Rijksmuseum Amsterdam Announces KPN as New Major Corporate Partner
The Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam has announced that Dutch telecommunications provider KPN is stepping into the role of its new official "Founder," marking a significant transition in the institution's corporate partnerships. In this primary partnership role, KPN will support the preservation of the Dutch national art collection and help expand the museum's digital accessibility initiatives for a global audience.
As a visible marker of this collaboration, the main exhibition wing of the Rijksmuseum is being named the KPN Wing.
What the Partnership Means for Visitors in Amsterdam
For those planning a visit to the national museum, this partnership translates into several practical digital and physical enhancements. KPN and the museum are prioritizing the development of tech integration to improve how the public interacts with art both on-site and online.
Key developments that impact the visitor experience include:
- In-Museum Connectivity: Upgrades to the digital infrastructure and connectivity inside the building to make exploring the galleries smoother.
- App Improvements: Ongoing enhancements to the official Rijksmuseum mobile application, which provides interactive multimedia tours to visitors.
- Garden Sculptures: Visitors exploring the free-to-access museum gardens can view the sculptures Signaal 1 and Signaal 2 by Dutch artist Carel Visser, which were donated to the museum and installed in 2024.
A Continued Legacy of Digital Innovation
This new agreement builds upon a long-standing relationship between the two organizations. KPN has served as a key partner to the museum since its reopening in 2013, providing both financial support and technical expertise.
Over the past decade, this collaboration has powered major museum milestones. KPN served as the digital partner for Operation Night Watch, an extensive research project dedicated to Rembrandt's masterpiece. The partner also helped create "Collection Online," an AI-driven system that allows researchers and art lovers to search through 800,000 artworks and 500,000 books. Later this year, the database will expand further with the addition of 800 meters of historical archival materials.
While Philips, which served as the museum's Founder starting in 2001, is stepping down from the primary role, the company will continue its relationship with the institution as a contributing partner.
Whether you are preparing to view masterpieces in person or exploring from afar, Musemap (musemap.art) makes it simple to plan your cultural itinerary. You can search for local exhibitions or explore the complete list of Amsterdam museums to discover more of the city's rich heritage.
