The Netherlands Chamber Choir (Nederlands Kamerkoor (NKK)), a leading Dutch cultural institution and one of the world’s foremost professional chamber choirs, is seeking a visionary Artistic Director to shape its next chapter.
Based in Utrecht, the NKK is celebrated for its exceptional vocal quality, daring programming, and innovative collaborations that bridge early polyphony, contemporary commissions, and interdisciplinary projects. With its 90th anniversary approaching in 2027 and the 10th anniversary of the acclaimed NKK NXT young-talent programme, the ensemble is poised to honour its rich legacy while shaping the future of choral music.
The Artistic Director will:
> Develop and deliver a compelling artistic vision that builds on the NKK’s distinctive identity.
> Curate balanced and innovative programmes in collaboration with the Chief Conductor and partners.
> Provide visible artistic leadership to the singers and staff, fostering a collaborative and professional culture.
> Engage in co-creation with diverse institutions to strengthen both national presence and international profile.
> Oversee talent scouting and development, maintaining a high-calibre artistic network.
> Work closely with the Managing Director to align artistic ambition with financial and operational sustainability.
> Act as a credible ambassador to audiences, partners, and funders.
The successful candidate will ideally embody many of the following qualities and experiences:
> Senior artistic leadership in a recognised ensemble or cultural institution, safeguarding core choral excellence while advancing focused innovation.
> People leadership of professional artists, able to set standards, build cohesion, and address tensions in an employed ensemble context.
> Proven season programming that balances core repertoire and new work, translating ideas to stage at a consistently high artistic level.
> Collaborative leadership with the Managing Director and effective cooperation with the Chief Conductor, marked by humility, shared ownership, and no silos.
> Robust national and international network; credible external representation and affinity with the Dutch cultural landscape.
> Strong commitment and experience in fostering diversity, inclusion, and community outreach within artistic programming.
> Strategic planning that aligns artistic vision with organisational sustainability and audience relevance.
> Fluency in English (essential); proficiency in Dutch or willingness to learn is highly desirable.
Perrett Laver is supporting the Selection Committee in identifying and assessing a broad pool of qualified candidates for the role. Informal questions can be directed to Jess Winfield at +31 (0)202 404 375 or by email at jess.winfield@perrettlaver.com.
Applications can be uploaded at the Perrett Laver portal, quoting reference number 7999.
The closing date for applications is Friday, 26th September 2025, at 9:00 CEST.
The Selection Committee will meet in October to decide on a shortlist of candidates. Shortlisted candidates will subsequently be invited for formal interviews in October and November. Selection of, and negotiations with, the preferred candidate will take place thereafter. The Supervisory Board and the organisation aim for the Artistic Director to take up the position in January 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.
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