21st October 2024 – Korzo has found a new general manager in Jimmy-Pierre de Graaf. He will start in this position on 1st January 2025 and is the successor to Gemma Jelier, who left Korzo on 1st October.
Thirty-three-year-old Jimmy-Pierre de Graaf has been working in the cultural sector for years, wearing different hats. He is a creative producer, business director at Ulrike Quade Company, international agent for Wunderbaum & Nicole Beutler Projects and percussionist. He is now taking the step to become general manager at Korzo. ‘I am happy and proud,’ he says. ‘I am pleased that it was a unanimous decision by both the advisory committee and the Supervisory Board to choose me as general manager. That feels like a warm blanket and gives confidence. I think it is worth a compliment that Korzo gives the new generation a voice and shows itself to be a house of development. Not only in the makers’ house, but also in the management.’
As a producer and visitor, Jimmy-Pierre has been a regular visitor to Korzo. ‘For me, it is one of the most beautiful flat-floored venues in the Netherlands and I have seen special makers there,’ he says.
Korzo’s mission and vision also tie in well with his own ambitions and goals as a creative producer in the cultural sector. ‘Art makes an impact, sets people and society in motion,’ says Jimmy-Pierre about this. ‘I look forward to taking on the leadership of a dynamic theatre like Korzo. Together with business manager Benno Vogt and the dedicated team, I want to further propagate the Korzo motto ‘Here to move you’.’
Jimmy-Pierre knows what he wants to get started with. ‘My work practice has always been fuelled by an incessant curiosity for new talent, innovative forms, challenging perspectives and urgent themes. I have always done this from an inclusive attitude and with a love for sustainability and interdisciplinary work. Specifically on those two themes we can show pioneering and be ambitious. Furthermore, I hope to expand Korzo’s international network with my experience and knowledge and thus let makers push their boundaries.’
In addition, there are opportunities and challenges in the cultural sector at an overarching level. For example, Jimmy-Pierre sees that the relationship with the public is changing. ‘It is no longer self-evident that you attract an audience with an advertisement, poster or newsletter,’ he says. ‘As Korzo, we have to think about which communities we want to serve and why. Nowadays, the public makes choices based on their lifestyle, value palette or community. As Korzo, we have to respond to that and that requires new strategies.’
Another challenge for all cultural institutions is the political climate, including Korzo. ‘We have a right-wing cabinet and the costs will continue to rise,’ says Jimmy-Pierre. ‘So we will have to pay attention to our finances. I want to see how we can broaden the financing mix. Sustainable collaborations will be important in this to reduce the risks so that we can remain a house of curiosity & development, where makers can grow.’
Erik Pals has been appointed as interim manager before Jimmy-Pierre’s arrival. From 2025, the management will consist of Jimmy-Pierre as general manager and Benno Vogt as business manager. Benno has been working as head of finance at Korzo for four years and will succeed Reinier van Ooijen from 1st October.
