Senior Curator
Working in a unique location in the heart of Amsterdam
Room for independent contribution
1 fte/36 hours per week
The Jewish Museum in Amsterdam is part of the Jewish Cultural Quarter, a leading European institution dedicated to Jewish art, history, religion, and culture. With a rich and diverse collection, an ambitious exhibition program, and a strong international network, the museum plays a central role in documenting, interpreting, and presenting Jewish life in the Netherlands and beyond.
To strengthen our curatorial team, we are seeking an experienced and visionary Senior Curator with an international profile.
About the role
The Senior Curator provides intellectual and artistic leadership for the museum’s collections and exhibitions. Responsibilities include research, acquisitions, collecting strategies, and, most importantly, the development of innovative exhibitions and public programs that resonate locally, nationally, and internationally.
A key responsibility of this role is to contribute to the renewal and re-envisioning of the museum’s permanent displays, ensuring that they reflect current scholarship, contemporary perspectives, and the diversity of Jewish life.
The ideal candidate combines scholarly expertise with curatorial creativity and is able to translate complex histories into accessible, engaging narratives for diverse audiences.
Collection Stewardship
- Oversee the development of the museum’s collection of Jewish art, ritual objects, historical materials, and contemporary works.
- Identify opportunities for acquisitions and collection growth in line with
institutional priorities. - Supervise interns and junior curators.
Exhibitions & Public Programs
- Conceptualize and curate both major and smaller exhibitions, including international collaborations and traveling shows.
- Develop interpretive strategies that connect Jewish history and culture to contemporary issues.
- Work closely with designers, communications staff, educators, and community partners to create inclusive and innovative visitor experiences.
- Represent the museum at conferences, symposia, and public events.
Permanent Collection Displays
- Contribute to the renewal, reinterpretation, and redesign of the museum’s permanent exhibitions.
- Integrate new research, contemporary perspectives, and innovative storytelling methods into the permanent displays.
- Collaborate with internal and external experts to ensure historical accuracy,
inclusivity, and relevance.
Community & International Engagement
- Collaborate with Jewish communities, cultural institutions, and academic partners in the Netherlands and abroad.
- Strengthen the museum’s international profile through partnerships, loans, and joint research projects.
- Contribute to the museum’s mission of fostering dialogue, understanding, and cultural exchange.
Research & Scholarship
- Conduct original research on Jewish art, culture, and history.
- Publish in academic journals, exhibition catalogues, and museum publications.
- Maintain and expand the museum’s international scholarly network.
Required
- PhD or Master’s degree in Art History, Museum Studies, Cultural Heritage, or a related field.
- Sound knowledge of Jewish art, culture, religion, and history.
- Minimum of 5–7 years of curatorial experience in a museum of national or international standing.
- Demonstrated expertise in Jewish history, culture, or material heritage.
- Proven track record in developing exhibitions and publishing scholarly work.
- Experience with collection management systems.
- Excellent command of English; willingness to learn Dutch if not already proficient.
Preferred
- Experience working with Jewish museums or Jewish cultural institutions.
- Familiarity with contemporary Jewish culture and global Jewish networks.
- Additional languages (especially Hebrew) are an asset.
- Experience with digital collections, online exhibitions, or new media.
- A prominent role within one of Europe’s most respected Jewish museums, as part of the curatorial and exhibitions team.
- Opportunities for international collaboration and research.
- A dynamic, collegial working environment in the heart of Amsterdam.
- Support for professional development, conferences, and publications.
- The opportunity to shape the future of Jewish cultural heritage in the Netherlands.
- Employment conditions in accordance with scale 11 of the CAO Museum
- 27 days of annual leave per year (based on a 36-hour work week)
Interested?
Please submit your CV, a letter of motivation, and two examples of curatorial or scholarly work to personeelszaken@jck.nl under the mention of Application for Senior curator before june 14.
Shortlisted candidates may be invited to present a curatorial vision for a future exhibition at the Jewish Museum in Amsterdam
