About the RKD
The RKD is the knowledge centre for the visual arts of the Low Countries and provides worldwide access to knowledge, research and information to museums, academic community and general public
Friends of the RKD
The Friends of the RKD foundation was set up in 1993 to support the RKD by funding special acquisitions, publications and activities. The Friends of the RKD contribute to the maintenance, presentation and expansion of the collection. Support from the Friends has made possible the acquisition of exceptional objects, including letters from Piet Mondrian and Theo van Doesburg; they have supported projects such as the Biennial Summer Institute for Netherlandish Art for outstanding students from all over the world, as well as enabling publications such as Treasures of the RKD and Wandelen over de Utrechtse stadswal (A stroll along Utrecht’s city walls).
There are various membership levels of the Friends:
Friend: € 50 a year
Friends of the RKD enjoy the following benefits:
- 50 % discount on a RKD Research subscription, offer until 1 April 2024
- 50 % discount for RKD Talks and 50 % discount for one guest
- discounts on other RKD-activities supported by the Friends, for example symposia or publications
- an exclusive Friends day or afternoon once a year
- Friends e-newsletter eight times a year
- two free publications: Treasures of the RKD and Wandelen over de Utrechtse stadswal (A stroll along Utrecht’s city walls)
- option: joint membership for € 80 a year. Valid for two people, both of whom can enjoy the benefits of the Friends
Donor: € 100 a year
Donors enjoy the following benefits:
- free subscription to RKD Research
- free entry to RKD Talks, together with one guest
- free entry to other RKD activities supported by the Friends, such as symposia
- an exclusive Friends day or afternoon once a year
- Friends e-newsletter eight times a year
- two free publications: Treasures of the RKD and Wandelen over de Utrechtse stadswal (A stroll along Utrecht’s city walls)
Become a Friend
Becoming a Friend or Donor is easy, whichever category you choose. Simply use the application form. For more information send an email to vrienden@rkd.nl. A Friends membership runs from 1 January to 31 December.
Charitable status (ANBI)
Registered name: Stichting Cornelis Hofstede de Groot, Vrienden van het RKD
Generally known as: Friends of the RKD
Chamber of Commerce (KVK) number: 41157972/ RSIN (Tax number): 802616471
Contact information
Postal address
PO Box 90418
2509 LK The Hague
Visiting address
Prins Willem-Alexanderhof 5
2595 BE The Hague
Telephone number: +31(0) 70-3339785
Email address: vrienden@rkd.nl
Purpose
The Friends of the RKD Foundation seeks to provide financial support to the Institute in order to strengthen and broaden the RKD’s activities in the art-historical world, among museums, universities, art dealers, auction houses, collectors and (private) visitors in the Netherlands and abroad.
To achieve its purpose, the foundation is committed to increasing the number of Friends, brand-building for the RKD, enabling acquisitions and conservation of objects in the RKD collection, subsidising publications and events, and organising member activities such as guided tours and lectures.
Revenue
The foundation’s income comes from members’ annual contributions and is used to support RKD initiatives and Friends events. The foundation’s capital is invested in low-risk funds, monitored by the treasurer, who reports on the state of finances at board meetings. In principle the foundation maintains its capital invested and receives income in the form of interest and dividends. The capital, however, is available for special requests from the RKD.
Board members
- Gajus Scheltema (chair)
former diplomat - Hans Nijstad (treasurer)
partner and senior advisor UNO bedrijfsadviseurs bv - Lea van der Vinde
director of the Huygens Museum (Huygens’ Hofwijck and Huygens’ Swaenstyn) - Daantje Meuwissen
art history lecturer, early modern period, University of Utrecht - Baukje Coenen
art historian, valuer, fine art consultant (Old Masters)
The RKD team takes care of the foundation’s administrative needs
Remuneration policy
The foundation’s board members work on a voluntary basis.