Last year the museum wanted to close its doors on June 1. There was a proposal from provincial politicians to make money available, but that did not go through. The museum was then closed, but the doors opened again a week later. The province of Drenthe and the municipality of Meppel proposed paying for a study into the future of the museum.
The first results are expected halfway through this year. “I know as much as anyone else about the preliminary conclusions, which is still quite little,” Nagelkerke explains. “But I look forward to it positively. As a museum we cannot continue this way, we have to adapt and appeal to younger target groups.”
But according to the board member, this is not possible without extra money. “We need that to make those adjustments. And I don’t think that much needs to be adjusted, maybe a few small things. Our museum is small and we can move quickly. It shouldn’t cost that much money. I believe that it will work out.” He himself thinks that the existence of the Kopperprent should continue. “People who now make graphic work on the Mac might want to know how things were done in the past. I really believe there is a role for the museum.”
Back to the Kopperprent. This year it was devised by three designers: Walter Hattink, Joke Geers and Trees van Es. The print itself shows the words ‘go with the flow’ and the municipality of Meppel is highlighted on a map of the province of Drenthe. “We want to show that there are tourist activities in Meppel, that is what we have tried to portray,” Van Es explains.
“Go with the flow,” she continues. “Yes, we simply have to continue to move as an organization with the developments surrounding museums, but we must not forget our identity in order to become future-proof.”
Mayor Richard Korteland received the printed matter this year. “I’m going to hang it up in the town hall, I’ll just look for a nice spot for it.” He was allowed to practice with a printing press himself. The result, the church tower in Meppel. “It looks okay, but I think I still need to practice a few more,” Korteland laughs.