Janwillem Schrofer (1945–2026)

Janwillem Schrofer had only one dream, he said in an interview with De Volkskrant newspaper on the occasion of his retirement in 2010: “To create a welcoming place where individual artists can develop their talents. Sitting together at a table under a tree, eating, drinking and talking, like the ancient Greek 'akademie' – with a ‘k’.”

It is with sadness that we now say goodbye to Janwillem, director from 1982 to 2010. He passed away on 8 January 2026.

Visionary and impassioned, he transformed the Rijksakademie almost half a century ago into the international artist residency it is today. During his nearly three decades at the helm, he was an inimitable advocate for the individual development of artists, placing reflection, dialogue and experiment at the heart of the Rijksakademie. His work is invaluable to generations of international artists.

We will sorely miss his boundless dedication and energy and we cherish the legacy he leaves behind. We wish his daughters, family and friends much strength in coping with this great loss.

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