Caroline Vos

You are the director of Amsterdam Art Weekend. When did your affinity with art begin?

During my childhood, I often went to exhibitions with my parents. Especially when we went to The Hague to visit family, we often visited for example, the Gemeente Museum. I always enjoyed that very much. I was proud of the posters of famous paintings that hung in my room. There was no doubt that I was going to study art history. During my studies, I discovered that I was particularly interested in contemporary art. I thought it was really cool to be inspired by images and ideas that you have never seen or experienced before.

Do you collect privately?

I sometimes buy something, but I am far from being a collector. There has been an artwork high on my wish list for a while now, but I hope it’s not already sold by the time I have saved up for it! I don't often have the feeling that I have to "have" something. I think that fits with my generation: experiencing is most important, possessing less. If I were to buy an artwork, it’s mostly to support the artist, not to own anything.

What would you like to bring about in the art world?

Amsterdam Art stands for making contemporary art in Amsterdam visible to a large audience. On the one hand we try to give international attention to the Amsterdam art scene a boost, because this is important for a flourishing climate. On the other hand, I see that the Amsterdam scene (in this case the visitors and buyers) can be much more diverse. There are still so many people who cannot cross the threshold of a gallery, for example. As well as the other way around: there are so many inspiring places where "the seasoned art lover" has not yet been. We try to make new connections: that drives me.

Do you think it is important to show art in a company and why?

Certainly! My first internship was at a company collection and there I experienced that art inspires employees to help you get out of your daily routine of just being productive and ticking off tasks of your to-do list. It gives something special to talk about, to look at, to discover. Moreover, it makes many offices much more beautiful. Not unimportant either!