Facebook and Twitter have become so entrenched in daily life that generations are growing up that only seem able to communicate via their screens. Personal contact between people is dying out, making the world a poorer place. At least that’s what the pessimists among us think. And maybe they’re right to a certain extent. But if, like me, you have something you want to say to lots of people at once, then those modern media are extremely useful.
And I have indeed got something to say. To all the fans and supporters of the Dutch National Ballet. And to all the colleagues and staff of the ballet company and of The Amsterdam Music Theatre.
That is – I’m leaving.
Just two more months, and then I will be starting something new. Then I will become Managing Director of Rijksmuseum Volkenkunde, in Leiden.
For four years, I’ve had the pleasure of leading the Dutch National Ballet with Ted. It was a great time and I really enjoyed working with him and with my other colleagues. We brought out the best in each other. And what a great job it was to be managing director. But soon that job won’t exist any more, as the Dutch National Ballet is merging with De Nederlandse Opera and The Amsterdam Music Theatre from 1 January 2013. And then there will be a new organisational structure with no place for a managing director of the ballet company.
Of course, I’d seen it coming for some time already, as the decision to merge was taken long ago. So I could also have decided to leave earlier. But I wanted to leave the organisation with an easy mind. And that is now the case. The financial results for 2011 are excellent, the foundation’s assets are sound, there is a strong policy plan for 2013-2016, the preparations for the merger are well underway and the new Managing Director for the merged organisation has been appointed. So it’s a good time to follow a new path.
I’m really looking forward to Museum Volkenkunde. It’s a wonderful institute with a strong reputation in the Netherlands and abroad, and with great social significance. After seventeen years in Amsterdam and twenty years in the performing arts, I’m continuing my career in a new city and a new sector. Exciting and enriching.
Of course I’ll still be taking leave in person. Because although such a blog is useful to deliver this message, it isn’t enough for thanking everyone – for their inspiring collaboration, for their confidence in me and for their support. And for everything that the Dutch National Ballet and The Amsterdam Music Theatre have meant to me – which is a great deal! So I’ll continue to enjoy it to the full during the coming two months.
> blog archive