Director Mu.ZEE Oostende becomes general director of international art fair TEFAF
Dominique Savelkoul, the director of Mu.ZEE in Ostende is set to embark on a new chapter as the general director of The European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF), which hosts prestigious art fairs in Maastricht and New York. Her departure from Mu.ZEE, confirmed by the museum and first reported by De Standaard, marks the end of a 4.5-year tenure during which she brought significant innovation and revitalisation to the institution.
Savelkoul began at Mu.ZEE just before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Alongside artistic coordinator Joost Declercq, she faced the challenge of steering the museum through unprecedented times. Together, they developed a plan that reshaped the museum's approach.
Under Savelkoul’s leadership, Mu.ZEE underwent a thorough overhaul, with a focus on quality over quantity in its exhibitions. Instead of numerous temporary displays, the museum shifted to hosting fewer but more impactful exhibitions. Significant exhibitions during her term included reviews of prominent artists such as Raoul De Keyser, Maarten Vanden Eynde, Anna Boch and James Ensor, with the standout exhibition Rose, Rose, Rose à mes yeux. Savelkoul also played a pivotal role in the reopening of the Permeke Museum in Jabbeke, further expanding the museum's cultural footprint.
As Savelkoul prepares to transition to TEFAF, she reaffirms that her departure is not related to the ongoing discussions about relocating Mu.ZEE to the Thermae Palace in Ostend, a controversial issue that has drawn considerable attention. "The application had been going on for a long time," Savelkoul explains. "At first I wanted to stay where I was, but after the first interview, it turned out to be attractive. I had missed such an international operation a bit."
Savelkoul’s career has been marked by a series of diverse roles in the cultural sector, maintaining a pattern of changing positions every few years. Her resume includes management roles at the Flanders Festival, the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Gallery in London and the Ruhrtriennale. Additionally, she has served as an advisor in the office of Belgian minister of culture Sven Gatz.
"If you want to know what has happened in Belgium in the past 150 years in the field of art, it is only told there"
When asked about her frequent career changes, Savelkoul reflects on her motivations: "I always seem to make a kind of sideways step. That way, I can continue to look at things without prejudice. I think that's where my need for freedom comes in." This philosophy has allowed her to bring fresh perspectives to each role she has undertaken, ensuring that she approaches challenges with a renewed sense of creativity and openness.
Looking back at her time at Mu.ZEE, Savelkoul offers advice to Belgian politicians regarding the future of the museum. "They should realise that Mu.ZEE is doing well. If you want to know what has happened in Belgium in the past 150 years in the field of art, it is only told there. That story can easily be marketed abroad. Cherish it, give it light and oxygen. Make sure that everyone is strong. That is when that unique mission will come into its own."
#FlandersNewsService | Exhibition Rose, Rose, Rose a mes yeux at Mu.Zee. © BELGA PHOTO KURT DESPLENTER
Related news
