According to Van Dam, Gordenker was of the opinion that too much emphasis is placed within the museum on commercial interests, writes RTL Z. This would have led to the departure of almost the entire management team.
Gordenker denies to RTL Z that the departure of several management team members has something to do with her. She also denies that she would have criticized the commercial branch of the museum.
Art and commerce
Van Dam has been working for the museum since 2014 and has led Van Gogh Museum Enterprises (VGME) for the past four years. Curtains trad in February 2020 as general director of the museum. She carried out a restructuring, as a result of which Van Dam was given a new job title, among other things. A policy document prepared by him was also adapted by Gordenker and removed from the agenda, reports RTL Z.
Gordenker said earlier this year already against The watchword that the departure of many management members has nothing to do with this restructuring. She also indicated at the time that she was going to look closely at the balance between art and commerce: “To involve the commercial side with the substantive side and vice versa. Because I think everything is important: the restoration studio and the commercial branch, which are incredibly well developed, but the facility services are also essential.”
To the judge
After both a mediation attempt and a termination proposal for Van Dam failed, the museum decided earlier this year to go to court. He recently ruled that Van Dam may be fired. The ruling states that the museum wanted to get rid of Van Dam because of a ‘disrupted employment relationship’ and ‘unsuitability for the position’. He defends himself by saying that an ‘unsafe and unconstructive work atmosphere’ has arisen after the arrival of the new director.
The judge decided that the relationship between the museum and Van Dam ‘has been seriously and irreparably disrupted, creating an unworkable situation’. The museum cannot be blamed for this, so staying on is simply not an option, the judge said.
Van Dam had claimed damages of 635,000 euros; he has no right to this, according to the judge. However, he will receive a severance payment of 16,000 euros. Van Dam’s lawyer says to RTL Z that they consider the possibilities for an appeal.
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