{"id":98639,"date":"2025-09-23T07:20:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-23T05:20:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/?p=98639"},"modified":"2025-09-22T21:41:27","modified_gmt":"2025-09-22T19:41:27","slug":"open-brief-aan-toezichthouders-nederlands-fotomuseum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/2025\/09\/open-brief-aan-toezichthouders-nederlands-fotomuseum\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Letter to Supervisors Netherlands Photo Museum"},"content":{"rendered":"
This is the full version of the open letter sent today by a large number of journalists , photo enthusiasts and leaders in the cultural sector to the Supervisory Board of the Dutch Photo Museum.<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

To:<\/strong> Supervisory Board Nederlands Fotomuseum
CC:<\/strong> national newspapers
Date:<\/strong> 22 September 2025
Subject:<\/strong> Administrative turmoil and future Dutch Photo Museum<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dear members of the Supervisory Board,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We, photography lovers, stakeholders and professional administrators active in the arts sector, have noted with concern the sudden resignation of the director-director of the Nederlands Fotomuseum this summer. Our concerns are not isolated: they are widely felt among partners, politicians, friends of the museum and in the cultural sector. This is evidenced by the many reactions in the media, letters sent in, conversations behind the scenes and even questions from the city council.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At stake are not only the substantive grounds for this decision, but more importantly the way the Supervisory Board organised and communicated the process. As yet, an independent and transparent review of the findings is lacking, while public accountability remains extremely limited. That the Board, like the director, has so far remained mostly silent reinforces this vulnerability. Silence in this case is not a strength, but creates room for mistrust.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Nederlands Fotomuseum is one of the cultural pearls of Rotterdam and the Netherlands. Many people have worked hard to realise and flourish precisely this museum with its unique archive and mission in Rotterdam. The museum fulfils a role that extends far beyond the walls of the institution and contributes substantially to the city's (inter)national position. Any ambiguity, any loss of trust and any additional burden arising from internal decision-making makes the position of the museum and the cultural sector more vulnerable. This affects not only the internal organisation, but also Rotterdam's reputation as a city of culture and an innovative global city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We therefore urge you to heed our call:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Transparency:<\/strong>\u00a0disclose how the internal investigation was conducted and how the Council reached its verdict.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Caring:<\/strong>\u00a0Ensure an independent investigation into the course of events and the roles of all parties involved.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Accountability and dialogue:<\/strong>\u00a0recognise that a Supervisory Board, precisely because of its extensive public funding, is bound to make explainable decisions and engage in a conversation about this with us as a broad group of friends, connoisseurs and enthusiasts who care about the museum.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    We trust you will take this signal seriously and take responsibility for restoring the trust of the public, staff and partners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Sincerely,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Emily Ansenk
    Matti Austen
    Marianne Berendse
    Lennart Booij
    George Brugmans
    Harry-Jan Bus
    Theo Coskun
    Joop Daalmeijer
    Margriet Drijver
    Sjarel Ex
    Eric Fisher
    Anouk van Heesch
    Paul Hofstra
    Patrick van der Hijden
    Cathy Jacob
    Marianne de Jong
    Ali Keles
    Marianne Chain
    Laurens G.F. Knoop
    Frits Loomeijer
    Rob Malasch<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Kees van der Meiden
    Vincent Mentzel
    Jeffrey Meulman
    Guido van Nispen
    Rachel van Olm
    Ivo Opstelten
    Jan Pronk
    Chris Reinewald
    Joyce Roodnat
    Frederik Santman
    Wijbrand Schaap
    Elselien Smit
    Jantje Steenhuis
    Pauline Terreehorst
    Ton de Vos
    Gerben Vos
    Dieter de Vroomen
    Kees Weeda
    Emile Wennekens
    Hans Wilschut
    Erik van Zuylen<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Aan: Raad van Toezicht Nederlands FotomuseumCC: landelijke dagbladenDatum: 22 september 2025Betreft: Bestuurlijke onrust en toekomst Nederlands Fotomuseum Geachte leden van de Raad van Toezicht, Wij, fotografieliefhebbers, belanghebbenden en professioneel bestuurders actief in de kunstsector, hebben met zorg kennisgenomen van het plotselinge ontslag van de directeur-bestuurder van het Nederlands Fotomuseum deze zomer. Onze zorgen staan niet op zichzelf: zij leven […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":98641,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"activitypub_content_warning":"","activitypub_content_visibility":"","activitypub_max_image_attachments":3,"activitypub_interaction_policy_quote":"anyone","activitypub_status":"federated","footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[15614,10340,9563,11688],"tags":[16449,15891,16448],"class_list":["post-98639","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-beleid","category-erfgoed","category-fotografie","category-word-lid","tag-birgit-donker","tag-code-cultural-governance","tag-fotomuseum"],"views":386,"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/nederlands-fotomuseum.webp","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":98792,"url":"https:\/\/cultureelpersbureau.nl\/en\/2025\/10\/rotterdam-baalt-van-oppermachtige-toezichthouder-en-slappe-wethouder-opening-nederlands-fotomuseum-nog-heel-ver-weg\/","url_meta":{"origin":98639,"position":0},"title":"Rotterdam balks at supreme regulator and limp alderman: opening Nederlands Fotomuseum still very far away","author":"Wijbrand Schaap","date":"2 October 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"On Thursday 2 October, the Rotterdam City Council debated the issue of the Fotomuseum. 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