The new curator has a bachelor's degree in Philosophy and a master's degree in Art Policy & Patronage from Radboud University. Within the broad field of art and culture, Barbara has held various positions; for example, as an advisor and researcher on accessibility and inclusion at the Van Abbe Museum in Eindhoven. In addition, she has interviewed artists and written on subjects such as visual arts and art policy. She has been a curator at UM’s Studium Generale and is a member of the advisory committee of the Limburg Film Office.

The selection committee consisted of the chair and members of the Advisory Board of the UM Art and Heritage Committee and several UM heritage curators. The committee was impressed with Barbara's organisational skills and ability to connect with different stakeholders, as well as her knowledge of art and her large professional network within the art world which includes organisations, artists, foundations and governments.

New experiences

Art reflects its surroundings, in critical and complementary ways, and can therefore make a qualitative contribution to the work and study environment at UM. The basis for the development of the UM collection is that art is experimental, pioneering and challenging. Through both content and passion, it is expected that Barbara will further develop the collection to create new experiences with art, culture and science.

Barbara Strating: ‘Over the past four years, I have come to know Maastricht University as an inspiring and ambitious place to work. I am really looking forward to working with the various faculties and service centres to further build the university's art collection. The collection is fascinating and of high quality. Additionally, I find the relationship between the arts and science very interesting and want to explore this further and, where possible, facilitate crossovers. UM's interdisciplinary approach to education and research, with an eye for diversity, is a perfect starting point for this.’