Monthly Archives: October 2011

A call to arms, by Charles Esche:

In recent days there has been a harsh and one-sided critique of the museum launched by a member of the local Labor party (PvDA) in Eindhoven. He believes the museum is irrelevant locally and internationally and that it must attract almost three times the number of visitors (from 85.000-225.000) per year. We disagree both with his opinions about the museum and his analysis of the profitability of so-called ‘blockbuster’ exhibitions.

In order to stop the current museum’s policy from being destroyed and normalized to free market demands, I would ask you to join us at 16:00 on the 18th October in Eindhoven Town Hall to listen to the committee debate and make your feelings heard. If we gather enough support on this one day, I believe we still have a chance to win a debate locally that has already been lost at the national Dutch level.

Thanks a million.

Charles Esche

NB (via Charles) –

I think it is important that this fight is about the kind of culture we believe in and want to see. The Van Abbemuseum is one part of this, but the attack in the Netherlands is much broader. If you can, please write to the local paper Eindhovens Dagblad. The address lezersredactie@ed.nl.