Museums and artistic venues have opened their doors for hairdressers, beauticians and fitness instructors in order to bring back patrons amongst strict COVID-19 rules.
The protests are being held as a way to bring the arts back to the public as the Dutch Government states that “food and drink venues [as well as] theatres, cinemas and museums” must remained closed. However, contact-based industries such as hairdressers are allowed to be open from 5am to 5pm.
Several museums and concert halls were open for the protests last Wednesday including the Van Gogh Museum, Limburgs Museum, The Mauritshuis as well as the Concertgebouw concert hall. The Limburgs Museum said in a statement on twitter that “The Limburgs Museum is participating in the national campaign #MuseumGym of the @Museumverenigin. That is why the museum will change into a #sportschool”.
Other museums like the Van Gogh Museum welcomed in nail technicians where their clients were able to admire masterpiece paintings by the famed artist. While the Concertgebouw opened its doors for hairdressers with their customers being treated to an orchestral rehearsal.
In total 70 cultural venues across the Netherlands were involved with the Director of the Van Gogh Museum Emilie Gordenker telling the BBC that it’s important that crowds be allowed to attend artistic venues and performances.
“A museum visit is a safe visit, and equally important as going to a nail salon, perhaps more so,” she said.
“We just ask them to be consistent… make the rules in a way that everyone understands them.”
“At this point that seems to be lacking.”
Dutch Junior Culture Minister Gunay Uslu said that she understood why the protests were taking place, but that safety is still important.
“The cultural sector is drawing attending to their situation in a creative way,” she said.
“I understand the cry for help and that artists wat to show all the beautiful things they have to offer us,”
“But the opening of society must go on step by step [and] culture is high on the agenda.”
According to the Dutch government, strict COVID-19 restrictions will possibly ease in the coming weeks after the Netherlands has spent the past month in a harsh lockdown.
