Bringing Archaeology to Life

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1 Bringing Archaeology to Life Learning from the past, safeguarding the future how to support us 1

2 Bringing Archaeology to Life 2 ancient egypt ancient near east classical world the netherlands The Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (RMO) is the National Museum of Antiquities in the Netherlands. With its world-famous collection, the RMO brings archaeology and the ancient world to life. Despite growing visitor numbers and renowned international exhibitions such as those on the ancient cities of Carthage and Petra, additional resources are needed to ensure high-quality activities. With support from donors and corporations we can continue to be an archaeological center of excellence, develop groundbreaking exhibitions and raise awareness about ancient civilizations among the general public. Your donation will help us to tell the stories of ancient civilizations, enabling the world to learn from them and future generations to enjoy them. About the museum The RMO was founded in Since 1995 the museum has been an independent foundation, with the primary objective of managing the Dutch national archaeological collection and making it accessible to a wider public. The RMO s world-famous archaeological collection contains over 180,000 antique objects from Ancient Egypt, the Classical World (Greek, Roman, Etruscan), the Ancient Near East and the Netherlands. Highlights are the Egyptian and Etruscan collections, which rank among the top ten in the world. The RMO s curators are actively involved in scientific research at the national and international levels, publishing scientific articles and books, holding university professorships and leading archaeological excavations in Egypt and Jordan. The RMO is considered a Center of Excellence in the field of Archaeology, and has close ties with the internationally renowned Leiden University. Growth The RMO attracts over 200,000 visitors each year. In 2014, thanks to the international blockbuster exhibitions on Petra and Carthage, the RMO was one of five Dutch museums with a record number of visitors. Since 2005, visitor numbers have almost tripled. The quantitative and qualitative growth of the museum is expected to continue with the upcoming Nineveh exhibition. Public Benefit Organization The RMO is an official charity and is exempt from paying tax on gifts and legacies. It holds official ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling) status. At least 90% of the museum s work focuses on activities that benefit the general public. Why invest in the past? 3 Our mission Through exhibitions, education, public activities, scientific study and national and international exchange, we tell stories that highlight the relevance of the ancient world to our past and present. Archaeology and human existence go hand in hand. Ancient objects can tell us about the rise and fall of complex societies. Archaeology can teach us about traditional solutions to environmental challenges and historical answers to social problems. It also reveals the resilience of past civilizations. In short, archaeology is a gateway to human experience, one that remains relevant to the challenges we face today.

3 4 Destruction of cultural heritage The National Museum of Antiquities in the Netherlands (het Rijksmuseum van Oudheden or RMO) wants to bring the city of Nineveh back to life by hosting an international exhibition in the autumn of This will be a unique occasion, because strange though it may seem to this day, there has never been an international exhibition of this size solely on Nineveh. Objects from the world s major museums, which were brought back from Iraq by archaeological teams in the 18th and 19th centuries, will be brought together in Leiden on a large scale for the very first time. The exhibition is expected to attract more than 130,000 visitors. The exhibition will highlight the importance of the city of Nineveh for the history of mankind. When it initiated the exhibition in 2014, the exhibition team had no idea that Assyrian heritage would be destroyed by ISIS in These sad events highlight the special relevance of the exhibition. Due attention will thus be paid to the great loss caused by this intentional destruction, and the measures that are being taken worldwide to protect and record our cultural heritage. Unique objects in a unique exhibition Request for loans have been sent to renowned museums all over the world, such as the British Museum (London), the Musée du Louvre (Paris), the Vorderasiatisches Museum (Berlin) and the Metropolitan Museum (New York). Contact has also been established with the Iraq Museum in Baghdad. The exhibition will include loans that are not usually moved from their locations, making this exhibition a unique event. Why an exhibition on Nineveh in the Netherlands? For decades, the Netherlands has put great emphasis on the protection of cultural heritage. The international UN treaty on the protection of cultural property in times of armed conflict, known as the Hague Convention, was signed in the Peace Palace in In addition, the Netherlands and Iraq enjoy good political and cultural relations, facilitating the organization of an exhibition on Nineveh. Furthermore, thanks to close collaboration with famous museums with Assyrian collections worldwide, the RMO will be able to create a diverse and, above all, unique international exhibition. Reconstructed Palace Room The exhibition will give the public an impression of the legendary city of Nineveh, from its palaces and kings to everyday life. In addition to the archaeological masterpieces from Nineveh, European prints and drawings on Nineveh will be shown. Visitors will be able to follow the adventures of the excavation teams and read about the work of Agatha Christie, who was inspired by her stay in Nineveh. The exhibition will also cover other well-known figures, such as Gertrude Bell and Lawrence of Arabia. One highlight of the exhibition will be a 3D-reconstruction of an ancient Assyrian palace room, which will be produced in close collaboration with Delft University of Technology. Visitors will feel as though they have traveled back in time, and visually impaired visitors will be able to touch the reliefs. If you are interested in supporting the Nineveh exhibition or linking your name with exhibition publications, the reconstructed palace room or educational programs, please contact the project curator Anna de Wit: a.dewit@rmo.nl. The Nineveh Exhibition Exhibition in autumn Our next project: In an age when Alexander the Great was not yet born and the Roman Empire had yet to be founded, the Assyrian Empire arose. For a time, the city of Nineveh, the empire s capital with more than 100,000 inhabitants, was the largest and most important city in the world. The name Nineveh has religious significance for many. References to the city are to be found in the narratives on the prophet Jonah (Yonah or Yunus) in the holy books of Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

4 Your donation 6 Donations to the RMO are used to fund awareness-raising activities, new research, the development of publications and educational programs and the organization of exhibitions that are financed outside the regular budget. With your support, we can conduct further research, improve public access to antique collections and increase our understanding of ancient civilizations. Make a difference Every donation, whether it is large or small, one-off or structural, contributes to the RMO s activities, growth and quality. The museum welcomes donations of all sizes and is grateful for every donation made. Your donation will: Contribute to our educational activities, so a new generation can draw inspiration from Ancient Egypt, the Classical World, the Near East, Dutch prehistory and the Middle Ages. Support scientific research and restoration and conservation work, so that the RMO can continue to fulfill its role as an archaeological center of expertise. Help the museum to purchase important archaeological finds for its permanent collections. You would like to be part of a growing museum You would like to make a tax-deductible donation Your business market matches the museum s international orientation and you would like to promote your company in these regions You have an affinity with archaeology and Ancient Egypt, the Classical World and the Near East You have a specific focus on (archaeological) fieldwork You wish to use the famous Temple Room for corporate events You are interested in contributing to the museum s 200th-anniversary celebrations in 2018 and using this to increase your own visibility In addition to general contributions, it is also possible to contribute to a particular product, project or event. You may wish to link your name with: A publication The acquisition of objects Restorations and archaeological findings An educational program An antique collection An international exhibition A particular gallery Research Excavations; e.g., the investment bank EFG Hermes supported the museum s excavations in Sakkara in order to improve the bank s profile in Egypt Fiscal benefits If you are registered in the Netherlands, donating to the museum can bring fiscal benefits, especially if you choose to donate periodically. Your gift will be fully deductible from your income taxes. For a detailed overview of the requirements and benefits, please contact the Director of the museum, Mr. Wim Weijland: w.weijland@rmo.nl. Tax benefits may also apply for American donors. The RMO has an agreement with the Netherland-America Foundation (the NAF, registered as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization), which gives American donors tax benefits. Please contact the NAF for more information: amolenaar@thenaf.org. 7 Why become a donor to the museum? You wish to contribute to a museum of worldwide significance You believe that archaeology and antiquities matter You would like to increase your visibility in the Netherlands You are looking for a project to demonstrate your corporate social responsibility and cultural involvement to a larger public You would like to give back to the communities in which you operate You wish to contribute to scientific research and education in the field of ancient history and archaeology You may also wish to donate an object to the museum. To learn more about the opportunities for doing so, please contact the Head of Collections, Mr. Pieter ter Keurs: p.terkeurs@rmo.nl.

5 How to donate? Gifts in the Netherlands 8 Legacies Named Endowment Fund You can bequeath to the museum in your will by entrusting it a bequest or making it an heir. If you would like to receive more information or advice on bequeathing to the museum, please contact the Director, Mr. Wim Weijland. The RMO also offers individuals the option of setting up a Named Endowment Fund. Such a fund requires a donation of 50,000 or more and can be set up during the donor s lifetime or through a will. The donor can specify the purpose of the fund, which is managed by the RMO. For more information, please contact the Director, Mr. Wim Weijland. Other donations Corporate sponsorship What do we offer our Business Friends? The RMO also welcomes corporate donations. Companies can support the museum by becoming a member of the museum s business friends association, the Stichting Zakenvrienden van het Rijksmuseum van Oudheden. One-off donations to support particular exhibitions or educational projects are also welcome. To learn more about corporate sponsorship, please contact the Director, Mr. Wim Weijland. The primary aim of the Stichting Zakenvrienden foundation is to establish long-term links between the RMO and the private sector. In appreciation of your support, the RMO offers exclusive benefits to donors and sponsors. Depending on the size and nature of the donation or partnership, these privileges include: Exclusive use of the celebrated and spacious Temple Room for receptions Discounts on the rental of meeting rooms and the Temple Room Private themed dinners with the RMO Business Friends Guided tours of the RMO depot for up to eight people Invitations to the opening of temporary exhibitions Publications for each temporary exhibition Invitations to lectures Name of company/institution on display in the Temple Room Exposure on the museum website and, depending on the donation, in publications and promotional materials Management Team, National Museum of Antiquities Director: Mr. W. Weijland Head of Collections and Research: Mr. P. ter Keurs Head of the Finance and Business Administration: Mr. W. de Groot Board of Advisors, National Museum of Antiquities Mr. J.T. Hoekema, Mayor of the City of Wassenaar, Chairperson Mr. M.W.B. Asscher, CEO of Athenaeum Boekhandel, member Ms. E. Kortlang, Notary at De Clercq Lawyers and Notaries, member Ms. I. Sluiter, Professor in Greek Culture and Languages at Leiden University, member Mr. S.P. van den Eijnden, President of the Board of the Open Universiteit, Treasurer Contact details Director: Wim Weijland w.weijland@rmo.nl +31 (0) Rijksmuseum van Oudheden Rapenburg EW Leiden PO box EC Leiden 9 By bank transfer: Account number NL 79 ABNA in the name of Stichting Rijksmuseum van Oudheden, with the reference schenking. Donations are kept in a dedicated fund.

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