DutchCulture to appoint new director as of 1 January 2026

DutchCulture, the Dutch platform for international cultural cooperation, will have a new director as of 1 January 2026. The Supervisory Board has appointed Jelle Burggraaff, currently Head of Mobility & Advice, as the successor to Kirsten van den Hul. After more than three years, Van den Hul will hand over the leadership in good consultation, marking the beginning of the next phase for the organisation.

Burggraaff has worked at DutchCulture since 2021. He led the modernisation of the Creative Europe Desk NL, TransArtists, and the Mobility Info Point; each with attention to the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. Previously, he served as Head of International Cultural Cooperation at Leeuwarden-Fryslân 2018, European Capital of Culture, and as Chairman of the Board of Opera Spanga. In addition, he will remain a member of the European Commission’s expert panel for European Capitals of Culture until the end of this year.

After more than three years, Kirsten van den Hul is stepping down as Director of DutchCulture. Under her leadership, the organisation evolved from being opportunity-driven to mission-driven, with a sharper profile and stronger position in the field. She introduced a clear focus on urgent themes within the international cultural sector, such as decolonisation, sustainability, and democratisation, and laid the groundwork for a close collaboration with the City of Amsterdam.

Arthur van Dijk, Chair of the Supervisory Board, said: “We are deeply grateful to Kirsten for the course she set under challenging circumstances. She has given DutchCulture a clearer and more distinctive profile. With Jelle Burggraaff, we have every confidence that the organisation will continue along this path and be well prepared for the next phase.”

Van den Hul commented: “I’m proud of what we’ve achieved together. In a time of significant budget cuts in international cultural policy, I feel it is my responsibility to make space for new leadership. The coming period will be one of consolidation, which calls for a different kind of governance. I hand over the baton to Jelle with full confidence.”

Burggraaff added: “I am honoured by this trust. DutchCulture has made important strides in recent years. I look forward to working with our team, our partners, and our national, local, and European stakeholders to further strengthen the power of culture and support makers in international collaboration. Our 2025–2028 activity plan will serve as our guiding compass.”

In the coming months, Van den Hul and Burggraaff will ensure a careful transition, enabling DutchCulture to enter the next phase with continuity and confidence as of 1 January 2026. Following Van den Hul, and also in mutual agreement, Marcel Feil, Head of International Cultural Policy & Coordination, will step down from his position on the same date.

DutchCulture will continue with a smaller and more agile management team, consisting of Director Jelle Burggraaff, Head of Finance & Organisation Emma van Oudheusden, and Head of Advice & Development Jeroen van Waardenberg.