AMSTERDAM.- The Supervisory Board of the Van Gogh Museum has appointed Mark Minkman as interim Managing Director of the museum. Minkman will assume his position on 1 January 2021 and succeeds Adriaan Dönszelmann, who starts in his new role on the Board of MBO College Zuidoost on the same day.

Mark Minkman (56) is a consultant at Andersson Elffers Felix (AEF), and is currently interim Director of the Stichting Regionale Publieke Omroep on behalf of AEF. Minkman previously spent seven years as Director of Paradiso Amsterdam, and between 2005 and 2013, was Financial Director of the VARA broadcasting corporation. Minkman: ‘I am very much looking forward to working together with Emilie Gordenker to help effectively guide the Van Gogh Museum in a period in which the museum is facing extraordinary challenges’.

Background
At the VARA, Minkman was responsible for the broadcasting corporation’s finances, asset management and commercial activities, and was also a member of the Board. At Paradiso Amsterdam, Minkman was in charge of all events organised by the music venue. Under his leadership, attendance grew considerably, and Minkman was also instrumental in successfully raising the profile of the Tolhuistuin cultural centre (Paradiso Noord), located in the Amsterdam District of Noord. Minkman also developed and launched numerous strategies and experimental initiatives to attract new audiences.

Role at the Van Gogh Museum
In his temporary role as Managing Director of the Van Gogh Museum, Minkman will be responsible for the divisions and departments of Van Gogh Museum Enterprises, the Staff Office, Finance & Control, HR and Operations. The museum plans to appoint a permanent Managing Director in 2021. Emilie Gordenker, Director of the Van Gogh Museum: ‘We are delighted to welcome someone of Mark Minkman’s calibre as a director, especially in these challenging times. His extensive experience as a director and board member in the public and cultural sectors will be a great addition to the Van Gogh Museum in the coming period. I look forward to working with Mark as we set our sights firmly on the future’.