The Cobra Museum in Amstelveen has a future again. For a long time it seemed that the modern art museum would go under, but at the last minute a number of backers stepped forward. Yesterday visitors could view the first new exhibition since the rescue, a photo collection by Anton Corbijn. The visitors, the photographer himself and of course the museum are overjoyed.
It is very busy when NH enters the Cobra Museum on Friday afternoon. A long line weaves its way through the museum’s souvenir shop. There’s a good reason for that. On the first day of his new exhibition, visitors can have books and posters signed by photographer Anton Corbijn. The entire top floor of the museum is filled with his work.
But it was uncertain for a long time that the exhibition could go ahead. The museum was about to collapse due to what the municipality of Amstelveen described as ‘years of risky business operations,’ resulting in major financial losses. Reason enough for the municipality to withdraw the annual subsidy, which made closure seem inevitable.
Million dollar rescue
But in recent months there has been a turnaround. Millionaires Marius Touwen and Cor van Zadelhoff guarantee loans for the museum. That, in turn, gave the city council enough confidence to plan for next year 1.4 million euros in subsidy to commit. The museum now has a year to prove that they can remain financially healthy.
Director Stefan van Raay is relieved that with the Corbijn exhibition the museum can now really get going again: “It has of course been really exciting lately. To continue working on such a project that has been in the making for years in that uncertainty , is quite difficult for the staff.”
Van Raay will step down as museum director next year. A new board and management were part of the agreement made with the municipality. But there is still joy about the future of the museum: “We are very relieved. The main goal now is to produce black figures next year. It is very nice that we can open with an exhibition of such a well-known artist.”
Corbijn himself is also relieved: “There are two reasons for this. Firstly, my exhibition will now go ahead, and secondly, the museum can continue to exist. Hopefully we can now help each other by attracting many visitors, because that will benefit both of us. “
He believes that the importance of the modern art museum cannot be underestimated: “Such a place is a community for artists in the area, and you expose people to something they rarely experience on a daily basis. That is of course very important. “
Visitors relieved
The people who queued for a long time on Friday for Corbijn’s autograph are also happy that the exhibition, but especially the museum, will continue. “The Cobra Museum, no matter how small it is, makes a very important contribution to the environment,” says a woman who attended the signing session with her daughter.
None of the dozens of staff members and volunteers have to leave due to the cash injection. Their bond with the museum is personal, says a member of the Cobra Academy youth project: “I have learned and experienced so much in the museum, and now other young people can continue to do the same. I am really very happy with that.”