Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam Makes Scientific Journal Open Access Online
The Rijksmuseum has announced that its scientific publication, The Rijksmuseum Bulletin, is now freely available online. This initiative makes the peer-reviewed journal, which covers historical and art historical research related to the museum's collection, accessible to a global audience in a digital format. While a printed version will continue, the new online availability significantly broadens access to the institution's scholarly work.
Initially, all issues of The Rijksmuseum Bulletin published since 2012 are accessible online. The museum plans to further expand this digital archive later in the year, including all past editions dating back to the journal's first publication in 1953.
Enhancing Access to Art and History Research from Amsterdam
This move aligns the Rijksmuseum with the broader scientific community's call for open access, specifically the Plan S initiative. This European government-backed effort, ratified in 2021, aims to accelerate the transition to open access publishing. By participating, the Rijksmuseum emphasizes the importance of making academic resources freely available to everyone.
The Rijksmuseum Bulletin is now published digitally on Openjournals.nl, a new open-access platform collaboratively operated by the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAW), the Dutch Research Council (NWO), and Open Access Publishing Services (OPuS). It marks the first museum-based academic journal to be featured on this platform. The journal has also been registered with the authoritative Directory of Open Access Journals, and each article receives a unique DOI for easier citation.
For those who prefer a physical copy or academic researchers accustomed to specific platforms, The Rijksmuseum Bulletin will continue to be available. A limited number of printed copies can be purchased from the Rijksmuseum shop or through subscriptions via Aboland. It will also remain accessible on JSTOR for the exclusive use of the academic community. The Rijksmuseum itself provides more information on the journal via its dedicated page, Rijksmuseum Bulletin.
This development represents a significant step for the Rijksmuseum in sharing its extensive research and insights into Dutch art and history with a wider public. For more ways to connect with Amsterdam's rich cultural scene, Musemap (musemap.art) offers an easy way to browse museums in Amsterdam or explore other cultural highlights.
