New museum for contemporary art in the old court of Zuidas
There are old plans for a new museum in the court building on Parnassusweg on the Zuidas. first the municipality of Amsterdam wants the building of the current owner, the Rijksvastgoedbedrijf. The Hartwig Art Foundation wants to set up an international museum for contemporary art in the partly monumental building, at its own expense and risk. The Zuidas, where people work on behalf of people also live, will be given a cultural hotspot. The municipality has yet to agree to the plans.
The Central Government Agency and the municipality have made agreements about the related developments of the old court building and the land with the court next door. The city council will decide on these agreements in mid-September. The Amsterdam Arts Council is positive about the plans. After the purchase, the city will rent out the old court building on a cost-effective basis. The Hartwig Art Foundation is developing the museum at its own expense and risk and does not request a grant from the city. The college’s museum as a nice gift to the city.
Show and make art
The museum with the name Museum of Contemporary Art presents exhibitions of temporary, new artists and new art. In addition to exhibition spaces, there will also be studios, living spaces for artists, workshops and catering. So not only art is shown, but also made. The MCA collaborates with other art institutions such as the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten, the Stedelijk Museum, the Oude Kerk, Framer Framed and de Appel, the Vleeshal (Middelburg), Casco Art Institute (Utrecht), Stroom Den Haag .
No own collection
The museum does not build up its own collection. The MCA wants host are for artists. A selection of the art they make there is presented to the Netherlands Collection. This benefits both the artists and the Dutch cultural heritage. The Hartwig Art Foundation wants to contribute to the collections of the future.
Offices, homes and parking garage
On the ground next to the old courthouse, there are plans for a new building with offices and an underground underground. The requirements and ambitions for this are included in a level of Principles (NvU). After this NvU is used by the city council in mid-September, the Central Government Real Estate Agency will sell the ground lease for the land by means of a public sale procedure.
How further?
If the municipality approves the purchase of the old courthouse and the plans for the land next to it in mid-September, the municipality will continue to work on the lease agreement with the Hartwig Art Foundation. This foundation then further elaborates the plans for the museum.
Photo: City Archives