Please sign in to post.

Amsterdam -- Van Gogh Museum Alert

This article came through on my feed while I was traveling. I haven't seen it mentioned on the forum; apologies if I overlooked it.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/van-gogh-museum-closing-amsterdam-b2815929.html

The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is trying to use the court of public opinion to pry open the government purse strings to cover more of the cost of what it says are urgent upgrades to the building's infrastructure. The museum is threatening to close if more money isn't forthcoming. Actual closure seems extremely unlikely; there's probably some political posturing involved. However, of import to future visitors is that part of the museum will have to close while the work (unscheduled at this point) takes place. One of the reasons the museum seeks increased funding is that it expects gate receipts to drop considerably while the museum is not fully open.

Those hoping to visit the Van Gogh Museum in the next few years might want to monitor this situation and perhaps expedite their visit so they can see the full museum.

Posted by
5366 posts

Actual closure seems extremely unlikely; there's probably some
political posturing involved.

The museum's website says it will be closed on Sunday and the website won't let you book tickets for that day.

Closed on 5 October On Sunday 5 October, the Rode Lijn demonstration
will take place on Museumplein. Due to the expected crowds around
Museumplein, we will be closed on Sunday 5 October, in consultation
with the other Museumplein institutions and the City of Amsterdam.

We have tickets to the Rijksmuseum that day and it remains open.

Posted by
2038 posts

The exceptional closing of the Van Gogh Museum this Sunday October 5 is completely unrelated to the issue with the structural state of the museum building mentioned in the OP of this topic.
For more information as to why the Van Gogh museum is closed this Sunday, see the statement on the website of the museum https://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en/about/news-and-press/news/20250930-closure-of-the-van-gogh-museum-due-to-red-line-demonstration-5-october

Posted by
5366 posts

I posted this on another thread about this topic as well.

I was at the Rijksmuseum today and the protest crowds outside are
crazy. The news describes it as "tens of thousands." It seems
peaceful though. We had to fight through crowds to get back to the
subway. I can understand why some museums closed. I can't remember
which one, but we were talking to a couple from Bend, Oregon who said
they had tickets to another museum (not the Van Gough) and it was also
closed.