The European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF) and its managing director have parted ways after just over a year, marking a continuing high rate of turnover in the post. Dominique Savelkoul was the fifth managing director in four years.
When the Belgian arts administrator took up her post in September 2024, she had never run an art fair before, and was new to a job that touched the commercial arts sector. TEFAF runs a renowned fair that takes place in Maastricht, the Netherlands, every March and showcases 7,000 years of art history; this year’s was the 38th edition. TEFAF inaugurated a New York edition, focused on modern and contemporary art and design, in 2016.
TEFAF and Savelkoul “have parted ways because of differing views on the organisation’s future strategic direction,” said the foundation in a statement emailed to ARTnews. The Art Newspaper first reported Savelkoul’s departure over the weekend.
Savelkoul took over from Bart Drenth, who stepped down in May 2023 after social media posts regarding Muslims and “woke culture” were published by Artnet News.
She indicated ambitious goals when she arrived, saying in press materials, “As a prominent art institution and influential voice, TEFAF still has untapped potential to extend its societal and scholarly impact, ensuring excellence as a guardian and preserver of art historical knowledge for future generations—young art dealers and collectors alike.”
Hidde van Seggelen, TEFAF president, said at the time that Savelkoul’s “unique experience and knowledge, gained from a distinguished career in the international cultural sector, will be an asset to TEFAF in the coming years, particularly in fundraising, audiences, and visitor experience.”
Savelkoul has a distinguished résumé, having been head of marketing and development for the London Philharmonic Orchestra and director of communications at the National Gallery in London, as well as helping to launch the Ruhrtriennale, a major performing and visual arts festival in northwestern Germany. Most recently she served as director of Mu.Zee, a museum of Belgian modern and contemporary art in Ostend. She also served as an adviser on the cabinet of the Flemish minister of culture. She holds master’s degrees in both history and management.
