Van Abbemuseum

Current exhibitions

About the museum

The museum goes back to the Eindhoven cigar manufacturer Henri van Abbe, owner of the Karel I brand. He financed the building, donated 26 paintings from his collection to the city and provided funds for the first acquisitions. The “Stedelijk Van Abbemuseum” opened on April 18, 1936, with an exhibition of contemporary Dutch art. The brick building with its clock tower was designed by A. J. Kropholler and is now a listed landmark.

After World War II, under directors such as Edy de Wilde, Jean Leering, Rudi Fuchs and Jan Debbaut, the museum established itself as one of Europe's leading museums of contemporary art. Its most important acquisitions include an extensive group of works by El Lissitzky as well as works by Picasso, Chagall, Kokoschka, Beuys and Marlene Dumas. In 2003 the old building was renovated and expanded with a new wing by Abel Cahen, including a 27-meter tower on the banks of the Dommel; John Körmeling's pink bridge house was added in 2006, and the front garden was designed by Piet Oudolf.

Under Charles Esche (2004–2024), the museum opened up strongly to social issues, participation and accessibility. Since 2018 it has also been researching its own roots: the tobacco for Van Abbe's factories came from plantations in Deli on Sumatra, where contract laborers toiled under harsh conditions. Defne Ayas has directed the museum since 2025. For its 90th anniversary in 2026, it is showing its collection in the new, non-chronological presentation “Collectie als kosmos,” while the first floor has been redesigned as the open meeting place “Dommelplein.”

Highlights

• Extensive group of works by El Lissitzky
• Works by Picasso, Chagall, Kokoschka, Beuys, Marlene Dumas and René Daniëls
• Listed original building by A. J. Kropholler (1936) and new wing by Abel Cahen (2003)
• Pink bridge “Echt iets voor u” by John Körmeling and garden by Piet Oudolf
• Pioneer in accessibility, with multisensory tours and quiet rooms
• Café with a terrace on the widened Dommel river

Permanent exhibitions

• Collectie als kosmos – New collection presentation for the 90th anniversary: around 250 works on three floors arranged not chronologically but according to four kinds of time, complemented by everyday objects from 90 of the museum's neighbors.
• john gerrard – Ghost Feed – Real-time simulation of a monkey staring spellbound at a smartphone, as a reflection on attention, algorithms and planetary crises; the artist accompanies the museum as its first “System Thinker.”
• Ad Minoliti – Feminist School of Painting – A brightly painted learning space on the Dommelplein where free sessions on queer and feminist perspectives on painting take place two months a year, with educational programs the rest of the time.

Founded

1936

Director

Defne Ayas

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free admission on Tuesdays 15:00–17:00

Free with the Museumkaart, as well as for members of the Vereniging Rembrandt, VriendenLoterij VIP card holders, members of ICOM, CIMAM and AICA, and Friends of the museum. Tickets online or at the ticket desk; advance booking not required. The Museumkaart can be purchased on site.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Easily accessible for wheelchairs, rollators and mobility scooters; two loaner wheelchairs (reserve via kassabalie@vanabbemuseum.nl). Two accessible parking spaces each at Stratumsedijk 2 and at the old-building entrance, Bilderdijklaan 10; assistance at +31 40 238 1020. “Care Wall” at the entrance with ear protection, folding stools, magnifier, stimming tools and a sensory map; two quiet rooms. Multisensory tours for blind and visually impaired visitors (including deafblind visitors), tours for people with dementia or aphasia, tactile map; from October 1, 2026, indoor navigation via the eZwayZ app and loaner tablets for magnification. Two Smartify tours also in Sign Language of the Netherlands; induction loop in the auditorium.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities

Every Saturday afternoon a Kids' Art Club for ages 6 to 12, which becomes a Family Art Club on the first Saturday of the month. Some works are marked with a green hand sticker as touchable objects; on the first floor, the “Cocon” room with cushions and building blocks invites visitors to relax. Baby changing tables in two restrooms on the first floor; breastfeeding possible in the quiet room.

Getting there & parking

By car via the A2, A50 or A67 toward the center. Bike parking next to the main entrance; guarded bike garage Heuvel 10 minutes away; cycle network junction 89. Taxis on the north and south sides of the station.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Van Abbe café with a terrace on the Dommel (Tue–Sun 11:00–17:00, also accessible without a museum ticket via the pink bridge house). Museum shop accessible without a ticket, plus an online shop. Coats, bags larger than A3, backpacks and umbrellas must go in the free lockers, which are limited in number. Free Wi-Fi “Gasten Van Abbemuseum.” Research library Tue–Thu by reservation.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Several rooms for symposia, talks, celebrations and small or large groups, with an optional program (workshops, curator talks); weddings in the museum possible. The auditorium is also used by companies. Reservations: reserveringen@vanabbemuseum.nl, +31 40 238 1042.

Plan your visit