University of Groningen and Rijksmuseum sign cooperation agreement

On Friday 6 June, the University of Groningen (UG) and the Rijksmuseum signed a cooperation agreement. With this agreement, both parties confirm their cooperation on various themes, including the transfer of heritage from generation to generation.

Prof. Jouke de Vries, chair of the UG Board of the University, and Taco Dibbits, general director of the Rijksmuseum, signed the agreement at the Rijksmuseum. As the collaboration is an initiative of the Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society, dean Mladen Popović and professor by special appointment Valika Smeulders were also present.

Chair

In October 2024, Valika Smeulders, head of the History Department at the Rijksmuseum, started as professor by special appointment at the Faculty of Religion, Culture and Society. She holds the chair in Museums, Heritage and Religion. In her role, Smeulders focuses on bringing together knowledge about the Rijksmuseum's collection and heritage that is passed down from generation to generation by society in the broadest sense. She will deliver her inaugural lecture on 3 October 2025.

• Read more about the chair.