Curator of Costume

Research and Presentations

The collection is particularly strong in eighteenth- and nineteenth-century objects. The holdings relating to the twentieth and twenty-first centuries are in development.

As Curator, you will have a clear vision of the significance and future of the costume collection, both within the context of the Rijksmuseum and in a broader national and international museum perspective. You will help shape its identity and profile. 

You will play a key role in conducting research into the collection, proposing acquisitions, and contributing to exhibitions and collection displays. 

Key Responsibilities

As Curator of Costume you serve as the ambassador for the costume collection, both within the Rijksmuseum and beyond. You are able to accurately situate objects within their specific art-historical context and share your knowledge enthusiastically with specialist colleagues and general audiences alike. 

• You will steward the costume and accessories collection, overseeing its registration, documentation, access and preservation, in close collaboration with the Object Conservation team and the storage team at the Collection Centre Netherlands (CC NL).
• In close collaboration with the Object Conservation team and researchers within the Conservation & Science department, you will develop research projects and contribute to the development of a sustainable conservation strategy.
• You will undertake scholarly research into the collection and disseminate your findings through publications, lectures and presentations, thereby contributing to the educational, art-historical and societal significance of the costume collection.
• You will initiate and prepare rotating displays of the collection in close collaboration with the textile conservators and the Curators of Textiles and Jewelry.
• You will contribute to and represent the Department of Decorative Arts in museum-wide initiatives, including the reinterpretation of the permanent collection display, the Women of the Rijksmuseum working group, and collaborate with departments such as Public & Education, Development, and Communications & Marketing.
• You will maintain an international network across museum and academic communities. You will cultivate relationships with collectors and stay informed about developments in the art market, enabling you to propose acquisitions for the collection. 

Working for the Rijksmuseum

You will be part of a team of eight Curators of Decorative Arts and work closely with curators from the departments of Fine Arts, History and the Print Room. Drawing on your expertise, you will contribute to the museum’s broader display and collecting strategies. 

You will also work closely with the three textile conservators within the Object Conservation team on collection management, object treatment and the preparation of rotating displays. 

What will you contribute?

As Curator of Costume, you are an experienced professional with a wide network, which you actively draw on to advance research into and presentation of the collection. You are an object-focused researcher as well as a versatile museum professional who enjoys contributing to department-wide themes and initiatives. 

• You are recognized as an expert in the field, with a proven ability to communicate that knowledge to various audiences;
• You hold an academic degree in art history (minimum M.A. level);
• You have substantial experience as an Assistant Curator or Curator in the field of costume;
• You have experience in developing displays and exhibitions, as well as publishing catalogues, books and articles in leading scholarly journals;
• You have an excellent command of Dutch (or are willing to learn) and English.

What will you get in return?

You will be given the chance to work in – and behind the scenes of – a leading, internationally oriented museum, together with dedicated specialists. In addition, we offer:

• A gross salary of €4532,00 to €6268,00 (Schaal 12 of the collective agreement for museums) per month, based on a 36-hour working week;
• 8% holiday bonus and 3.4% year-end bonus;
• A fixed-term contract of 36 hours for 1 year with the intent to extend;
• Full public transport allowance (up to €367,50) if commuting further than 5 km. Any expenses for secure bicycle storage at the station are also fully reimbursed. If you commute entirely by bicycle or on foot, you will receive €0.21 per kilometre. Costs for secure bicycle parking at stations are also reimbursed;
• After your probation period, you will receive a Netherlands Museum Pass, offering unlimited access to more than 450 museums in the Netherlands. And you can always bring one guest to the Rijksmuseum for free (during opening hours);
• Participation in various events and sports activities, such as the Rijksrun and our summer and winter parties.

Enthusiastic?

Then don’t wait and submit your application before the closing date of 23rd August. This is how the application process will be managed:

We warmly welcome applications from all interested candidates. If you require additional support during the application process, please let us know, we are happy to assist. 

1. Upon receipt of your CV and motivation letter, we will carefully review your application.
2. If we see a strong match, we will invite you for an initial interview on 3rd of September. We look forward to learning more about you, your experience and what appeals to you about this position.
3. If the first interview is successful, you will be invited for a second interview on 24th of September. As part of this stage, we may ask you to complete a short assignment during the interview process.
4. If we are mutually enthusiastic, we will make you an offer. *An assessment will form part of the recruitment procedure.

Do you have any questions? Femke Diercks is happy to answer them. 

Please note that we only process applications submitted through the Rijksmuseum website. Unfortunately, applications sent by email cannot be considered.