Klaartje Esch | Managing director

Klaartje started working at Kunstpodium T in 2016, when she started as project coordinator. Since 2017 she is managing director and continues on tirelessly. Next to her job, she keeps busy taking care of her two children (1 and 4 years old) and her young dog, together with her boyfriend. She doesn’t like to sit still and this shows in her hobbies: Klaartje enjoys horse riding, hiking, cooking and taking care of her vegetable patch. In addition to this, she is an artist herself.

         Klaartje enjoys the variety of working at Kunstpodium T. As managing director you need to know a lot about many things; from fundraising to curating exhibitions and being there for those with questions and issues. She also enjoys working with young artists. The combination of these two is the highlight of her work in Klaartje’s eyes. When she first started as managing director, the beginning was exciting and new: where to begin? When she first got to Kunstpodium T after her maternity leave, she was surprised. Master Marleen Sleeuwits and her group of Apprentices (with a.o. Inversie-talent Maureen Jonker) had created a surprising exhibition: a beautiful fusion of all the artists. This exhibition, ‘Overlap’ was part of the Apprentice Master season 2016/2017. This is the exhibition that is still most vivid in Klaartje’s mind: it reminds her of the importance of her work and Kunstpodium T and that young artists need a space to grow and experiment. 

         When asked about her favourite memory of Kunstpodium T, Klaartje is reminded immediately of a different exhibition. Artist initiative De Roze Sokkel, founded by former Apprentices, had a six week long exhibition and work period at Kunstpodium T; Klaartje guided them then. They set up their exhibition as a residency. They send out an open call to other artists with no criteria or selection. People from the entire country came. The team of De Roze Sokkel lived in the exhibition rooms during these six weeks between all the artworks: a very educational process. The rooms kept changing: afterwards they organised an awesome finissage with a DJ, campfire and many new and old friends. 

         Since Klaartje is managing director is, she keeps building on the foundations of the previous team members and director. She is continuously working on improving, strengthening and professionalising the organisation and its projects. She is very proud of the program and the new board. Together with them, Klaartje is continuously working on realising the vision of Kunstpodium T’s future with for instance a social safety plan: From white cube to safe space. In this way, they built towards a future where Kunstpodium T is a key figure to young artists in the Netherlands and Belgium: a community where starting artists can find each other and work together on their future.

Hans Coolen | Handyman at Kunstpodium T

“Since June 2020 I am handyman at Kunstpodium T. I take care of chores in the building and make sure that the exhibition spaces are in good shape. Together with the artist I install the exhibition and do other sporadical chores. I like meeting artists and finding out their reasons to make art. I have worked in the mental health care for 18 years as psychiatric nurse and retired two years ago. Originally I was trained as a machine fitter: back in the day, you were forced to pick a trade and work as soon as possible. I am very creative and used to make a lot of things myself. I also used to take a lot of pictures of people. In hindsight, I should have just gone to the art academy! It is no coincidence then that I ended up at Kunstpodium T.”

Maria Heerkens | former intern and curator ‘Artists of Color’

I’m doing an internship at Kunstpodium T as part of my Audiovisual study. I create content for the socials, among other things, and have thought up with and curated the exhibition “Artists of color”. I am a very activistic person. My mission is to make the world a better place. Diversity is a theme that keeps me busy. For example, I would like to show the diversity of Tilburg at Kunstpodium T. I do this with the exhibition “Artist of color”. It is a kind of celebration of diversity and inclusivity in Tilburg. I want people to see that there are very talented artists of color who deserve more recognition in the art world. Curating this exhibition does not necessarily suit my education, but it was a very nice opportunity that I got and I took it with both hands. This is also the very first time that I curated an exhibition. Very exciting but also very cool! Calling myself the curator of this exhibition also just sounds crazy. I hope there will be another edition in the future. I am extremely grateful that I got the opportunity to do an internship at Kunstpodium T. It is very special how Klaartje and Linda give you all the space you need to do your own thing.’

Sanne Akkermans | work experience placement 

‘Hi there! I am Sanne, 22 years old and born and raised in Tilburg. For the next six months I will join Kunstpodium T to gain experience within the arts- and culture sector and I am really looking forward to this. Last August, I graduated from the masters degree in Art Policy and Art Business, and before that I graduated with a bachelors degree in Arts and Cultural Studies, so I can call myself a true Master of Arts! I am a big fan of art, I regularly visit museums and theaters and enjoy going to concerts and lectures on art and culture. A few fun facts about me: I’m a hufflepuff, my favorite artist (and photographer) is Andres Serrano and I collect beer coasters!’ 

Suzanne de Groot | intern 

‘Hi! My name is Suzanne de Groot, I’m 23 years old and I live in Drunen. As of the beginning of last February, I’m an intern at Kunstpodium T. During this internship I will be combining a focus on marketing & communication with research about the community and inclusivity. I am studying International Leisure Management at Breda University of Applied Sciences, which means that I’m learning everything there is to know about the leisure sector. Because of my affinity for history and art, my personal focus in my studies is mainly aimed at the cultural sector. This is also the reason why I’m interested in Kunstpodium T: my comfort zone in culture is in the historical and classical side of things, and here at Kunstpodium T I get the chance to experience and explore the current, modern side .’

Fráncy van Iersel | volunteer 

Fráncy van Iersel has been volunteering at Kunstpodium for almost two years. She is very creative and likes to spend her time with art and culture, both as her job and as a hobby. She also works at the Living Museum in Tilburg. Here, she is the secretary of the board and together with artists, she is one of the editors of the newsletter TLMT. Two years ago she was looking for a fun way to spend her time. Via the website of Tilburg.com she came across a volunteering opening at Kunstpodium T. She had been here before and had a pleasant experience. She decided to mail for more information and could start the very same week! The reason that Kunstpodium T appealed to Fráncy, is the reason why she enjoys all her volunteer work: what Kunstpodium T stands for. To her, Kunstpodium T is a great place that helps young artists along the way and makes the step between the art academy and the professional field a bit easier. She also enjoys the variety in the exhibitions and that she gets to meet many artists during her work. The atmosphere is always pleasant and she gets inspired and energised to get creative herself. To her, art really is an expression of inner feeling and can offer a critical view on society. To Fráncy, art can connect and ‘give colour to life’. 

Want to be part of this team of amazing people? Send us an email to volunteer@kunstpodium-t.com and let us know how you want to contribute to our team!