Inauguration Dr Wendy Gers

On Wednesday 21 October 2026, Dr Wendy Gers will be inaugurated as Professor Art & Sustainability for the Research Centre Art & Society.

Photo: Marcel J. de Jong

Dr Wendy Gers
Dr Wendy Gers is researcher and curator, with a strong commitment to social and climate justice. Her research interests include sustainability, decolonisation and curatorial studies.  In addition to her role as Professor of Art & Sustainability, she was curator of modern and contemporary art at the National Ceramics Museum Princessehof  (2021-2026). Prior to her appointment as professor, she worked at Hanze University as a senior researcher at the Research Centre Biobased Economy, and in autumn 2024, she held the Theodore Randall International Chair of Art History at Alfred University in New York.

Professorship Art & Sustainability
Through the Professorship Art & Sustainability, Wendy explores the multifaceted topic of sustainability from various scientific, artistic, and experimental perspectives. The Professorship investigates how artists, researchers, and communities can work together to contribute to climate justice and the development of regenerative art practices and economies.

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Programme   

3:30 p.m. –  Reception
4:00 p.m. – Video
4:03 p.m. – Annemarie Hannink MHA, member of the Executive Board  
4:15 p.m. – Inaugural speech, Dr Wendy Gers  
4:40 p.m. – Inauguration
4:45 p.m. – Ingeborg Walinga, Director Arts, Design & Built Environment  
5:00 p.m. – Drinks (till 6:00) and ritual by Kasia Kaczmarek, alumna Minerva Art Academy

Most of the programme will be in English

Pre-programme

A special preliminary programme with workshops and an exhibition exploring topics including materials and collective making from an eco-critical approach.

2:00 p.m. – Welcome and activity selection (some activities have limited capacity, first comes first)

2:15 p.m. – Start programme of activities  

• Workshop – Remaking in art academy workshops by Vanessa Bakhuizen-van ‘t Hoogt (Researcher, Professorship Art & Sustainability), Rianne Eising (letterpress and bookbinding workshop specialist), Wopke Olderburger (wood workshop specialist).
• Workshop – Willow Weaving by Gloria Maria Cavalieri (Researcher and PhD-candidate, Professorship Art & Sustainability)
• Exhibition – Rethinking Material presenting work by artists and art students affiliated with the Professorship Art & Sustainability

Time zone in The Netherlands: CEST (UTC+2)