Rijksmuseum and Fonds 21 EXTRA traineeships: the next step towards an inclusive museum
Publication date: 21 October 2021 - 08:00
The Rijksmuseum is offering multiple Education Traineeships with the support of Fonds 21 EXTRA, which has committed €500,000 in funding. The museum itself will be providing the training for four young people from a range of cultural and other backgrounds. The posts will take the form of paid work-experience placements at the museum’s Public and Education Department for young people with a secondary vocational (mbo) diploma or higher. It is anticipated that graduate trainees will progress into education-related positions at the Rijksmuseum or other museums or cultural organisations. The creation of these Education Traineeships is in line with the Rijksmuseum’s focus on talent development and knowledge sharing.
Fonds 21 believes art and culture should be available to all. These Rijksmuseum traineeships align with our conviction that the participation and engagement of the new generation is essential for connecting to a young, polyphonous audience. We are therefore proud to be able to support this Rijksmuseum initiative.
Henk Christophersen, director of Fonds 21:
Connection
The Rijksmuseum sees diversity as a strength and is keen to draw on the mix of its workforce to benefit the organisation and the quality and breadth of the collection, the exhibitions and the activities that connect visitors with the museum. Coupling trainee selection to new target audiences with whom the Rijksmuseum is looking to connect will generate interesting exchanges of knowledge and experience. The Rijksmuseum wants to develop with the target group, rather than for it. The two-year learning trajectory will see trainees contributing to the practical process of developing an inspiring and innovative offer for the new target audiences.
There’s so much young talent in the Netherlands! We’re offering young adults the opportunity to develop their talents and join us in adding new perspectives to the ‘story of the Netherlands’.
Annemies Broekgaarden, head of the Rijksmuseum’s Public and Education Department:
Inclusivity
The Rijksmuseum connects people, art and history, and wants to be appealing and relatable for a broad, contemporary and diverse public. The museum endeavours to be inclusive with respect to accessibility and diversity, and embraces diversity in its fullest sense, on the basis of ethnicity, age, gender, sexual orientation, educational level, physical and/or mental ability, beliefs, socio-economic background and other criteria. We want to make sure the full scope of the population of the Netherlands and beyond feel welcome here because they can identify with our offer and feel represented and at home.
Fonds 21
Fonds 21 is an enterprising and engaged funding organisation with an annual donation budget of 10 million euros for supporting projects in three areas: Arts & Culture, Youth & Society and Arts & Education. Under the name Fonds 21 EXTRA, the fund releases an additional 15 million euros to support initiatives that fall outside its regular policy areas, to help make a variety of sectors future proof, and to counter the erosion of existing offers. Although Fonds 21 can use Fonds 21 EXTRA to provide emergency support, the priority is to take advantage of the opportunities emerging in the present. With this aim, Fonds 21 is contributing to a present and future in which Dutch audiences can enjoy art and culture, and in which young people can continue to participate in projects that increase their social opportunity.
Vital support
The Rijksmuseum is grateful for all forms of support it receives. More than ever, it is clear that government subsidies, corporate contributions and support from funds, as well as donations, legacies and Friends are, and will remain, essential to the Rijksmuseum.
