The Stedelijk will have a sculpture garden in 2024
Open free of charge to the public
News — Nov 27, 2023
From the entrance area to the restaurant and shop: the museum’s entire plinth is poised for a dramatic transformation
The long-held wish of many Amsterdammers will come true in early autumn 2024: the Stedelijk's beloved sculpture garden will be revived. It is set to return to its original location – the museum’s entrance area – where it stood until the turn of this century. Highlights from the Stedelijk's sculpture collection will be showcased, from early modern classics to contemporary works, from Henry Moore to Anne Imhof. During the day, this sculpture garden will be free for everyone to enjoy, and at night it will shine behind the glass facade on Museumplein. The plans also envisage a complete makeover of the Stedelijk's entrance area and restaurant amenities.
The sculpture garden will largely define the look and feel of the entrance area, and display over ten artworks of varying formats. This will allow the museum to spotlight even more works from its celebrated collection of modern and contemporary visual art. The entrance area will also be refurbished to offer an even richer visitor experience, transforming the foyer into a true meeting place. A new, spacious seating area, specially designed for the Stedelijk, a coffee bar, and a long multi-purpose reading table, will create an inviting foyer that serves both as the starting point of a museum visit, and a dynamic space to meet.
Rein Wolfs, director of Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam: “150 years after the museum was founded, we wanted to create a new location in the heart of cultural Amsterdam where people of all ages can enjoy some of the stunning artworks in the Stedelijk collection. Thanks to generous support from the Don Quixote Foundation, the museum can make this ambition a reality. This is our gift to the city and its residents in honor of Amsterdam's 750th anniversary.”
Femke Halsema, Mayor of Amsterdam about this new initiative: “In Amsterdam, we are developing a Nieuw Amsterdams Verbond, a venture that unites our residents, institutions, and businesses. The Stedelijk Museum’s sculpture garden is a gift to the city that complements this collaboration perfectly. A lasting legacy in our 750-year-old city, which will sparkle as never before in 2025.”
Given that the contracts for the catering facilities were nearing their expiration dates, the Stedelijk is also renewing the restaurant concept on the ground floor and the café on the first floor. Later, the museum will unveil more details about its plans for the sculpture garden, and the concept and opening dates of the new catering amenities.
The Stedelijk is working with architect Paul Cournet of CLOUD research and design studio on the redesign of the foyer.
