Tired of heading to Amsterdam to check out the Dutch Masters? You’re in luck, because the Rijksmuseum is opening a southern outpost in Eindhoven, with backing from chip giant ASML.
A joint project between the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam and the municipality of Eindhoven, the museum is expected to be built on the Dommel River, just a few minutes’ walk from the station.
Helaas, you won’t be able to swing by and buy a ticket anytime soon — the project is expected to be completed in six to eight years.
No, it’s not just a copy of the Amsterdam Rijksmuseum
The new branch won’t just be a miniature version of its Amsterdam big brother, reports the NOS.
Instead, it’ll feature changing exhibitions centred around art production, creativity, and craftsmanship, perfect themes for what Rijksmuseum director Taco Dibbits calls “a city of makers and doers.”
To get this underway, the museum will work alongside local heavyweights like Eindhoven University of Technology, the Van Abbemuseum, and the Design Academy.
The goal, according to Eindhoven’s municipality, is to make the museum “easily accessible for city residents and visitors from both the Netherlands and abroad”.
Got deep pockets? Eindhoven wants you
You’d think that funding and expertise secured from ASML would make a dent in the projected budget, but nee.
With costs expected to total a whopping €80 million, the municipality is on the hunt for businesses and individuals with deep pockets to invest in it. In particular, the municipality of Eindhoven is eyeing the Dutch government.
“We hope they will contribute as well,” they said — which in Dutch civic-speak translates to “please don’t make us do this alone.”
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