Ina Klaassen, director of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, has died

Ina Klaassen, the director of the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, has passed away at the age of 57 following an illness. She had previously announced her serious illness in May and stepped down from her duties.

Klaassen held the position of director since 2019, initially serving alongside Sjarel Ex until 2022. Her tenure was defined by the significant renovation of the museum and the construction of the Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, the world’s first publicly accessible art depot. Colleagues have described her as the ‘driving force’ behind the museum’s renewal.

Her career began in Stadskanaal as an arts and culture policy advisor. She later served as the director of the Willem de Kooning Academy in Rotterdam from 2011 to 2013 before joining the Boijmans. In recognition of her impact on Rotterdam’s cultural landscape, she was awarded the ‘De Rotterdammert’ city medal in August.