From a Board to a Supervisory Board

We spoke with the supervisors about their role, their motivation, and the opportunities they see for BredaPhoto:

When did you join the board at the time, and what made you decide to do so?
I had been wanting to take on more activities alongside my work in the spirit of social responsibility and engagement, and BredaPhoto fit that perfectly. With so many volunteers dedicating their time to a beautiful art form, I wanted to contribute as well.

What do you find special about BredaPhoto?
The immense dedication and loyalty to BredaPhoto from everyone involved. To me, that makes BredaPhoto a truly special organization.

In your words, what is the difference between a Supervisory Board now and the board structure BredaPhoto had until recently?
Switching from a board member to a supervisor is a fundamental change. The management of the foundation is now in Friso’s hands, and as a supervisor, I have great confidence in that. We are still figuring out the best way to fulfill our role, but the Supervisory Board is also made up of highly committed volunteers, so I am sure we will find our way.

What are you looking forward to when you think about BredaPhoto?
Of course, mainly the next edition of BredaPhoto! But in the short term, I am looking forward to the meeting with the team to strengthen the connection between the team and the Supervisory Board.

Since when have you been involved with BredaPhoto?
The current Supervisory Board all started at the same time in September 2023. Over the past year, we had the opportunity to shadow, learn from, and gain experience alongside the former board. In December 2024, they officially handed over the reins to us, transitioning from a board to a Supervisory Board. From that moment on, we took over. We are an enthusiastic team of volunteers, with Arnold as the familiar face as chairman and six new members: Jan Joost, Michel, Astrid, Saskia, Willemijn, and myself as secretary.

Why volunteer for BredaPhoto? What specifically draws you to this organization?
I graduated from St. Joost in Breda with a creative degree and have worked in various creative fields, but I now work more on the commercial side. Still, my love for creativity and art is always there. Photography has always fascinated me—I’ve even tried it myself, but let’s be honest… despite the occasional lucky shot, I don’t really know what I’m doing! What I do know is how hard you have to work in the creative industry and what it feels like to give your all to create something beautiful. If I can contribute to that in even a small way, I do so with great love and enthusiasm.

How do you see your role as secretary within the Supervisory Board?
As secretary, I ensure that we, as the Supervisory Board, stay well-organized. I keep an overview, maintain structure, and make sure important matters are documented and followed up on. But just as important, I contribute to discussions with the rest of the board about the future and direction of BredaPhoto.

What are you looking forward to when you think about BredaPhoto?
The inspiring images, the encounters with creators and visitors, and the energy the festival brings. BredaPhoto has a unique atmosphere where art and society come together, and I’m excited to contribute to that!

What was your reason for applying to the BredaPhoto Supervisory Board?
Having worked in the photography world for quite some time and now serving as a curator at Fotomuseum Den Haag, I have gained knowledge that is valuable for a substantive role within BredaPhoto’s Supervisory Board. I really enjoy contributing my expertise and providing advice from that perspective. Additionally, I have a personal connection to both the festival and the city—I was born and raised in Teteringen. As an art history student, I attended the festival multiple times and have remained a loyal visitor ever since.

How do you see BredaPhoto’s role within the Dutch and international photography landscape?
I see the role of photography festivals in general—and BredaPhoto in particular—as spaces that identify and anticipate developments in the photography world, provide a platform for emerging talent, and offer visitors unexpected discoveries. There are very few festivals like this in the Benelux, and not many places where emerging photographers can be showcased alongside well-established names. Additionally, it is incredibly valuable for the city itself that Breda is increasingly being recognized as the place for (new) photography.

Where do you see opportunities for the organization?
I see great opportunities for BredaPhoto to take on a more pioneering role in the field of photography—showcasing lesser-known emerging photographers and serving as a springboard for museum exhibitions (and even acquisitions!). I would also love to see the festival claim its place as a must-visit event, similar to the Rencontres d’Arles photography festival in France. I am excited for the future!

You haven’t lived in Breda for very long—how do you like the city?
I have now lived in Breda for a year and a half, after spending 46 years living and working in Rotterdam. I’m really enjoying it here. It’s a lively city, I have a great house in a nice neighborhood, and, most importantly, I’m surrounded by wonderful people. And if needed, I can be in Rotterdam in no time. You need to feel a connection with the city you live in because you don’t just reside there—you live there. The city should make life enjoyable, and Breda certainly does. It’s a pleasure to walk through the city center, but also to take a stroll in the Mastbos. I can go to the movies or visit the Chassé Theater, and I can meet friends for a drink on a terrace. I moved here after retiring, and I hope to stay active as I grow older.

What role does culture play in your life, and what draws you to BredaPhoto?
For me, culture is both relaxation and a challenge. When I visit a museum, I go because I enjoy it, but I also want to understand what I see and hear. The same goes for films and concerts. BredaPhoto is no different—photos should captivate me, but I also want to understand why they were created the way they were. BredaPhoto offers that challenge. I see stunning photographs that make people think. Moreover, they are displayed in unique surroundings, which makes the experience even more fascinating. Each photo has been taken with purpose in locations all over the world, and they all come together in Breda. That is an incredibly inspiring phenomenon.

What expertise do you bring to the Supervisory Board?
As much as I can, I want to contribute to the city in a meaningful way. With BredaPhoto, I can do that alongside many other dedicated volunteers. Throughout my professional life, I have always been involved as a volunteer in the boards of organizations with a social mission, often in financial roles. Because of this, I have also gained expertise in the governance of such organizations. Now that BredaPhoto is implementing a new governance structure, I am eager to contribute my experience in this area. I believe that choosing a Supervisory Board model is the right step for BredaPhoto at this stage of its development. Now, we have to make it work. I am excited to take on that challenge together with the other Supervisory Board members.

What does BredaPhoto mean for the city of Breda?
I believe that BredaPhoto is of great significance to the city of Breda. It is the largest international photography festival in the Benelux, and during the festival, Breda transforms into a vibrant stage for contemporary photography, with exhibitions in unique indoor and outdoor locations. For me, this year’s highlight was ‘t Zoet. I enjoyed the liveliness at the site, the view from the train of the silo, and the stunning photographs on display. It made the city special for weeks, not only because of the striking presence of such a silo but also because of the beautiful small exhibitions and initiatives associated with the festival. For me, these small events also stood out: the meditative gatherings in the Grote Kerk, the route through the neighborhoods that you could walk or bike—each one a gem!

To what extent has culture been a common thread throughout your career?
For me, there is no life and no career without culture. After many years of working in the library sector, the most accessible cultural sector you can imagine, life without culture is almost unimaginable. I started as a volunteer at the Nacht van het Gedicht in Goirle, moved into the board of Theater Jan van Besouw, and now, in addition to being a member of the Supervisory Board of BredaPhoto, I am also heavily involved with the Dyane Donck Compagnie. My entire life and career are immersed in culture. And even in my private life, I’m a frequent user of the Podiumpas, Museumjaarkaart, and, of course, the library subscription!

How do you hope the festival will develop over the next few years?
For me, BredaPhoto will have succeeded if you can feel, see, and experience that there is something happening all over the city. Not just in the city center, but also in the neighborhoods and districts. I hope we can continue offering some parts of the festival for free because, for me, culture must be accessible, and everyone should be able to learn from it and enjoy it!

How does BredaPhoto align with your interests and possibly with your daily work?
Breda is a lovely city to work and live in, with an impressive history and a central location, close to nature. I also know that many organizations and people are actively working to bring culture and creativity closer to the residents. However, for many people in Breda, that’s not always visible. I think the city still has some ground to make up in that regard. A positive exception to this is BredaPhoto. The festival is a fantastic way to bring images, stories, and people together. I’ve been a fan from the very beginning—not just because of the beautiful photos by photographers from all over the world that you can admire in the city, but especially because of the combination of images and stories that are so close to people, which is both humbling and thought-provoking.

In my daily work at OCLC, a global library cooperative, I am responsible for the stability and growth of our Dutch organization in a complex, international world. This requires constant forward-thinking. We develop technology that helps libraries remain valuable to their communities. That can only succeed with achievable plans that are easy to explain to stakeholders. I believe this aligns well with the phase in which BredaPhoto finds itself: growing into an indispensable cultural organization that not only brings much to Breda and its residents but is also regionally and internationally relevant.

What opportunities do you see for the festival in the coming years?
In recent times, my admiration for BredaPhoto has only grown. So much work is being done by a small core team and many passionate volunteers. With the last edition of the festival, the organization has further embedded itself in the city. Not only during the festival, but also through its annual program that offers activities based on a critical and sometimes bold perspective on the world, always in connection with the visitors. In the coming years, the need for connection and the necessity for interpretation will continue to grow. BredaPhoto can make a valuable contribution to that.

What role do you see for yourself within the Supervisory Board?
Through my work with and for libraries, I bring experience with changes within and around organizations. What I have learned most from that is that change must come from connection and attention to people. That’s a prerequisite for success, in my view. From that perspective, I would love to contribute as a sounding board and as a supervisory member—with great enthusiasm and pleasure!

A background in the military, trained as a helicopter pilot—how did you come across BredaPhoto?
I already knew about BredaPhoto from the city and was always impressed by how the festival visualizes social and personal themes. When I saw an opening for the Supervisory Board, it immediately caught my attention. The combination of culture and social impact aligns well with my broad interests and my specific involvement in Breda.

What do you think culture, and BredaPhoto in particular, mean for the city of Breda?
Culture connects, stimulates, and challenges. BredaPhoto puts Breda on the map internationally as a city of innovation and creativity. The festival brings people together and provides a platform for both renowned and talented photographers. This fits with a city that has a rich history and an open outlook on the world. BredaPhoto is a cultural catalyst that inspires and offers new perspectives.

What experience do you bring to the Supervisory Board?
My extensive experience in large, complex organizations helps in assessing strategic issues and ensuring continuity. Additionally, I bring relevant governance and leadership experience, where I am accustomed to reflecting critically, thinking strategically, and providing direction. I’m eager to apply this analytical perspective, combined with my broad interest in culture and society, to support BredaPhoto.