The varied, high-contrast programme of exhibitions and events, is described under Flexible and Rich in Contrast and Exhibitions 2016. Our many collaborations with a host of local, national and international partners have led to an exciting and dynamic year. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the institutions, companies, artists, creative minds and guest curators who have made that possible. ‘Mapping the Kunsthal’ illustrates the numerous partners the Kunsthal collaborated with in 2016.

A lot of time was invested in discussions with our most important stakeholder, the municipality of Rotterdam, as this was also the year in which they advised and decided about subsidies for the Rotterdam cultural field for the coming four years. The Kunsthal was happy to receive a favourable recommendation and to an important degree our urgent request for more funding, especially aimed at reinforcing our team, was granted. In anticipation of the final decision, and in keeping with our general strategy, we already decided to invest in new staff members in 2016.

To conclude, the Kunsthal team took the time to further develop its strategy for the coming five years and attune it to the institution’s various departments. In doing so, they opted for a more strategy-led organisation with an emphasis on participation, involvement, stewardship, perception and experience. The team has been strengthened and completed in some crucial positions. Also, a number of vacancies were filled due to the natural outflow of staff. Find out more under the header Organisation.

My compliments go out to the Kunsthal team, the temps and our public officers who jointly succeeded in making 2016 a successful year. Their achievements are described in this annual report.

Emily Ansenk, director of the Kunsthal Rotterdam