The Natuurmuseum Fryslân has been a day-out destination in Leeuwarden since 1923
Translated by Thomas Ansell
The Natuurmuseum Fryslân, one of the best known museums in the city and a day-trip staple for nearly 100 years, is in deep financial trouble. The museum is usually funded by a series of subsidy from the Province of Friesland, however the most recent subsidy funding round has left the museum 200,000 euros short.
This has meant that one third of the museum staff are to be let go; drastically reducing the amount of exhibitions that can held at the museum, and the interactive style of its exhibits that have made it a favourite with school children. As reported by the Omrop Fryslân.
Aside from this, the 330,000 exhibits at the museum will no longer be loaned out, as there are not enough conservators to handle the process. Peter Koomen is one of the last to hold the position, which has had recruitment issues in the last few years (says the Museum).
It is also likely that a portion of the collection will have to be disposed of, as there will be too few staff to care for it. “We’ll lose an important portion of Frisian natural culture to other places”, says Koomen.
Other likelihoods thanks to the lack of funding include the possibility of closing the museum a few days per week, and running fewer school-holiday activities. Educational programmes will be reduced, and support for researchers, journalist, and writers will also be cut.
All of this is likely to lead to fewer visitors paying the entry fee: an important last bastion of income for the Natuurmuseum Fryslân, compounding the problem further.
Image: This exhibition is dedicated to different sea mammals. Here you find skeletons of the Common Minke whale, Harbour porpoise, Narwhal and Bottlenose dolphin. The greatest highlight is the skeleton of a Sperm whale that washed ashore on November 3rd, 1994 on the beach of the Dutch island of Ameland.
