Van Gogh Museum issues closure warning amid government row
Why Van Gogh Museum is threatening to shut its doors
- The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam is at risk of closure unless the Dutch government provides funding for essential repairs to its dilapidated building.
- Director Emilie Gordenker stated that the 50-year-old state-owned structure requires urgent and extensive maintenance to safeguard its invaluable collection and visitors.
- An estimated €104 million is needed for the repairs, which are projected to commence in 2028 and take three years to complete, with funding discussions ongoing for two years.
- The museum argues the government is responsible for funding the maintenance, citing a 1962 agreement made when Van Gogh's family transferred the art collection.
- The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science maintains that the museum receives adequate annual subsidies for maintenance, and the funding dispute is currently awaiting a court hearing.