The RKD completes its reorganisation and continues to build for the future

With the transition from research institute to knowledge centre we are even more strongly focused on managing, enriching and making our unique collection and data accessible, as well as facilitating art-historical research. High-quality knowledge, digital innovation and user services are central to this. 

Following these developments, the role of Curator has made redundant within the organisation. Unfortunately, we have had to part ways with a few colleagues. A considerable number of former Curators have been reassigned to new roles within the RKD. This has ensured that their valuable knowledge has been retained within the organisation and remains available to users. As Collection Specialist, each with their own area of expertise, they are responsible for developing, maintaining and sharing knowledge about the collection. 

We continue to grow, enrich, and make the collection accessible, both physically and digitally. As a knowledge centre, we aim to respond to the needs of the art history sector: researchers, museums, universities, the art trade and heritage organisations. Their needs help us determine where and how we should further develop our knowledge, collection, data and services.  

 In the coming years, we will accelerate the implementation of our digital ambitions. We are working towards a fully digitally searchable archive and library collection, the digitisation of relevant archives into sustainable, high-quality data, and closer alignment with developments within the Digital Humanities. To realise these ambitions, we are actively investing in new technologies and digital innovation. 

Together with our current and future partners, both in the Netherlands and abroad, we will continue to strengthen the art-historical knowledge infrastructure. In doing so, we are focusing on joint projects relating to digitisation, collection access, data exchange and knowledge sharing.  

The reorganisation was a difficult but necessary step. Thanks to the dedication, commitment and expertise of our staff, we can now look ahead and work towards an organisation that will be able to continue fulfilling its social mission in the future.  Whether you’re a researcher, or work at a museum, art dealer, heritage organisation or university, the RKD will continue to make knowledge, collections and data available to support your work and research. 

You’ll find further information and answers to several frequently asked questions in the comprehensive Q&A section. 

We’ll keep you updated on the latest developments via our news articles.