Sustainability

‘If one truly loves nature one finds beauty everywhere.’

Vincent van Gogh, 30 April 1874

Nature brought Vincent van Gogh peace, meaning and direction. His paintings convey a sense of wonder, attention and connection, and continue to inspire us today. The Van Gogh Museum is more than an institution that manages and preserves the collection of works by Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries. It is also a place for discovery and dialogue. People from all over the world come to experience the life and work of Vincent van Gogh and the artists of his time.

We want to continue connecting future generations with Van Gogh’s art and with the love of nature that is so visible in his work. This is why we are working towards a future-proof museum where heritage and the planet go hand in hand. Caring for art therefore also means caring for people, nature and the world in which art takes on meaning.

We take responsibility and aim to improve every day – not only with plans and words, but through practical steps, sometimes big and sometimes small. Using less energy. Reducing waste. Making more conscious choices. Working better together. And being transparent about what is working and what remains challenging. Our efforts focus on three areas: in the museum, behind the scenes, and with our partners.

What do museum visitors notice of our sustainability ambitions? How sustainable is it to organise new exhibitions, or to lend artworks to museums in the Netherlands and abroad? And how sustainable are the museum’s cafés and shops? Below you can read more about the choices and considerations involved.

How sustainable are our internal processes? Much of what we do takes place behind the scenes, and is therefore not immediately visible to visitors. This includes logistics, operational activities, purchasing, waste management, cleaning and staff travel.

We collaborate with suppliers, partners, networks and other museums on sustainability. By sharing knowledge and working together, we increase our impact. What follows is a selection of our collaborations; we continue to actively seek new connections.

Sustainability is not an end point, but a continuous process. We are making clear progress: our buildings are becoming more energy-efficient, we use materials more intelligently and collaborate more efficiently within our supply chains. New technologies, circular choices and improved collaboration demonstrate that our efforts are making a difference.

At the same time, there are areas in which we still need to grow. Some goals require more time, because they affect existing systems and processes, are subject to technical limitations, or because sustainable alternatives are not always available yet.

Change also requires adjustments in how we work and collaborate. By honestly assessing what is going well, and what could be better, we continue to learn and improve. This helps us stay on course, support our decisions with data and work step by step towards lasting impact.

Contact

If you have questions about the Van Gogh Museum’s sustainability ambitions, would like to share an idea or collaborate with us to achieve these ambitions, please contact us at info@vangoghmuseum.nl.