About us

Organization
Vincent van Gogh Etten-Leur Foundation

Mission
The aim of the Vincent van Gogh Etten-Leur Foundation is to put Etten-Leur on the map as a Van Gogh municipality and to acquaint a broad (inter)national audience with the fact that Etten marked a turning point in the life of Vincent van Gogh in 1881: this is where he began his artistic career, this is where he registered for the first time as a painter and this is where he had his very first studio. In the former Dutch Reformed Church - now Van Gogh Kerk - this story is colorfully revealed in a permanent presentwtie. Visitors are taken into the story of the family Van Gogh (1875-1882) and Vincent's turbulent stay in Etten (April-December 1881).

Vision
The Vincent van Gogh Etten-Leur Foundation wants (inter)national recognition and acknowledgement of the importance of Vincent van Gogh's Etten-Leur period. By literally following in his footsteps, more and more visitors will experience that they can get closer to Vincent, both as a person and as a budding artist. In this way the foundation contributes to improving the leisure economy in Brabant and in the West Brabant region and Etten-Leur in particular.

Strategy / ambition
These are our focal points:

• Operating the Van Gogh Church and the information point in the former "sexton's house.
• Realize expansion of Van Gogh Church in terms of an experience and a new exhibition space
• Collaborate locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.
• Provide support for events and activities that contribute to our mission and vision.
• Appoint Collection Policy.
• Provide education.
• Fill social role towards groups in society.
• Organization with volunteers and a director.

The Vincent van Gogh Etten-Leur Foundation is an organization in which about 30 volunteers are active. All people, who take great pleasure in their work, like to share their knowledge, want to be of significance and of course show the well-known Brabant hospitality. Their respect for Vincent van Gogh is of paramount importance.

Board*
Lex Besselink (chairman)
Vacancy (secretary)
Jan van 't Leengoed (treasurer)
Rijn Broere (member)
Bert Schluter (member)
Pierre van Damme (advisor)
*Board members are volunteers and unpaid.

Director
Ankie de Hoon

Visiting address: Markt 4, 4875 CE Etten-Leur
Postal address: P.O. Box 122, 4870 AC Etten-Leur
Billing address: P.O. Box 122, 4870 AC Etten-Leur
Telephone: +31 765019788
E-mail: info@vincentvangoghinetten.nl
Website: www.vangoghkerk.nl
Chamber of Commerce: 20108295
VAT nr: NL811613550B01
Rabobank no: NL33 RABO 0174 891 237
In the name of the Vincent van Gogh Etten-Leur Foundation

Annual Report 2022