Women of the Rijksmuseum
For everyone a story
What traces have women left in Dutch art and history, and how is this visible in the Rijksmuseum collection? This question lies at the heart of the research project Women of the Rijksmuseum, which focuses on improving gender balance within the museum’s collection and presentation.
On 8 March 2021 – International Women’s Day – the project was launched. For the first time in the Rijksmuseum’s history, works by women artists were displayed in the Gallery of Honour. Since then, thanks in part to the Women of the Rijksmuseum Fund, various exhibitions and publications have been produced, acquisitions have been made, symposia have been organized, and countless object labels in the museum galleries have been enriched with storiestold from female perspectives.
WOMEN OF THE RIJKSMUSEUM FUND
On 8 March 2022, the Rijksmuseum, in collaboration with private donors, established the Women of the Rijksmuseum Fund. Since 2023, CHANEL has also joined the project as a partner. The fund supports research, education, publications, and acquisitions aimed at continuously increasing the visibility of women in Dutch art and history.
MISSION & GOALS
The Women of the Rijksmuseum project team strives for equal representation of women in the museum’s presentation and collection and is committed to recognizing the role of women in art and history. In doing so, it acknowledges gender equality and underscores the importance of diversity and inclusion.
Three research themes are central:
- Women makers
- Women in history
- Women in the institutional history of the Rijksmuseum, with special attention to women collectors, donors, patrons, and former staff members
STAFF SUPPORTED BY THE WOMEN OF THE RIJKSMUSEUM FUND
- Marion Anker, Co-Chair Women of the Rijksmuseum and Research Associate
- Laurien van der Werff, Co-Chair Women of the Rijksmuseum and Research Associate
- Ceri-Anne van de Geer, Research Associate Women Donors
- Naomi Bisping, Junior Curator of Applied Arts
- Nathalie Ho-Kang-You, Project Assistant
The project group further includes representatives from various departments within the Rijksmuseum: Fine Arts, History, Print Room, Public & Education, Development, Communication & Marketing, Collections, Exhibitions, and Service & Security.
CONTACT
If you wish to contribute or receive more information about donating, please contact us at schenkingen@rijksmuseum.nl or +31 20 6747 497.
WITH THANKS TO
Women of the Rijksmuseum is made possible by CHANEL, the Susi Zijderveld Fund, the Familie Krouwels Fund, the Machteld Vos & Willem Sijthoff Fund, the Heleen Dura-van Oord Fund, the Kind Courage Monique Maarsen Fund, the Familie Staal Fund, the Karin van Leeuwen Fund, the Dreesmann-Beerkens Fund, the Sofronie Foundation, the Linne & Marijn Pijnenborg Fund, the Jolanda Degen Fund, the Lara Timmerman Fund, the Antoinette Rolloos Hueber Fund, the Hendrikje Crebolder Fund, Amy Novogratz & Mike Velings, the Femke Dijkhuis Fund, the Bianca van Galen Fund, the Haboldt-Pianetti Fund, Jenny Reynaerts, the Sandra Swelheim Fund and the Women of the Rijksmuseum Fund.
