Expanding TeFAF’s Influence: New Director’s Vision for Greater Impact

TEFAF Welcomes Dominique Savelkoul as Managing Director

Dominique Savelkoul, a Belgian arts administrator with decades of experience, has been appointed as the new managing director of The European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF). Savelkoul assumed her role in September and is preparing for her first TEFAF fair in Maastricht, Netherlands. This meaningful leadership change comes after Bart Drenth’s departure in May 2023.

A Career Spanning Cultural Institutions

Savelkoul’s career includes leadership roles at the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Gallery in London, and the Ruhrtriennale in Germany. She also spearheaded the merger of the Flemish opera and ballet companies into Opera Ballet Vlaanderen and led the redesign of the Mu.Zee in Ostend. These diverse experiences have shaped her approach to arts administration and her vision for TEFAF.

Focus on Community and Reinvestment

Savelkoul emphasizes TEFAF’s role as a foundation, stating, “What was really attractive to me is that the final F in TEFAF is not for fair, but for foundation. It’s the European Fine Art Foundation. So it’s not just a commercial fair.” She views TEFAF as a community-focused institution, committed to reinvesting its resources to enhance the fair’s quality and offerings. “TEFAF is not for profit. We, of course, have to have sound finances and a buffer, as every commercial organization does.But it also means that as soon as we have money,we want to reinvest it straight away to make TEFAF the best.” This echoes a sentiment of prioritizing the long-term health and reputation of the foundation over short-term gains.

Advocating for the Art World

Savelkoul plans to leverage TEFAF’s knowledge and experience to advocate for the art world on various platforms. “As a foundation, I really think we should be sitting at every single table where crucial decisions are made: whether it’s The Hague for discussions around dutch VAT, or the European Union for E.U. customs discussions, or UNESCO. We have so much knowledge and experience,and this is quite a complicated world,so let’s be generous and share this information.” This proactive approach aims to address challenges and promote the interests of the art community.

TEFAF’s Unique Identity

Savelkoul highlights TEFAF’s diversity as a key differentiator. “It’s this diversity that we bring; we always say 7,000 years of history are exhibited at TEFAF.” She notes the growing trend of cross-collecting and emphasizes TEFAF’s long-standing commitment to bringing different disciplines together.”More and more, people are cross collecting. We have been championing this from the vrey beginning. We’ve always had all of these disciplines coming together. That’s at the heart of the success of TEFAF.”

Balancing Tradition and Modernity

While TEFAF is known for pre-20th-century art, modern and contemporary art now constitute a significant portion of the fair. Savelkoul believes in maintaining a balance. “I really do believe in this variety, in this diversity, in people coming in from different angles and starting to discover things. I think we really have to make sure the balance is right and stays right.” This approach aims to attract a broader audience while preserving TEFAF’s core identity.

Addressing Past Challenges

Acknowledging the circumstances of her predecessor’s departure, Savelkoul emphasizes the need for stability and continuity.”I think every organization has these kinds of periods. I accepted this role being fully aware that, now maybe more than ever, ther was a need for stability and continuity. I knew it.” She focuses on the future, expressing a willingness to listen and learn from the past. “I’m here to talk about the future, and to be empathetic toward what might have gone wrong. I’m happy to listen. But let’s move forward.”

Navigating the Current Art Market

Despite the current downturn in the art market, Savelkoul remains optimistic. “The beauty of TEFAF is that we can cater to everyone, and we are not that dependent on what exactly happens in the market. Those extremely high prices are all over the press, and everyone is talking about them, but I think the real market is below those price levels. That’s where everything is happening.” She believes that TEFAF’s emphasis on quality will continue to attract buyers. “Even in the toughest times, quality will always be a major reason to buy or not to buy something. And there again, we at TEFAF happen to be on the right side of the story.”

The Importance of Museum Partnerships

Museum clients and visitors play a crucial role in TEFAF’s success. “If the Metropolitan Museum of Art is at TEFAF and buys, it gives a very strong signal to other museums and to individual collectors.” savelkoul highlights the significant presence of museum curators and groups at TEFAF. “Last year we had more than 650 curators visiting TEFAF Maastricht, and more than 40 groups organized by museums coming with thier trustees or their collectors. That really means a lot to us.” These partnerships reinforce TEFAF’s commitment to quality. “Quality is our main aim. Having so many museums buying at the fair is just a measure that we are able to deliver this quality.”

Lessons from Mu.Zee

Savelkoul’s experience transforming the Mu.zee in Ostend provides valuable insights into her leadership style. Arriving during a “crisis,” she quickly assessed the museum’s challenges. “I was there for five years, and came in as a kind of crisis, interim management. I arrived in the building three days before the Covid lockdown. First impressions are really important. I remember thinking, “My God, this building is a nightmare. It’s so complicated, and people are lost.”

She emphasized the importance of showcasing the museum’s collection.”Mu.Zee is the only museum of Belgian art of the last 150 years. but the collection wasn’t shown: It was in the cellar, because they where showing eight small exhibitions in the galleries.” Her team reimagined the space. “We closed the museum, and with the team, we emptied it. we took out the walls, the curtains, the carpets.We did everything ourselves, with our own budget. Working with a fantastic, green and sustainable architect, we were able to strip the building, only have two big exhibitions a year, and put the museum’s own collection in the central building — so, at any stage visiting Mu.Zee, you would have a history of Belgian art.”

Qualities of a Great Arts Administrator

Savelkoul emphasizes humility and collaboration as essential qualities for arts administrators. “It helps not to have a big ego, because we work in a world full of egos. If you look back at what I did and why I was able to succeed, it was never about me. It was about putting the institution or the organization first, when there was a crisis or a challenge.” She values a thoughtful, inquisitive approach. “I prefer to work under the radar and take my time and prepare and listen. Also, you have to dare to question everything — the good things and the bad things. Why are we that successful? Why did that not work out?” She also points to the benefits of bringing a fresh viewpoint. “When you start somewhere and come from another background, you can ask all of those questions — whereas if you go from one Belgian museum to another Belgian museum, you’re supposed to know what you’re talking about. You don’t have this honeymoon period where you are very free to move.”

Looking Ahead

Dominique Savelkoul’s appointment marks a new chapter for TEFAF. With her extensive experience and focus on community, quality, and collaboration, she is well-positioned to lead the foundation into the future. As the art world evolves,Savelkoul’s leadership promises to bring stability,innovation,and a renewed commitment to TEFAF’s mission. explore TEFAF’s upcoming events and discover the remarkable art on display.

How do you see TEFAF, under yoru leadership, fostering a deeper sense of community within the art world and making art more accessible to the broader public?

TEFAF’s New Direction: A conversation with Dominique Savelkoul

Dominique Savelkoul recently took the helm as Managing Director of The European Fine Art Foundation (TEFAF). Archyde’s Senior Arts Correspondent, Elias Thorne, sat down with her to discuss her vision for the future of TEFAF, the art market, and the importance of community in the art world.

Embracing the Foundation: Dominique Savelkoul’s Vision for TEFAF

Elias Thorne: Dominique, welcome to Archyde. You’ve had a captivating career across various cultural institutions. What specifically drew you to TEFAF, and what is your initial vision for its future?

Dominique Savelkoul: Thank you, Elias. What captivated me was the ‘Foundation’ aspect of TEFAF.It’s not purely a commercial endeavor; it’s about reinvesting in the art community,ensuring we continuously improve the fair’s quality and offerings. My vision is to leverage TEFAF’s extensive knowledge to advocate for the art world on a broader scale, impacting discussions and decisions that shape our sector.

Navigating the Art Market and Balancing Tradition with Modernity

Elias Thorne: The art market is ever-evolving. Given the current landscape, how will TEFAF maintain its relevance and attract both seasoned collectors and a new generation of art enthusiasts?

Dominique Savelkoul: TEFAF’s strength lies in its diversity, showcasing 7,000 years of art history. We’re not solely reliant on the highest-priced artworks; our emphasis is on quality, which attracts buyers even during challenging times. Crucially, we embrace both tradition and modernity. While known for pre-20th-century art, modern and contemporary art are increasingly significant, and ensuring the right balance is key to attracting a wide audience.

The Importance of Community and museum partnerships

Elias Thorne: TEFAF emphasizes its community focus.How do you see TEFAF fostering a stronger sense of community within the art world, and what role do museum partnerships play?

Dominique Savelkoul: Community is at the heart of TEFAF. we want to be a place where discussions happen, connections are made, and knowledge is shared. Museum partnerships are critical. The presence and purchases of institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of art send a powerful signal, reinforcing our commitment to quality. Last year, we welcomed over 650 curators to TEFAF Maastricht, along with numerous museum-organized groups—it’s a testament to our dedication to delivering unparalleled quality.

Lessons Learned from Mu.Zee and Addressing Past Challenges

Elias Thorne: You transformed Mu.Zee in Ostend; what key lessons from that experience are you bringing to TEFAF? And, acknowledging the circumstances of your predecessor, what is your approach to addressing past challenges?

Dominique Savelkoul: At Mu.Zee, I learned the power of stripping things back to basics, focusing on the core mission and showcasing the collection. Collaboration and listening to the team were paramount. Regarding TEFAF’s past, I’m focusing on the future.I’m here to listen and learn but most importantly, to ensure stability and continuity. It’s about acknowledging what might have gone wrong and moving forward together.

The Role of an Arts Administrator and a Thought-Provoking Question

Elias Thorne: What, in your opinion, are the most essential qualities of a great arts administrator? And reflecting on your goals for TEFAF, what one question do you hope our readers will consider and perhaps share their thoughts on?

Dominique Savelkoul: Humility, collaboration, and a willingness to question everything are crucial. It’s about putting the institution first. For our readers, I’d like them to consider: *How can art fairs, like TEFAF, best serve not only the collectors and dealers, but also the broader public and future generations, ensuring art remains accessible and appreciated by all?* I sincerely hope we can spark conversation with the readers on where the future of art fairs is going.