Music at the Rijksmuseum
Every year since 1998, the VriendenLoterij (formerly BankGiro Loterij) has donated funds to the Rijksmuseum for the purchase of artworks. The Lottery also regularly makes contributions to support other specific projects, such as ‘Music in the Rijksmuseum’, which has been ongoing for several years.
Music in the Rijksmuseum
The Rijksmuseum has no fewer than 500 historical musical instruments in its collection. Music also plays an often symbolic role in many 17th-century paintings. Artists and musicians alike were influenced by their times, and were influential in turn. For all these reasons, the Rijksmuseum in 2017 launched a range of musical activities to tie in with the collection. From classical and pop music concerts to dance events, and from playing historical instruments to recitals in the museum gardens and a musical multimedia tour. This project enables the Rijksmuseum to offer a varied music programme for all audiences, to explore new horizons and to enrich the museum experience.
We are incredibly happy that the VriendenLoterij believes in our dreams. Music, like the Rijksmuseum, belongs to everyone and connects us to art and history. We hope our music programming will delight visitors and expand their horizons.
Taco Dibbits, General director of the Rijksmuseum
Classical in the Gallery of Honour, hip hop in the Passage
Starting from 2017 the Rijksmuseum has hosted concerts by the Koninklijk Concertgebouw Orkest and Jacqueline Govaert in the Gallery of Honour, Diggy Dex and Willem in the Passage, and Bob van Asperen playing music from Rembrandt’s day on a unique harpsichord from the Rijksmuseum’s own collection during the All the Rembrandts exhibition.
VriendenLoterij annual contribution
The VriendenLoterij is the national cultural lottery of the Netherlands. Besides the chance to win prizes, Lottery participants support all forms of culture in the Netherlands, from the preservation of windmills to concerts, festivals and museums. Together with the Mauritshuis, Van Gogh Museum and Kröller-Müller Museum, the Rijksmuseum receives a shared annual donation of more than €8 million for new acquisitions.
In addition, with their purchase of Rijksmuseum Lottery tickets, participants fund free bus rides for school children from all over the Netherlands, enabling the Rijksmuseum to continue pursuing its mission for ‘all children to see The Night Watch’. Play the BankGiro Lottery and support Dutch cultural heritage.