Gifts and Bequests

The history of the museums of the National Museum of World Cultures goes back almost two hundred years. The collections of the three separate museums have been established and grown in part due to merging or exchanging collections with other heritage institutions as well as through purchases, bequests and gifts.
Even now we regularly receive objects or photos from people who have a special place in their heart for us — the museum and the collection — for which we are grateful. As a public institution, we ensure that objects remain preserved and visible, also for future generations. Thanks to gifts, the museum is able to tell stories with large, small, valuable or seemingly unimportant objects — stories about cultures, the past and the present, habits and religions, and about what connects us as people.

Do you have an object or a photo of which you would like to know whether it fits in our collection policy? Then read our acceptance policy and procedure below.

Thank you for thinking of our museum for your object or photo; what a great gesture! If you would like to donate or bequeath something, or if you would like to offer something on loan, we would love to exchange ideas with you about this. In a number of situations, the donation or bequeathing of objects and photos can qualify as an allowable deduction for income tax purposes or as a payment of inheritance tax.

Unfortunately, we are not able to accept everything as part of our collection. That’s why it is important to pay attention to the following points before you offer us an object or photo.

• We can only consider objects and photos whose origin is known and where the person offering them is the rightful owner.
• We do not accept any objects which contain human material. Animal material can only be considered if you possess a CITES declaration.
• In addition, we accept no objects which are physically brought to the museum or are sent as a donation by post.
• In the evaluation of your offer, we look at whether it is an addition to our already comprehensive collection. 

The evaluation can best be done if we are sent all the information you have about the object or photo. That’s why we would like to see or learn, if possible, the following information from you:

• Sharp photos and a brief description of what you are offering.
• Who is the current owner?
• What is the provenance? (With this, you indicate how it came into your possession and who the previous owner was.)
• Reason for offering (gift, loan or otherwise).

When the offer has been assessed and the object or photo fits with our collection policy, various phases are then completed. This entire process takes approximately three months.

Contact
You may send the above information, or your questions about donating objects, to: collectie@wereldculturen.nl 

In the realisation of our mission, donors make it possible for us to strive for the highest quality. We create a continuously changing programme of exhibitions and educational and public activities for a public which is as diverse and large as possible. We conduct research and we invest in the interpretation, accessibility and relevance of the collection.
 
It is possible to make a one-off or periodic donation to the Wereldmuseum Amsterdam. The Wereldmuseum Amsterdam, along with the Wereldmuseum Berg en Dal and the Wereldmuseum Leiden, has formed the National Museum of World Cultures since 2014.
 
Bequests
To shape your special connection with the museum, you can also name the Wereldmuseum Amsterdamin your will as an heir or you can bequeath a legacy in the form of a specific amount or specific objects. Perhaps you are even thinking of a named fund. We would be very happy to discuss your wishes and the possibilities with you.
 
ANBI
The National Museum of World Cultures is designated as a Cultural ANBI (Public Benefit Organisation). This gives you as a private person various possibilities to deduct up to 125% of the amount of your gift(s) to the foundation from your income tax. In the case of a gift for a period of at least five years, the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration offers you even more benefits. To learn how this precisely works out in your situation, it is best for you to discuss this with your tax advisor.
 
Contact
Do you have questions about financial donations to the Wereldmuseum Amsterdam? Feel free to contact Josine Hoogenraad on 088-0042916 or at josine.hoogenraad@wereldculturen.nl. 
You may make a donation to us by transferring an amount to IBAN NL24ABNA0451221818 in the name of Stichting Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen.