Top Rotterdam museums out for Museumnacht

The two largest Rotterdam museums, the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, and the "Kunsthal," have decided not to take part in the Rotterdam "Night of the Museum," on Saturday March, 8. The museums announced Tuesday the costs exceed the benefits, according to their calculations.

The success of the art event is also its downfall. In the past year the event attracted 15,000 visitors, incurring high organizational and safety expenses. Extra security measures cost the Boijmans Van Beuningen museum 25,000 euros annually, the "Kunsthal" spends 20,000 euros on security measures.

. ()

The Boijmans Van Beuningen museum thinks it can no longer guarantee the safety of the art and the visitors. 'The museum is too crowded, which negatively impacts the atmosphere inside. In addition it makes it impossible for us to guarantee the safety of often fragile art pieces,' states Boijmans Van Beuningen.

'We regret the decision, but the "Rotterdam Night of the Museum" will go on as planned,' according to a spokesperson for the organization. The 51 remaining participants will still offer an appealing program. This will be the thirteenth time the event is organized, this time the subject will be: "Traces." The complete schedule will be available on the website of the organization, starting next week.