Van Gogh Museum Facing Closure Without Urgent State Funding
The Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam has issued a grave warning: without extra government funding, it may soon be forced to close. The crux of the crisis? A €104 million renovation plan, dubbed the Masterplan 2028, is vital to maintain the museum’s structural integrity, safety, and sustainability, but cannot move forward without additional support.
Background: An Unfulfilled Agreement from 1962
This funding fight isn’t new. In 1962, Vincent van Gogh’s nephew entrusted the artist’s collection, over 200 paintings, 500 drawings, and nearly 900 letters, to a foundation, on the condition that the Dutch government would build and maintain a dedicated museum to preserve and display these treasures.� Van Gogh Museum’s opening in 1973 seemed to honor this arrangement, until now.
Why It Matters: The State of the Building
More than five decades of heavy use have taken their toll on the museum’s infrastructure. Its ventilation, climate control, elevators, and other systems are overdue for replacement, and new laws require safety and energy-efficient upgrades. The Masterplan 2028, costing €104 million, addresses these needs in a three-year overhaul slated to begin in 2028.
The museum can shoulder part of the burden, using its own reserves and covering about €50 million in lost revenue during partial closures, but it still needs a €11 million annual subsidy from the state. The current funding stands at €8.5 million, leaving an annual shortfall of €2.5 million.
At Risk: Heritage, Staff, and Visitors
Director Emilie Gordenker doesn’t mince words: “If this continues, it will become dangerous for the art—and dangerous for our visitors.” If the funding gap persists, the museum itself may have to close its doors.
Government Pushback and Legal Proceedings
The Ministry of Culture insists that the existing subsidy, adjusted annually for inflation, is already among the highest per square meter of any Dutch museum and is based on expert review.
In response, the museum has resorted to legal action. A hearing is scheduled for February 2026 to settle the subsidy dispute.