QKunst pursues collection management based on an inventory and an analysis of the existing collection, using the QKunst collection management application. In doing so, we keep in mind all the values carried by a collection – think of artistic value and financial value for instance, but also relational value. We set down these values in a specifically designed model: “Visualised Value”.
Sometimes we take the whole collection management off your hands, sometimes just part of it – for instance advice on developing and realising a storage space, accompanying a restoration process or a series of acquisitions, or redecorating a building with art.
Professional collection management not only encompasses formulating policy, taking inventory, managing and presenting art, but also collecting and deaccessioning in order to create collection mobility. Deaccessioning is one of our specialties. Indeed, we successfully placed back works at museums for several clients. Are you interested in the value(s) of your collection? Please contact us.
An important part of Achmea’s art collection leads back to the insurance company’s pioneer role in Alternative Workplace Strategies. In 2018, QKunst made an analysis of the collection to reorganise it in two key collections and then created a new, theme-based art plan.
When choosing the themes, we looked at the buildings’ location, surroundings and function, in order to make the best use of the works. For instance, the Frisian landscapes and the paintings by Frisian artists create a feeling of familiarity for the employees at the Leeuwarden office.
At the end of 2019 and the beginning of 2020 the redesigning was completed in five locations throughout the Netherlands. Redesigning meant a complete change of the artworks in all the buildings. Logistically, this was quite a challenge as the artworks had to travel throughout the country and had to be placed back in buildings that are being used daily.
Wageningen University & Research (WUR) owns an art collection that is on display in the WUR’s buildings. A small part is kept in storage. In 2019, QKunst accompanied WUR in deaccessioning pieces that no longer fitted in the collection.
In 2020 and 2021, QKunst supports WUR with the restoration and reframing of the collection, and makes a photo fit for print of all the artworks. Finally, WUR manages the collection in the QKunst Collection management application.
The mural by Keith Haring at the Foodcenter in Amsterdam-West has been recently restored. In the past years, many have worked for the visibility and conservation of this special work.
Haring (1958-1990) painted the mythical animal in 1986, when he had his first solo exhibition at the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam. Eight years later the mural disappeared behind a metal façade due to humidity issues in the building. During the rediscovery in 2018 the mural turned out to be in a reasonable condition. Experts established that conservation was necessary to preserve the work for the future. In 2019, QKunst made a conservation plan.
Consortium Marktkwartier (consisting of Developers Ballast Nedam Development and VolkerWessels), the municipality of Amsterdam and the Keith Haring Foundation agreed to share the costs. QKunst was commissioned to supervise the restoration, which was completed by an international team of restorers.
QKunst is preferred partner of the Rabobank for art-related advice to local banks. The advice can relate to art acquisition or to ordering commissioned art, to selecting or deaccessioning art, or redecorating buildings.
After taking inventory of the collection and accompanying the execution of the custom advice, QKunst manages the collection in the collection management application and accompanies with framing, restoration, storage, transportation and control rounds for the different banks. This way, the client is fully unburdened.
For a number of offices, commissioned art was produced. QKunst introduced suited artists and lead the art commissions from design to realisation.
The Province of South Holland has an art collection with a strong regional focus. QKunst accompanied the province with the profile sharpening, valuing, restoration and disclosure of the collection. QKunst also helped the province organize a brand new depot.
QKunst currently helps the province with preparing the art plan of the provincial house after the building’s renovation is completed. In all these matters, QKunst works closely together with the internal provincial art commission.
