In Memoriam: Jan Zoet (1958 - 2024)

It is with great sadness that we at IETM have learnt that Jan Zoet, Dutch director and manager of theatre, passed away on Saturday December 14. 

Jan was a long time IETM member and a highly valued member of IETM’s Board of Directors from 2002 - 2008. 

In his career, he directed and managed several Dutch institutions and theatres, including the Rotterdam Schouwburg, the Academy for Theatre and Dance at the Amsterdam University of the Arts (AHK), and produced and led various companies and festivals, including Theatre Group Hollandia. He worked alongside Ritsaert ten Cate at the infamous Mickery Theatre in Amsterdam. 

Jan was an active member of several boards and committees in the cultural sector, including Toneelgroep Amsterdam, the Prins Bernhard Cultural Fund and the Performing Arts Fund. During Covid, in his position of chair of the Dutch interest group for the arts Kunsten’92, he initiated ‘The Taskforce Cultural and Creative Sector,’ a collaboration between 100 interested groups, professional associations and others to fight crises in the sector. Jan has held a senior management position at the new prestigious culture centre Amare in Den Haag since 2020 until he had to step back due to his illness. 

Jan is remembered by friends and colleagues for his warmth, kindness, generosity and enormous contribution to the development of our art form.

Asa Richardsdottir, IETM Secretary General, recalls: ‘As a young producer entering one of my first IETM meetings, a little scared, I remember him reaching out with warmth and interest in my own development and that of the Icelandic performing arts scene.’

Nan van Houte, former IETM Secretary General, says: ‘I remember sitting next to Jan on the airplane from one of our exhausting IETM plenaries. He took a sketchbook and started to fulfill MaryAn’s request for us Board Members to propose a new governance structure for IETM. I would have used the plane trip to sleep a bit, but Jan was always ‘on’ and never gave up. Our structure was ready to be sent in on arrival. Apart from his contribution to IETM, Jan’s positive impact on the Dutch arts field is impressive and will not be forgotten. His legacy will live on, in the sector and in our hearts.’

We send Jan´s family, friends and colleagues our most sincere condolences. A heartfelt hug to all the IETM members whose lives Jan touched.

On behalf of IETM,

Ása Richardsdóttir, Secretary General

Photo: Hessel Waalewijn Photography