Organizer Information
De Pont Museum is a leading independent museum dedicated to international contemporary art, located in a former wool-spinning mill in Tilburg. Since its founding, the institution has developed a strong reputation for its artist-first curatorial approach, prioritizing long-term collaboration with artists and the in-depth development of solo exhibitions.
With over 7,000 square meters of exhibition space, De Pont presents ambitious exhibitions across painting, sculpture, photography, works on paper, video, film, and multimedia installation. Its collection includes approximately 1,000 works, reflecting a sustained commitment to collecting and contextualizing contemporary artistic practices.
The museum operates with a compact and highly engaged team, emphasizing hands-on collaboration, curatorial rigor, and long-term relationships with artists and institutions worldwide.
Title & Description
Senior Curator – De Pont Museum (Tilburg, Netherlands)
De Pont Museum is seeking a highly experienced and visionary Senior Curator to join its team starting 1 October 2026. This senior-level role combines strategic leadership, curatorial expertise, and operational execution, offering a unique opportunity to shape the artistic direction of one of Europe’s most respected contemporary art museums.
The Senior Curator will work closely with the Director & Head Curator to define and implement the museum’s artistic programme, oversee the development and care of its collection, and ensure the highest standards across exhibitions and public-facing activities.
This position is ideal for a curator with a deep understanding of contemporary art, strong experience in exhibition-making, and the ability to balance conceptual vision with practical project management.
The Role Overview
- Position: Senior Curator
- Contract Type: 1-year contract (36 hours/week), with potential extension to permanent
- Start Date: 1 October 2026
- Salary: Market-based salary + 8% holiday allowance
- Reports to: Director & Head Curator
- Team Role: Senior leadership, overseeing curatorial programme and collection strategy
- Work Mode: On-site (Tilburg, Netherlands)
Position & Tasks
The Senior Curator will operate across strategic, artistic, and managerial levels, with responsibilities including:
Curatorial Leadership
- Co-developing the museum’s long-term artistic vision with the Director
- Initiating, developing, and delivering exhibitions in close collaboration with artists
- Curating both temporary exhibitions and collection presentations
- Ensuring conceptual and production quality across all exhibition phases
Collection Development
- Contributing to the long-term collection strategy
- Overseeing the acquisition, research, and presentation of works
- Managing collection care and documentation
Project & Financial Management
- Preparing and managing exhibition budgets
- Ensuring financial feasibility and efficient resource allocation
- Monitoring timelines and production processes
Team & Institutional Coordination
- Leading and mentoring teams across exhibition management, marketing, communication, and education
- Ensuring consistency between exhibitions, public programmes, and audience engagement
- Acting as a key liaison between departments
External Relations & Networking
- Maintaining and expanding relationships with artists, curators, historians, and institutions
- Representing the museum in national and international contexts
- Supporting collaboration with global art networks
Categories
- Visual Art
- Curatorial Practice
- Art Management
- Research
- Installation
- Video & Film
- Photography
- Interdisciplinary Arts
Eligibility
- Open to international applicants (Dutch language proficiency required)
- Degree in Art History or related field
- Extensive knowledge of modern and contemporary art
- Proven experience in curating exhibitions in collaboration with artists
- Strong background in collection management and institutional practice
- Demonstrated leadership experience within multidisciplinary teams
- Excellent communication and organizational skills
- Ability to work on-site in Tilburg
Program Benefits
- Senior leadership role in a major European contemporary art museum
- Direct collaboration with Director & Head Curator
- Opportunity to shape long-term artistic and collection strategy
- Engagement with internationally recognized artists and institutions
- Stable contract with potential for permanent employment
- Competitive salary with additional holiday benefits
- Access to global curatorial and institutional networks
Application Fee
None
Application Requirements
- CV / Resume
- Motivation Letter
- Relevant experience in curatorial practice and art management
How to Apply?
Applications must be submitted via email: vacature@depont.nl
Key Dates
- Application Deadline: 24 May 2026
- Start Date: 1 October 2026
- First Interview Round: Early June 2026 (online)
- Second Interview Round: 15 June 2026 (in-person, Tilburg)
Location
Tilburg, Netherlands
Additional Details
- The role requires physical presence in Tilburg and fluency in Dutch
- Emphasis on hands-on curatorial practice combined with strategic thinking
- Strong institutional focus on long-term artist relationships
- Candidates should demonstrate both conceptual depth and operational efficiency
- The museum values collaboration, autonomy of artists, and high-quality exhibition-making
- The selection process includes two interview rounds (online + in-person)