Kirsten van den Hul to become new director of DutchCulture

Van den Hul is a passionate and experienced professional in the cultural and diplomatic domain. Arthur van Dijk, chair of DutchCulture’s Supervisory Board, responds to the appointment: “I am very pleased that Kirsten is joining our organisation. Her profile perfectly fits the responsibilities and ambitions of DutchCulture, with the right combination of knowledge of the cultural field and experience in the political domain. This will help her forge durable connections with our target groups and stakeholders, ranging from makers and organisations in the sector to the worldwide network of diplomatic missions and various Dutch government bodies. With these connecting qualities, Kirsten will strengthen our organisation and help us develop further internally.”

Kirsten Van den Hul is looking forward to assuming her new position. “Art and culture are like oxygen, they help us breathe, they give air. Especially in these turbulent times, the power of culture is of inestimable value for an interconnected world where there is room for reflection, imagination, and a sense of wonder. I previously worked in the political and civil sectors to promote international cultural collaboration, and it is a great honour for me to now become the director of DutchCulture. It is an organisation that I have come to appreciate throughout the years as a hub of knowledge and connections in the field of international cultural exchange. I very much look forward to working with our partners and with makers and of course with the DutchCulture team to further develop the power of culture, worldwide.”

DutchCulture’s new director is an experienced culture professional and manager. Before joining DutchCulture she worked as a supervisor and an independent consultant through her own company, The Change Agent, focusing specifically on the public sector. Van den Hul was also a member of parliament on behalf of the PvdA, serving as a spokesperson for culture, education, emancipation, foreign trade and development cooperation. She also worked at the Cultuurfabriek/Pakhuis De Zwijger, the European Cultural Foundation and the Fund for Central and East European Book Projects. Van den Hul lived, studied and worked in Tunisia and has extensive work experience in Eastern Europe. She also used to perform domestically and internationally as a spoken word artist.

Van den Hul will be managing and working with the DutchCulture management team, comprising the team heads Emma van Oudheusden (Finance & Organisation), Marcel Feil (International Cultural Policy), Jelle Burggraaff (Mobility & Advice) and Jeroen van Waardenberg (Communication & Marketing).