Search

Job offer

Flanders Architecture Institute seeks new director

The Flanders Architecture Institute is seeking a new artistic-general director to lead its team.

Flanders Archtiecture Team (image: Franky Verdickt)

Flanders Architecture Institue (VAi)

The VAi is the reference for architectural culture in Flanders and Brussels. We raise public awareness of the importance of a well-designed living environment, stimulate social debate on the design of buildings/cities, and disseminate knowledge about architecture. Located in De Singel in Antwerp, we organise exhibitions, lectures, debates, publications and events, such as the biannual Flanders Architectural Review and the Festival of Architecture. Furthermore, the organisation represents Flanders at international events, such as the Venice Architecture Biennale. It is also embedded in a global network of architecture institutes.

The VAi manages an extremely rich and ever-expanding collection of architectural archives. It enables us to bridge the present, past and future of architecture. The VAi also plays an active role in caring for cultural heritage in the broadest sense of the term, be it a chair or the city. We map this heritage, give advice and disseminate information to a broad audience via publications and exhibitions.

What is the VAi?
Expo 'Marie Jose Van Hee. A Walk' (image Dieter Daniels)

The job

  • As artistic-general director, you ensure delivery of the VAi’s mission and vision.
  • You develop a long-term artistic vision for both the cultural heritage work and the VAi’s contemporary operations. To this end, you work closely with the staff responsible for the VAi Collection, the VAi Knowledge Centre and the activities around contemporary architecture. You have final artistic responsibility for these three sub-activities.
  • You ensure that the VAi is a significant national and international player, stimulating and representing the architectural culture of Flanders and Brussels.
  • You maintain good contacts and forge collaborations with important players in the field of architecture (culture) at home and abroad, ranging from architecture schools, government architects[HS1] , publishers and architecture presentation venues.
  • You have your finger on the pulse of the contemporary architectural debate and the field of architectural archives, both at home and abroad. You ensure that the artistic workings of the VAi remain at the forefront.
  • You make the Arts and Cultural Heritage Decree your own and ensure that the VAi strengthens its position within this framework and is able to achieve its mission.
  • You have final responsibility for the artistic and financial policies established by the VAi within the framework of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Decree.
  • You ensure that the organisation’s business policy is sound. You safeguard the organisation’s financial health, have final responsibility for the HR policy, and think strategically about the organisation’s future accommodation. You will work closely with the business coordinator on these objectives. Alongside the team, you translate these ideas into workplace operations.
  • You report to the governing body and the general meeting.
As Found, Flanders Architecture Institute in DE SINGEL © Stijn Bollaert

Profile

  • You have a strong affinity for, and extensive experience in, the architectural field. This could be as an educator, practitioner, author, curator, or in another type of role.
  • You have at least 5 years’ managerial experience in a design practice, in education or the cultural sector.
  • You think strategically in artistic and business terms and can translate your vision into concrete cultural and heritage projects, as well as into the organisational structure.
  • You have a solid national and international network within the architectural culture and/or heritage sector, or you are willing to grow this network.
  • You have a master’s degree.
  • Writing skills and an understanding of medium-sized cultural organisations, from a managerial perspective, are plus points.
  • You have leadership qualities and excel at people management. Experience in leading self-managing teams is advantageous.
De Singel (image Eline Ros)

We offer

  • A full-time contract of 6 years, renewable once. The contract can begin without delay.
  • A salary in accordance with the Paritair Comité 329 pay scales.
  • Meal vouchers, end-of-year bonus, commuting expenses reimbursement (in line with the current legislation), collective insurance, telephone, hospitalisation insurance.
  • A flexible workplace in a growing organisation within an exciting cultural environment.
  • A challenging professional field in the throes of artistic and social evolution.
  • A committed, enthusiastic and highly experienced in-house team.

How to apply?

Each application will be treated with the utmost discretion.

Candidates should address Ms Inge Vervotte, president of the Flanders Architecture Institute. Please send your application (CV of max. 3 pages and motivation of max. 2 pages) and any questions to candice.brouhon@vai.be.

The deadline to apply is 8 December 2023.