Q&A on the changes at the RKD

How do the roles of a knowledge centre and a research institute differ?

A research institute is primarily focused on conducting its own research. A knowledge centre, by contrast, focuses on collecting, managing, enriching, sharing and providing access to resources and knowledge, while supporting the research of others.

We are placing even greater emphasis on managing, enriching and providing access to our unique collections and data, and on facilitating art historical research within national and international networks. High-quality expertise and excellent service to our users are at the heart of this approach.

We are moving from a model in which we publish our own research outputs towards a role as a provider of essential resources for research. Through our knowledge, collections, data and expertise, we support and facilitate research undertaken by others.

Why is the RKD changing its direction?

This strategic shift is necessary to ensure the RKD remains sustainable and financially resilient. By making clear choices, we can safeguard the long-term delivery of our core responsibilities: managing, cataloguing and providing access to art historical sources and knowledge. At the same time, our refined focus enables us to respond more effectively to the evolving needs of the field.

We recognise that the demand for knowledge is changing. Researchers, museums, universities, the art trade and heritage organisations increasingly require accessible data, reliable expertise and robust digital research infrastructure. Within a context of limited financial resources, this calls for clear priorities and innovative solutions.

Through our renewed focus as a knowledge centre, we are strengthening our role as a trusted facilitator, adviser and infrastructure partner.

Why are there no longer any Curators at the RKD?

Traditionally, the role of Curator focused on developing specialist knowledge, documenting collections and undertaking research within a particular field of expertise. In line with our new strategic direction, this role has been replaced by that of Collection Specialist, which brings together specialist subject knowledge and responsibility for enhancing access to collections and data. The emphasis is on developing, enriching and making collections and knowledge accessible.

Many staff members who previously worked as Curators have moved into this new role. As a result, specialist expertise is retained while being deployed even more effectively in the management, enrichment and accessibility of collections and data.

The changes at the RKD also reflect a shift in the nature of our work. Some roles have changed or ceased to exist, while new forms of expertise are increasingly needed, particularly in areas such as digitisation, data management, IT and user services. Our current vacancies reflect this strategic direction and our ambitions for the future.

How does the RKD retain and develop its expertise?

Our expertise remains one of our greatest strengths, but it is now applied in a different way. Whereas research was once central to our activities, our focus is now on knowledge sharing, infrastructure and supporting the wider field. We deploy our expertise in response to the questions and needs of our users. Engagement with professional practice helps us identify where knowledge development, data enrichment and support are most needed.

We safeguard expertise by ensuring that subject knowledge, interpretation and contextualisation remain central to our work. Digitising collections and improving digital infrastructure are not goals in themselves, but means of ensuring that sources and knowledge remain sustainably accessible and can continue to be enriched. We continue to invest in content quality, interpretation and context, and we actively collaborate with researchers and partners to further develop knowledge.

Our eight Collection Specialists play a key role in this. Each has their own area of expertise, ranging from Early Netherlandish and Dutch Art to Modern and Contemporary Art. Together, they also contribute specialist knowledge in fields such as the art market, provenance research, technical art history and Digital Humanities.

An overview of our Collection Specialists, including their contact details, can be found on our staff page.

Is research no longer carried out at the RKD?

Research continues to play an important role at the RKD, but it is now undertaken in a different way and with a different purpose. We no longer conduct individual, long-term research projects. Instead, we focus on research that supports the development and enrichment of our collections and data. This work is carried out by our Collection Specialists and is aimed at further enhancing the quality, accessibility and usability of our collections and data.

Will the RKD remain open to collaboration?

The RKD will continue to play a connecting role within national and international networks of art historical institutions. We are committed to developing collaborative initiatives in areas such as digitisation, access to collections, data exchange and knowledge sharing. We actively engage with researchers, museums, the art trade, universities and heritage organisations. Through these partnerships, we identify where knowledge development and services can deliver the greatest value and have the greatest impact.