Jan Kruis Museum
Museum in Orvelte dedicated to the cartoonist Jan Kruis and his comic "Jan, Jans en de Kinderen", with illustrations, portraits and a drawing table for visitors.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Jan Kruis Museum is dedicated to the cartoonist and illustrator Jan Kruis (1933–2017), best known for the comic "Jan, Jans en de Kinderen". Plans for a museum of his own already existed in 2008, but a lack of funds and the search for a suitable building kept the project on hold for a long time; earlier attempts in Westerbork and Witteveen failed. After the artist's death in 2017 the project gained momentum, and in January 2019 the location in Orvelte was settled.
The museum opened on 22 May 2019 in the museum village of Orvelte, in a building erected in 2008 on the Melkwegje that had previously housed another museum.
On display are original drawings and strips from Kruis's long career, as well as applied art, commissioned illustrations and portraits of well-known Dutch people. These include the illustrations for a new edition of "Woutertje Pieterse" as well as work on other comics such as "Gregor" and "Sjors en Sjimmie". One well-known figure is the statue of the "Je-weet-wel-kater" (the "You-know-who tomcat"), which used to stand in the Dutch comics museum. The exhibitions change regularly; visitors can also learn at the drawing table how to draw the characters from Jan, Jans en de Kinderen themselves.
Highlights
- Original drawings and strips from "Jan, Jans en de Kinderen"
- Portrait gallery of well-known Dutch people by Jan Kruis
- Statue of the "Je-weet-wel-kater"
- Drawing table: learn to draw the comic characters yourself
- Located in the museum village of Orvelte
- Founded
- 2019
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | €1.50free up to age 3 · Children aged 4 to 11 |
| Groups | –Groups of up to 16 people can visit with a guide outside opening hours; price on request. |
| Museumkaart holders | €5Not free with the Museumkaart, but €5. |
Individual visitors do not need to make a reservation.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Assistance dogs are welcome; other dogs can wait outside at a tethering point with a water bowl.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 3 |
|---|
- Hands-on stations
Children aged 4 to 11 pay €1.50; admission is free for children under 4. At the drawing table, children can draw the comic characters themselves.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
The museum recommends parking at car park P2 of the Orvelte museum village and walking to the museum from there.
The museum is located in the museum village of Orvelte (Melkwegje 5).
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Museum shop
- Coat check
Backpacks and large bags must be left at the ticket desk; small backpacks worn on the front are allowed. Please keep food and drink in your bag. There is a web shop.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Guided tours can be booked for groups of up to 16 people outside regular hours (information via the secretariat). At the drawing table in the museum, visitors can learn to draw the characters of the comic series. |
