November 15, 2007
PRESS RELEASE
In 2009 and 2010, the four largest cities in Holland will participate in a large-scale art and cultural event called ‘Holland Art Cities.’ As part of this event, the top ten museums in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht will join forces to create an unprecedented art spectacle. The Amsterdam museums the Hermitage Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk Museum will also celebrate their opening (or reopening) during Holland Art Cities.
WORLD-CLASS CULTURAL OFFERINGS
During Holland Art Cities, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht will be inundated with art and culture like never before. The cultural organizations and top museums from these cities will put together a cultural calendar of the highest quality, spanning two entire years. This makes for the highest concentration of art and cultural activities per square kilometer (.39 sq. mile) in the world. The program, which consists of at least 20 exhibitions over the course of the two years, is an absolute must for all art lovers.
TEN MUSEUMS
The ten participating museums guarantee a first-rate program for Holland Art Cities. In Amsterdam the museums include the Van Gogh Museum, Hermitage Amsterdam, Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art. In The Hague, the Municipal Museum of The Hague and the Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery, in Utrecht, the Museum Catharijneconvent and Centraal Museum and in Rotterdam the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen and the Kunsthal.
THREE MUSEUM OPENINGS
During Holland Art Cities, three Amsterdam museums will open or re-open its doors to the public. Hermitage Amsterdam, with exhibitions from the extensive art collection of the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, is scheduled to open its doors in the spring of 2009. This new location is ten times (4,000 m2 or approx. 43.000 square ft.) larger than the current Hermitage Amsterdam. The Stedelijk Museum, offering by far the best collection of modern art in Amsterdam, will exhibit a unique selection of art not shown since renovations started in 2003. Finally, the re-opening of the Rijksmuseum is scheduled for the end of 2010. An ambitious renovation project prepares the museum for the 21st century. Visitors from around the world will once again be able to admire the largest museum of art and history in Holland, best known for its collection of 17th-century Dutch masters.
THREE THEMES
The works of art on display in the various museums during Holland Art Cities are categorized into the following three themes:
1. International Influences
2. Young Artists, Contemporary Art and Design
3. Dutch Masters
The cities of Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht will develop an extensive cultural and tourism-oriented program around these themes.
The first theme to be launched by Holland Art Cities in 2009 is ‘International Influences.’ The international orientation of the Dutch can clearly be seen in the country’s art, culture and science and served as the source of inspiration for the large number of exhibitions put together by the various museums.
[Back to Press Releases Main]
