Lidewij de Koekkoek

Lidewij de Koekkoek
Born	1963 (age 61–62)
Nationality	Dutch
Alma mater	Leiden University
Occupation(s)	Art historian, museum director

Lidewij de Koekkoek (born 1963) is a Dutch art historian and museum director, known for her leadership roles in several prominent Dutch museums, including the Rembrandt House Museum and the Frans Hals Museum. ^{[1] [2]}

Education and early career

De Koekkoek studied art history at Leiden University in the Netherlands. She began her career in contemporary art and architecture before transitioning to the heritage sector. Her early professional experiences include positions at the Dutch Textile Museum in Tilburg, the Netherlands Architecture Institute in Rotterdam, and the Dordrecht council.

Directorships

Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar (2008–2016)

In 2008, Lidewij de Koekkoek was appointed director of the Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar. During her tenure, she oversaw the museum's privatization, a major renovation, and a comprehensive rebranding strategy. The museum increasingly focused on presenting both old masters and modern art, establishing itself as a key regional institution in the Dutch museum landscape.

Rembrandt House Museum (2016–2022)

In October 2016, de Koekkoek became General Director of the Rembrandt House Museum (Museum Het Rembrandthuis) in Amsterdam. ^[3] She introduced a renewed artistic direction centered on Rembrandt's life, art, and social context. Under her leadership, the museum organized several high-profile exhibitions, including:

• Glenn Brown (2017)
• Ferdinand Bol & Govert Flinck (2018) ^{[4] [5]}
• Rembrandt's Social Network (2019)

De Koekkoek also championed diversity and inclusion, forging partnerships with initiatives such as *Musea Bekennen Kleur* and engaging with the international program *OFBYFOR ALL* to increase community participation and institutional accessibility. ^[6]

Frans Hals Museum (2022–present)

In March 2022, de Koekkoek was appointed managing director of the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem, succeeding Ann Demeester. ^[7] She expressed enthusiasm for leading an institution that unites old, modern, and contemporary art within a single curatorial vision. ^{[8] [9]}

Her vision includes enhancing the museum's societal relevance by addressing contemporary issues such as canon diversification and the inclusion of polyphonic historical narratives. ^[10]

Professional focus and affiliations

Throughout her career, de Koekkoek has prioritized engaging diverse audiences with art, architecture, and cultural heritage. Her leadership has consistently emphasized inclusivity, accessibility, and the expansion of traditional art historical narratives within museum settings. ^[11]

She has been an active member of CODART, the international network for curators of Dutch and Flemish art, since 2009, contributing to the organization's mission of fostering scholarly exchange and international collaboration. ^[12]

References

1. "Lidewij de Koekkoek appointed new Director of Frans Hals Museum". ArtDaily. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
2. Prent, Noémi (26 October 2024). "Eindelijk een depot voor de 18.000 werken van het Frans Hals Museum: 'Nood was hoog'". Haarlem105. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
3. "Lidewij de Koekkoek nieuwe directeur Het Rembrandthuis". Het Parool. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
4. "Exhibitions in Rembrandt House Museum". WhichMuseum. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
5. "Stichting Museum Het Rembrandthuis Jaarverslag 2017" (PDF). Rembrandthuis.nl. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
6. "Lidewij de Koekkoek: 'Ik kan me nog steeds niet hechten in Haarlem'". Het Parool. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
7. "Lidewij de Koekkoek nieuwe directeur Frans Hals Museum". NRC. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
8. "Kijk terug: Lidewij de Koekkoek over het toekomstbestendig maken van het Frans Hals Museum". Haarlem105. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
9. "Frans Hals Museum verhuist 18.000 kunstwerken naar duurzaam depot". NH Nieuws. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
10. "Lidewij de Koekkoek volgt Ann Demeester op als directeur van Frans Hals Museum". Haarlems Dagblad. Retrieved 2025-01-01.
11. "Lidewij de Koekkoek nieuwe algemeen directeur van het Frans Hals Museum". Vereniging van Nederlandse Kunsthistorici. 16 December 2021. Retrieved 2025-04-29.
12. "Lidewij de Koekkoek appointed new Director of the Rembrandt House Museum". CODART. Retrieved 2025-01-01.