statement: M HKA Jobs
A reserve list of successful candidates will be established. This reserve list will remain valid for a period of one year.

More information on the procedure and requirements can be found in the attached information booklet.