Nathanja van Dijk named director

The supervisory board of the Kunsthal Rotterdam Foundation has appointed Nathanja van Dijk as the new director of the Kunsthal Rotterdam. Van Dijk (1984) is an art historian (University of Utrecht / University of Amsterdam), curator and cultural entrepreneur. She will be succeeding Emily Ansenk, who was appointed as general director of the Holland Festival on 1 September 2019.

As co-founder and director, Van Dijk opened the Rotterdam art institute A Tale of A Tub in 2014. Before that, she was artistic director of the Frankendael Foundation in Amsterdam (2012-2014), and Concordia 21rozendaal in Enschede (2010-2012). Since 2009, Van Dijk has also been working as an independent curator on projects that build bridges between art and current affairs. In recent years, Van Dijk has furthermore been active as a consultant for various corporate and private art collections. 

Arjan Schakenbos, chairman of the supervisory board: “With her enthusiasm, her enterprising personality, her international network, and the large variety of activities she has undertaken, we are convinced that in Nathanja van Dijk we have found a worthy successor to Emily Ansenk.”

The Kunsthal team, as well as the works council have responded positively to the appointment. Nathanja van Dijk starts at the Kunsthal mid-November.

Nathanja van Dijk about her appointment: “Kunsthal Rotterdam is an amazing institute with guts and energy. Thanks to its dynamic, high-contrast, and always surprising programming, the Kunsthal is THE place where the outside world in all its diversity is welcomed in. I can’t wait to start working with the committed Kunsthal team, artists, creators of culture, and partners on securing the unique position of the Kunsthal in Rotterdam and far beyond.”

Emily Ansenk is pleased with the appointment of Van Dijk as her successor: “With Nathanja van Dijk, the Kunsthal is bringing in an enterprising art professional. Above all, I would like to wish her a great deal of enjoyment. In the light of all her achievements, I have every faith that, together with the team, she will succeed in further expanding the Kunsthal’s success. Her sparkling personality and original ideas perfectly match this day and age, and the dynamics of the Kunsthal.”

About the Kunsthal Rotterdam
Situated in the cultural hub of Rotterdam with an average of 225,000 visitors annually, the Kunsthal Rotterdam is one of the leading art institutions of The Netherlands. The Kunsthal was designed in 1992 by the renowned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and boasts seven different exhibition spaces. Today, the Kunsthal Rotterdam stages 23 exhibitions a year (circa five at the same time, focused on different types of target audiences and stakeholders), presenting culture in the broadest sense of the word: historical and classical art, modern and contemporary art, design, fashion and photography. Varying from high art and low culture, multidisciplinary and always accessible for a broad public, including exhibitions on Keith Haring, Robert Mapplethorpe, HipHop, Science Fiction and more recently on Joana Vasconcelos and Thierry Mugler. All the exhibits are complemented by an extensive educational- and side programme.

Check www.kunsthal.nl for the Kunsthal exhibition programme.

The Kunsthal LIVE programme puts on cultural events to inspire, educate, entertain and connect. Enjoy special events, meet your idols during Master Classes, and discover the secrets behind art. Check the calendar with all LIVE activities on www.kunsthal.nl/live