Dominique-Savelkoul. The TEFAF managing director departure from the institution  is raising concerns about management

BY KAZEEM ADELEKE, ARTCENTRON

Maastricht, Netherlands — The European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF) has confirmed the departure of its managing director, Dominique Savelkoul, after just over a year in the role, extending a period of executive instability at one of the world’s most influential art fair organizations. The TEFAF managing director departure marks the fifth change in the position within four years.

In a statement issued to the press, the foundation said that it and Savelkoul “have parted ways due to differing views on the organization’s future strategic direction.” The announcement follows media reports over the weekend that first revealed her exit and again places a spotlight on governance challenges facing the nonprofit foundation.

Savelkoul, a Belgian arts administrator, joined TEFAF in September 2024. While she brought decades of experience from major cultural institutions, she had not previously led an art fair and was new to the commercial side of the global art market—a sector that increasingly demands a blend of scholarly credibility, dealer relations, and financial oversight.

Founded in 1988, TEFAF is best known for its flagship fair in Maastricht, held annually each March. Widely regarded as one of the most rigorous and prestigious art fairs worldwide, the event presents works spanning roughly 7,000 years of art history, from antiquities and old master paintings to modern and contemporary works. The 2025 edition marked the fair’s 38th year. TEFAF expanded internationally in 2016 with the launch of TEFAF New York, focused on modern and contemporary art and design and hosted at the Park Avenue Armory.

Upon assuming the role, Savelkoul articulated an ambitious vision for the foundation, emphasizing its responsibilities beyond the marketplace. In official remarks at the time, she framed TEFAF as an institution with unrealized potential to broaden its societal relevance and scholarly contribution, positioning it as a long-term steward of art-historical knowledge for future generations, including emerging dealers and collectors.

TEFAF president Hidde van Seggelen praised her appointment last year, highlighting her international experience and pointing to expected gains in fundraising strategy, audience development, and visitor engagement. Her departure now raises questions about how the foundation will pursue those priorities amid continued leadership transitions.

Savelkoul’s professional background includes senior roles at the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Gallery in London, and the Ruhrtriennale, a major interdisciplinary arts festival in Germany. Most recently, she served as director of Mu.ZEE, a museum dedicated to Belgian modern and contemporary art in Ostend. She has also advised the Flemish minister of culture and holds master’s degrees in history and management.

She succeeded Bart Drenth, who stepped down in May 2023 following controversy related to social media posts concerning religion and cultural politics. His resignation initiated another reset in TEFAF’s senior leadership—one that has yet to fully stabilize.

TEFAF has not announced an interim managing director or outlined a timeline for appointing a successor. Industry observers note that frequent executive turnover can complicate long-term planning, particularly as major art fairs navigate shifting collector demographics, heightened scrutiny of market transparency, and increasing competition from rival international events.

The foundation said further updates regarding leadership and strategic direction will be communicated in due course.