On Sunday 11 October, Ina Klaassen, director of the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, passed away at the age of 57. In May, she announced that she was seriously ill and was stepping down from her post.
Klaassen had been working at the Boijmans since 2013, initially as business manager and, from 2019, as director. Prior to that, she was director of the Willem de Kooning Academy. She was the driving force behind the renovation and refurbishment of the museum building and the construction of Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen. She wanted to make the Boijmans more welcoming and inclusive, with a particular focus on young people and visitors from diverse cultural backgrounds. Last August, she was awarded the ‘De Rotterdammer’ City Medal in recognition of her contribution to Rotterdam’s cultural sector.
Ina was a highly valued colleague. Museum de Fundatie extends its deepest sympathies to her family, friends and colleagues at Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen at this time of loss.