Museum Cobra Welcomes Suzanne Wallinga as New General Director
Museum Cobra is excited to announce the appointment of Suzanne Wallinga as its new General Director, starting on October 1, 2024. Together with Financial Director Cor Dinkgreve, Wallinga will lead the museum into a new chapter, reinforcing its dedication to modern and contemporary art with her innovative vision and leadership.
About Suzanne Wallinga
Suzanne Wallinga is a seasoned curator and strategic advisor with a deep commitment to the arts. As co-founder and former director of A Tale of a Tub in Rotterdam, she commissioned works from renowned artists like Shezad Dawood, Ruth Buchanan, and Igshaan Adams. Her work often explored how art engages with social, political, and ecological issues.
Wallinga has also served as an advisor to various prestigious institutions, including Sonsbeek, Stroom The Hague, and De Brakke Grond, the Flemish Arts Centre in Amsterdam. Additionally, she held board positions at the Stedelijk Museum Schiedam and Shimmer in Rotterdam.
Her career includes significant roles such as interim director of Amsterdam Art and artistic director of TAG in The Hague. She has curated exhibitions for leading museums like the Kröller-Müller Museum and the Frans Hals Museum. Wallinga’s curatorial practice frequently intersects with philosophy and community engagement, and her projects often expand into performances, publications, and public programs.
About Museum Cobra
Founded in 1995, Museum Cobra in Amstelveen is dedicated to preserving the legacy of the avant-garde Cobra movement. Active between 1948 and 1951, this movement reshaped European art through experimentation and collaboration. The museum houses an extensive collection of works by Cobra artists such as Karel Appel, Constant, and Sonja Ferlov Mancoba. In addition to honoring the Cobra movement, the museum fosters connections between the movement’s radical spirit and contemporary art practices, engaging a broad audience through exhibitions, education, and cultural exchange.
Wallinga’s Vision for Museum Cobra
Suzanne Wallinga’s leadership brings a new energy and focus to Museum Cobra. With her vast experience in artistic direction and institutional strategy, she aligns perfectly with the museum’s mission to bridge modern and contemporary art with socially engaged practices. Her vision emphasizes making art accessible to diverse communities and continuing the museum’s role as a hub for cultural exchange.
“The Supervisory Board is thrilled to welcome Suzanne Wallinga as General Director,” said Jerry Straub, Chairman of the Supervisory Board. “Her unique perspective on modern and contemporary art, along with her entrepreneurial approach, will bring fresh ideas and momentum to Museum Cobra.”
Suzanne Wallinga on Her New Role
Wallinga is equally enthusiastic about the journey ahead. “I’m excited to join Museum Cobra and work alongside the talented team here,” she said. “This is an important moment to further develop the museum’s role as a space for inspiration, exchange, and connection. Art has the power to foster dialogue and deepen our understanding of the world around us, which is especially relevant today. I look forward to collaborating with artists, partners, and the community to build on the museum’s legacy and shape its future potential.”
With Wallinga at the helm, Museum Cobra is poised to continue evolving as a dynamic space where art sparks conversation and enriches lives.
