An exceptional donation from the Don Quixote Foundation is set to transform the cultural landscape of Amsterdam. The foundation has pledged 60 million euros to the Rijksmuseum to establish a new public sculpture garden of international stature, enriching the city with a green space dedicated to high-caliber art and biodiversity.
This new destination, to be known as the Don Quixote Pavilion and Garden at the Rijksmuseum, will feature works by world-renowned artists such as Alberto Giacometti, Louise Bourgeois, Alexander Calder, Jean Arp, Roni Horn, and Henry Moore. In addition to a permanent collection on long-term loan from the foundation, the site will host rotating temporary sculpture exhibitions.
The sculpture garden will be located just a stone’s throw from the main museum building, at the intersection of Boerenwetering, Ruysdaelkade, and Stadhouderskade. The project involves merging three existing pavilions—originally built in the distinctive Amsterdam School style—with their adjoining gardens and the Carel Willinkplantsoen to create a unified, accessible site.
For the first time, these historic pavilions will be open to the public, transformed into dedicated exhibition spaces designed by the renowned London firm Foster + Partners. The garden itself will be revitalized by Belgian landscape architect Piet Blanckaert, ensuring a harmonious dialogue between the architecture, nature, and the sculptures.
Beyond the art, the project places a strong emphasis on ecological enrichment. Twenty-two new mature trees will be planted, alongside a diverse array of native flowers and plants, contributing to greater biodiversity in the city center.
In line with the museum's commitment to accessibility, the main entrance on Stadhouderskade will welcome visitors free of charge during the day. The permit application has been submitted, and the new sculpture garden is scheduled to open in autumn 2026.