MANCHESTER, NH.- The Currier Museum of Art announces the endowment of its Senior Curator position by prominent philanthropists and collectors of seventeenth-century Dutch art, Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo—the first endowed position in the museum's history as it approaches its centenary in 2029.

The endowment—transformative in both its scope and long-term vision—will support the leadership, research, and programming essential to the museum's curatorial vision for generations to come, enabling deep engagement with the collection, groundbreaking exhibitions, and scholarly contributions that advance the field of art history.

"Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo have been extraordinary partners to the Currier for many years," said Jordana Pomeroy, Director and CEO of the Currier. "Their generosity extends far beyond financial support. They have shared their remarkable collection and their passion for making Dutch art accessible."

Longtime Currier supporters, the Van Otterloos have lent dozens of works from their distinguished collection, including masterworks by Peter Paul Rubens, Jan Steen, and other Dutch Golden Age painters. These loans have enabled the museum to organize focused exhibitions illuminating aspects of Dutch art rarely explored in American museums.

For example, View of Olinda, Brazil with Ruins of the Jesuit Church, a 17th-century painting by Dutch Master Frans Post, is currently the centerpiece of a timely installation at the Currier called Seeing Empire and the Masking of Violence. The show places historic representations of colonialism alongside contemporary explorations of identity to ask questions about point of view, power, and beauty.

"We have witnessed firsthand how exceptional curatorial vision can transform works of art into powerful stories that resonate with audiences," said Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo. "The Currier's curatorial team, and particularly Dr. Sundstrom, have consistently demonstrated the scholarship, creativity, and dedication necessary to illuminate art in ways that are both intellectually rigorous and deeply engaging."

Amidst an evolving funding landscape for the arts at both the state and federal levels, philanthropy at this scale makes a generational impact on the sustainability of New Hampshire’s cultural infrastructure.

"By endowing the Senior Curator position, the van Otterloos are investing in the intellectual leadership that drives everything we do, from exhibitions to education to scholarship," says Thomas Silvia, President of the Board of Trustees. "Their gift acknowledges the Currier as both a globally recognized institution and a vital community asset."