West Den Haag
Museum for contemporary art in the former US embassy building by Marcel Breuer on the Lange Voorhout in The Hague, with changing exhibitions.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
West Den Haag is an institution for contemporary art founded by Marie-José Sondeijker and Akiem Helmling. Sondeijker previously ran the exhibition space Zapf Dingbats and in 2000 organized the "Haagse Rondgang". From 2007 to 2016, West was based on the Groenewegje, and until 2018 in the townhouse Huis Huguetan in the museum quarter. Since 2018 the institution has been housed in the former US embassy building on the Lange Voorhout.
The brutalist-style building was designed by the architect Marcel Breuer. It is a listed monument, and the municipality of The Hague makes it available to West. The program combines changing exhibitions, events, publications and educational offerings, and aims to present contemporary art in dialogue with the public and urban society. The building is part of the visit itself: every Sunday there are tours of the house's architecture and history.
The organization is run by the Stichting West (West Foundation). The Ministry of Education, Culture and Science supports the plan for an art forum in The Hague with structural funding. The former building at Groenewegje 136 now serves as the platform "Paradise", in cooperation with the Royal Academy of Art and with support for young artists.
Highlights
- Architecture by Marcel Breuer in the former US embassy building
- Changing exhibitions of international contemporary art
- Sunday architecture tours of the building
- Free admission on Thursday evenings from 18:00
- Educational program and escape rooms for school classes
- Operated by
- Stichting West
- Director
- Marie-José Sondeijker
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €12.50 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Students |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Children under 16 enter free. |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · A companion without whom the visit would not be possible does not need a ticket. |
| Students & apprentices | €3 |
| Groups | –Guided group tour (1 hour, max. 20 people) flat rate €100; inquiries by email to chloe@westdenhaag.nl. |
| Rotterdampas | €5 |
Free admission: Every Thursday from 18:00 to 22:00
Free admission with Museumkaart, ICOM membership and Ooievaarspas.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: not available
- 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 main entrance can only be reached by steps; for wheelchair users there is a rear entrance, which staff open on request by phone. There are no working elevators, so the upper floor is not step-free. On the first floor there are two toilets for people with disabilities. For the Sunday tours, a route without stairs is available on request.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
|---|
Children under 16 enter free; for school classes there is a dedicated educational program, which can also be booked as an out-of-school offering.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
- Coat check
- Lockers
Cloakroom and lockers at reception; coats and bags may also be taken into the exhibitions.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Architecture tours every Sunday ("Marcel Breuer/Guided Tours"): in Dutch at 12:30 and 14:30, in English at 16:30; tickets online. School classes (primary school grades 5–8 and secondary schools) book teaching units of 60 to 75 minutes for €120 per group (escape room €150). |
