Your event in a museum!
Depending on the type of event you are going to organise, the number of attendees and what you want to achieve with the event, there are countless possibilities for how to shape the event. An important part of the overall picture is the choice of event venue. With this blog, we would like to inspire you in terms of a special kind of event venue: a museum.
Benefits of a museum
- A museum is perhaps not the first location that comes to mind when organising an event. However, museums can add a great deal to the experience during an event, for instance thanks to works of art and museum objects that provide extraordinary backdrops. This backdrop can often be linked to a theme or concept that suits the event, to give the whole thing even more substance.
- Most museums are aimed at enhancing the visitor experience, partly through a special design and layout. Furthermore, they are often spacious and it is possible to hire out the entire museum or a section of it. This can make a specific museum suitable for both small and large groups.
- In addition to experiencing the event itself, attendees can also admire the art and museum objects at the venue, thereby gaining new knowledge.
Which museums are suitable as event venues?
Many museums in the Netherlands (and abroad) are suitable as event venues, and of course we cannot mention them all. However, we would like to highlight a few, perhaps as inspiration for your next event.
The National Military Museum in Soest, Utrecht
This museum is housed in a futuristic building in the middle of the Park Vliegbasis Soesterberg protected nature reserve. The premises, the collection packed with weaponry, fighter jets and military vehicles, and the immediate surroundings offer a wide range of possibilities to serve as the setting for unforgettable events. Just think of holding a meeting in a Fokker F-27 Troopship, dining among the tanks and having drinks beneath the fighter jets.
Museum Prinsenhof in Delft, South Holland
This museum, housed in an impressive listed building, is located in the characteristic city centre of Delft. It offers two stylish spaces which can be used separately or combined for larger groups. It is a special venue with a unique historical story and possibilities for events from 10 to 400 people. Make your event even more special by adding an exclusive tour with a private guide, introducing attendees to the museum's special and surprising stories.
The National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam, North Holland
This iconic museum in Amsterdam has fantastic spaces and a wonderful waterfront location (which is hardly surprising given the museum's main subject: shipping ;)). The monumental building offers space for various inspiring meetings, pleasant networking drinks, gala evenings or spectacular events. In addition, the museum has a terrace on the water called ‘Het Dek’ (The Deck). A lovely location for a spring or summer event! But truly unique is the ‘Open Plein’ (Open Square), a huge courtyard with a glass roof containing hundreds of LED lights... you can surely imagine how magnificent this looks during an evening event?! Either way, The National Maritime Museum is a venue that is guaranteed to stay with your guests!
The National Railway Museum in Utrecht, Utrecht
The Railway Museum is a major crowd-puller in the city of Utrecht with around 420,000 visitors a year. The entrance to this museum is a wonderful calling card, namely in the historic Maliebaan station. On the other side of the tracks can be found an impressive, large museum hall where the entire history of the railways can be seen, smelled and felt. The Railway Museum offers various spaces with a classic look for diverse events.
Tips & Tricks
As mentioned above, booking a museum as an event venue has many advantages. However, there are also a number of important points you need to take into account:
- Opening hoursMuseum visitors must not be inconvenienced by events, which is why in most museums these should be organised outside opening hours.
- Theme/event typeOften there must be a link between the museum and the event, or the theme of the event must be related to history, art or culture. This can vary from one museum to another; one can afford more than another. Most museums apply specific conditions.
- Code of conduct: Those present must behave as is expected of them in a museum.
- Smoking, a drink and a bite to eat: Smoking is forbidden in museum spaces, as this affects the quality of the collection. The same often applies to consuming a drink and a snack in these spaces. Most museums do, however, have special areas where eating and drinking are permitted.
- Dancing and music: In a number of museums, dancing is not permitted. While a string ensemble might play, for example, dancing is not allowed. Furthermore, the condition is sometimes imposed that the music must be acoustic.
- Photo/video: Permission must usually be requested in advance for photography and filming.
- Cost: The costs of venue hire for an event in a museum are generally higher than in other locations. On the other hand, your event does take place in a special, unique atmosphere that leaves an unforgettable impression. After all, you do not dine beneath a unique Rembrandt or Van Gogh every day, nor do you mingle amongst showpieces of Dutch history!
Make the experience even more intense!
At goMICE, our goal is to take your LIVE moment to the next level. The impact of a trip, meeting or event can be enhanced in many ways. If desired, we can collaborate on the entire communication process surrounding your LIVE moment:
- How can we involve and inform participants for longer and more effectively?
- How can we ensure that the objectives are met?
- How can we make the experience EVEN more complete?
For this, we create a bespoke concept with a detailed communication plan, which we implement meticulously in every aspect, before, during, and after your meeting, event, or group trip. We use our unique goMICE Stretching Method This way, your organisation or message will remain top of mind with your target audience for longer, and we will ensure even greater impact!
We hope the above has given you a good idea of the unique possibilities and occasional extra conditions when choosing a museum as an event location. In our subsequent blog we will also share a number of suitable event locations both within the Netherlands and abroad. Do you have an event planned for the coming year? Then help we would be delighted to help you find a suitable (museum) venue that meets all your requirements!
Update: This blog first appeared on 19 April 2021 and was updated with new information on 28 March 2022.