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Van Gogh Museum Warns of Possible Closure, Sues Dutch State Over Renovation Funding

The institution cites a 1962 pact as requiring the government to finance a €104 million overhaul to address safety and conservation risks.

FILE - View of the new entrance to the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands, Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong, File)
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Staff at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam hang a self-portrait of the artist
Under threat? Amsterdam's Van Gogh Museum

Overview

  • The museum has filed legal action alleging the state reneged on a 1962 agreement to build and maintain a permanent home for the Van Gogh collection.
  • The culture ministry rejects the claim, saying the housing subsidy is set by a national methodology and is sufficient, noting the museum receives one of the highest allocations per square meter.
  • The proposed Masterplan 2028 totals roughly €104 million to replace aging technical systems, improve climate control and elevators, and tackle structural issues over about three years starting in 2028.
  • The museum, which derives about 85% of its revenue from visitors and partnerships, expects tens of millions in lost income during partial closures and seeks to raise its annual subsidy to about €11 million from €8.5 million.
  • Coverage differs on the court calendar, with AFP reporting a February 2026 hearing while others indicate earlier proceedings, and the case remains pending.