To celebrate Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary, the Stedelijk is presenting the city with a unique gift: the Don Quixote Sculpture Hall in the museum’s entrance area, which is always open to everyone.

OUR BELOVED SCULPTURE GARDEN IS BACK

Until the turn of the century, the Stedelijk’s outdoor sculpture garden was a popular and much-visited spot in Amsterdam. The garden’s original location is now the entrance area in the new wing. Thanks to the generous support of the Don Quixote Foundation, we’ve transformed the foyer into the new Sculpture Hall. It showcases art by famous names such as Alexander Calder, Henry Moore, Anne Imhof and Damien Hirst. The Sculpture Hall is free to enjoy during the day (you don’t need an entrance ticket) and at night it will be fully illuminated and visible behind the glass façade on Museumplein. The new Sculpture Hall is the Stedelijk’s unique gift to the city in honor of Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary.

INSPIRING MEETING PLACE

The entire entrance area has also been fully refurbished to offer an enriched visitor experience, featuring a spacious seating area, a long multi-purpose reading table, the relocated museum shop and the new Fonda Bar curated by Amsterdam food design studio Oficina. The Stedelijk commissioned renowned designer Sabine Marcelis to create the Stedelijk Chair, a timeless handmade design in aluminum that visitors can enjoy throughout the redesigned foyer.

AUDIOTOUR

There’s a free audio tour available that takes you on a playful expedition through the Sculpture Hall. Host Michael Krass meets director Rein Wolfs, artists and fellow Amsterdammers, engaging in conversations about the sculptures. Featuring Touria Meliani, Naaz, Jim Deddes (Harco), Anne Imhof, Damien Hirst, Paulina Olowska, Sef, and the grandson of Alexander Calder. Scan the QR code and listen on your phone.

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Design Entrance Hall

Architect Paul Cournet (CLOUD) redesigned the new entrance area: “For the Stedelijk’s new entrance hall, the refurbishment had to be timeless and radical. We wanted to create a space that is both a sculpture hall and a public space in the City of Amsterdam.”

Design Seating

Sabine Marcelis designed the Stedelijk Chair for the refurbished entrance area: “The Stedelijk is known for its renowned design collection. With the Stedelijk Chair, I aimed to create a timeless design, as if sculpted from a single sheet of aluminum, complementing the museum’s redesigned entrance.” With its flowing silhouette, the chair fits seamlessly into the Stedelijk’s redesigned interior. The chair is stackable, lightweight, and made of a 100% aluminum body.

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FOOD AND DRINK

The stylish new Fonda Bar enhances the contemporary, casual vibe of the new entrance area. A range of options including great coffee, a selection of Japanese teas and various fruit juices, guarantees there’s something for everyone. And, of course, there are fresh pastries every day. The new Fonda Café (on the second floor) offers a delicious selection of homemade lunch dishes made from seasonal produce.

EUROPEAN ART MUSEUM AWARD

The Stedelijk recently received the European ART Museum Award for a series of initiatives that focus on making the museum accessible to diverse audiences and providing a platform for diversity, inclusivity, and social engagement. By making the Don Quixote Sculpture Hall free to all, the museum can make more of its famous collection accessible to everyone.

CREDITS

Image 1: The beloved Sculpture Garden of the Stedelijk in 1975.
Image 2, 3, 4: Overview of the Don Quixote Sculpture Hall. Photo: Peter Tijhuis.
Image 5: Damien Hirst, The Incredible Journey, 2008. Don Quixote Foundation. Photo: Peter Tijhuis
Image 6: Sabine Marcelis, Stedelijk Chair, 2024. Photo: Nacho Alegre, BD Barcelona