Museum of Contemporary Tibetan Art (MoCTA)

About the museum

The Museum of Contemporary Tibetan Art (MoCTA) in Emmen was founded in 2017 by the Tibetan artist Lama Tashi Norbu and Leela Eleni Skitsa, with a team of staff and volunteers. It sees itself as one of the first institutions in the world to permanently collect and show contemporary Tibetan art, and is expressly dedicated to living artists. In October 2022 it was officially admitted to the circle of Dutch museums.

The collection brings together paintings, sculptures and photographs by Tibetans in exile, artists from Lhasa and Western artists who take Tibet as their subject, along with works by the founder. Among others, it shows diaspora artists, the group from the Bhotsun Artists' Space in Lhasa and the Gendun Choephel Artists' Guild. One wall is dedicated to the Dalai Lama; a traditional section shows Tibetan clothing, everyday objects, a sand mandala and religious objects, as well as a largely complete family altar.

The museum is located in the Rensenpark and belongs to the Tibet House Holland foundation. Besides the permanent display, it offers lectures, workshops, audio tours and internships in cooperation with the University of Groningen; events include festivals such as the Tibetan Summer Festival and the Tibetan Healing Festival.

Highlights

• Contemporary Tibetan art by exile Tibetans, Lhasa artists and Western artists
• Works by the founder Lama Tashi Norbu
• Wall for the Dalai Lama and section with traditional artefacts and a sand mandala
• Audio tour in Dutch, English and German
• Museum shop with Tibetan amulets, statues and prayer flags

Permanent exhibitions

• Artists in Diaspora – Works by Tibetans in exile who express their homeland, their concerns and their faith in contemporary art.
• Bhotsun Artists’ Space und Gendun Choephel Artists’ Guild – Art from Lhasa that combines modern forms of expression with Tibetan tradition.
• Traditional Division – Artefacts – Traditional clothing and everyday objects, a sand mandala, spiritual objects and a family altar as the background to the contemporary works.

Founded

2017

Operated by

Stichting Tibet House Holland

Director

Lama Tashi Norbu

Admission & discounts

Museumkaart holders and Friends of MoCTA are admitted free.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• 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

The museum is on the ground floor with no steps; a non-motorised wheelchair can be borrowed, and scooters are also possible. There are wheelchair-accessible toilets and baby-changing facilities; seating is available in a few places. For people with hearing impairments, the audio tour is available as text in the three languages. Assistance dogs are welcome and must always stay with their owner.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities

Children up to 12 years have free admission but must always be accompanied by an adult. Up to three children aged 4 to 11 travel free on Qbuzz buses when accompanied by an adult with an OV-chipkaart.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A37, N381 and N34.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

Museum shop with Tibetan Buddhist amulets, statues, vajras, prayer wheels, jewellery, scarves, paintings, posters, books and prayer flags.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit