The Mauritshuis will introduce a reduced entrance ticket of 4 euros for visits after 4.00 pm, starting on 1 January 2026. With this new pricing, visitors can access the museum during the final two hours of opening time, seven days a week. The Mauritshuis is the first museum in the Netherlands to offer such a low daily late-afternoon ticket price.
The initiative is intended to make the museum more accessible to people for whom a regular ticket price may be a barrier. The reduced rate applies to all visitors aged 19 and over who live in the Netherlands. Visitors up to and including 18 years old continue to have free access at all times.
According to general director Martine Gosselink, accessibility is a core part of the museum’s mission. She explains that the current ticket price can be a threshold for some visitors and does not fully align with the ambition that everyone should feel at home in the Mauritshuis. With this step, the museum hopes to welcome many more people.
Art and wellbeing A growing body of scientific research shows that engaging with art can have a positive effect on mental health. One year ago, the Mauritshuis conducted its own neuroscientific study, which demonstrated that viewing original artworks creates an emotional response up to ten times stronger than viewing reproductions. Experiencing the power of art in person is something the museum wants to make possible for as many people as possible.
The 4-euro ticket will be available exclusively at the Mauritshuis ticket desk from 4.00 pm onwards and cannot be purchased online. Group visits are permitted for a maximum of four people. The pilot will run for an initial period of six months and will then be evaluated.
Record visitor numbers in 2025 The Mauritshuis is closing 2025 with exceptionally strong visitor figures. The museum expects to have welcomed around 520,000 visitors in total this year, an increase of 5 percent compared with 2024. These figures include visits to the Galerij Prins Willem V. It is the highest number of visitors the museum has ever received in a single calendar year.
Programme highlights for 2026 Three major exhibitions are scheduled for 2026. Early in the year, BIRDS, curated by The Goldfinch and Simon Schama, will explore the worldwide fascination with birds, inspired by Fabritius’ iconic painting. In spring and summer, photographer Stephan Vanfleteren presents Pentimenti, bringing together powerful images that connect past and present. From October 2026, Meesters uit Madrid will bring 25 masterpieces from Madrid to The Hague, featuring works from Van Eyck to El Greco, with a strong focus on humanity and storytelling.
Text & image: Mauritshuis Translation: The Hague Online
Three historic buildings in The Hague have reopened their doors after extensive renovations, offering new flexible rental options for meetings, events and workspaces. In collaboration with real estate developer RE:BORN, people@places has made Lange Voorhout 32 (LV32), Het Spaansche Hof and Mauritskade 9 (The Residency) available once again to businesses, organisations and private individuals.
The three monumental properties combine historic character with modern facilities and are designed to meet the growing demand for distinctive meeting and event spaces in the city. Following their redevelopment, the buildings now provide a range of flexible options, including meeting rooms, event spaces and offices, which can be rented temporarily or on a longer-term basis. Additional services such as hospitality, catering and technical support are also available.
According to RE:BORN, the reopening marks an important moment for the city. “We are proud to transfer these historic buildings to people@places and thus give them back to The Hague,” says owner Saman Mohammadi. “In this way, they can once again play an active role in the daily life of the city.”
People@places, which operates the locations, sees a clear need for physical meeting spaces despite the rise of online working. “After a day full of video calls, it’s a relief to meet in person at one of these unique locations,” says Erik Werners, co-owner of people@places. “With these three buildings, we are responding to the growing demand for inspiring meeting spaces for larger groups, where real connection and collaboration are central.”
It’s no surprise that The Hague nestles a diverse group of entrepreneurs, founders, and business owners. What you may not see is the number of students and young professionals with an idea worth pursuing. Some build quietly, while others find spaces that hold them accountable, offer a like-minded community and help advance their idea forward.
One of those spaces is the Ready to Impact program – an intense 5-week long journey that equips aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools, resources and inspiration they need to turn ideas into successful businesses.
I could go on and on about the program’s vision, but I can show you better than I can tell you. Or what’s more, I can bring the program to you, through the eyes of someone who’s completed it. When asked, Elaine Herkul, the founder of StudyPuff and participant of the program, shared what she’s building, and how Ready to Impact has helped accelerate her progress.
“I am working on StudyPuff. A community for students who want to learn how to learn more efficiently. At StudyPuff we aim to guide students in finding the study routine that works best for them, using scientific research, with our StudyPuff workshops and StudyPuff Learning Algorithm. The Ready to Impact program has helped a lot when it comes to connecting with people, as well as surrounding myself with a group of entrepreneurs who are ready to take action. This has been incredibly motivating. It also helped me think more critically about StudyPuff and how we can best serve students. Without Ready to Impact I would not have been able to move as quickly as I have done because it has pushed me to think more creatively and actually get things done.”
On December 2nd, everyone’s hard work culminated in a grand pitch session. Each founder, changemaker and entrepreneur took to the stage for what can only be described as a turning point. For many, this event was their first ever chance to share their ideas with a wide audience and meet a pool of valuable connections. As the program arrives at an end, one thing is certain – seeing these people grow together has been an incredible experience to witness.
And while Ready to Impact is over, PLNT’s mission is far from done.
At some point while reading this article, you may have asked yourself: “Who’s actually writing this?” And it’s my pleasure to reveal the answer. I’m Ema, a member of PLNT Students – a group within PLNT that targets students and young professionals that want to go beyond what’s expected of them. We look for those with passion projects, side hustles, and business ideas who are looking for ‘their people’.
Each week we reunite our community for productive Get Things Done Days, organise workshops and help form connections that matter. Elaine has been a part of this diverse group of people for some time now, and isn’t planning on leaving anytime soon.
“The PLNT community has been incredibly helpful. Having people around you to ask questions to or spar with has allowed me to be way more creative and solve problems way faster. One bonus is that every other week there is the Get Things Done Day in Leiden, which definitely helps me get things done. Sharing your daily goals with people who are working on their own, helps so much with accountability which is something we all need from time to time. It got me connected with different people who I chat with on a regular basis, just to see what they are up to and to support each other.
I think that has been the most valuable thing. Being surrounded by people who technically have no reason to support you, but they just do.
They want you to succeed and they want to help you wherever they can. Something I’m definitely super grateful for.”
A story like this is one of many. Each person that finds their way to PLNT brings something new. A unique background, one-of-a-kind perspective, and generous dose of dedication. Yet, there’s one thing they all share – the courage to take a chance on their idea and keep coming back.
While our community steadily grows, we make space for more ideas to take root and bloom. If yours is the one we plant next, you know where to find us – start here 🌱
The Kunstmuseum Den Haag is pleased to announce that Jacquill G. Basdew has joined the Supervisory Board. Basdew, who joined the museum at the age of 29, is the youngest supervisor in the Kunstmuseum’s history. With this appointment, Basdew will assume oversight responsibility for the Kunstmuseum Den Haag, KM21, and Escher in Het Paleis, the three museum institutions that fall under the Supervisory Board.
His appointment aligns with a broader movement within the cultural sector to give new generations and fresh perspectives a structural role in governance bodies. With this step, the Kunstmuseum underscores its commitment to multi-voicedness, innovation, and renewal in governance.
Basdew was connected to the museum through Binoq Atana’s national program, with the aim of strengthening the youthfulness of the supervisory board. After a year of intensive collaboration, the museum and Basdew decided to formalize this relationship with his appointment to the Supervisory Board. This collaboration revealed a shared ambition to contribute not only to the museum’s development but also to the national discussion on cultural governance and the position of young supervisors.
Within the Board, Basdew will, in addition to his general supervisory duties, chair the Artistic Committee, a newly established committee that strengthens the museum’s artistic direction and vision. This committee complements existing supervisory structures such as the Audit and Remuneration Committees and reflects the museum’s ambition to structurally embed artistic value in policy and oversight.
For Basdew, his role goes beyond opening doors to new generations. He’s committed to increasing visibility and space for a broad, diverse group of professionals who traditionally have less access to management positions. He advocates for governance that is accessible to new target groups and reflects the sector’s multi-voiced nature, both in the arts and in the institutional infrastructure that supports it.
Jacquill G. Basdew:
It means a lot to me to contribute to an institution so deeply rooted in our cultural identity. I see my role on the Council as an opportunity to actively contribute to the future of the museum and how we, as a sector, take responsibility for accessible and robust cultural policy. I’m committed to strengthening inclusive and future-oriented governance, in which diverse perspectives are truly taken into account.
Margriet Schavemaker, director of the Kunstmuseum The Hague:
Jacquill G. Basdew brings a rare combination of artistic sensitivity, strategic insight, and community engagement. His presence on the Board of Trustees reflects our ambition to be a museum rooted in society and open to new voices and ideas.
Jet de Ranitz, Chair of the Supervisory Board:
“Jacquill G. Basdew brings an important new perspective to our Board with his vision, international experience, and ability to connect generations and sectors. We look forward to working with him to shape the museum’s future.”
With this appointment, the Kunstmuseum Den Haag confirms its commitment to a future in which cultural institutions not only speak of inclusion, innovation, and social relevance, but also structurally embed these values in their management culture.
About Jacquill G. Basdew
Basdew is a multidisciplinary professional at the intersection of art, culture, and social development. He brings a combination of artistic, strategic, and social insights to his work and management roles, representing a perspective within the Supervisory Board of the Kunstmuseum Den Haag Foundation that is still rarely embedded in traditional supervisory structures.
He has collaborated with international institutions such as Tate Britain and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and with a wide range of organizations in the Netherlands, including the Rijksmuseum, the Amsterdam Museum of Photography (FOAM), and the Amsterdam City Archives. Basdew also holds various board and advisory positions, including at DutchCulture (member of the Supervisory Board), the Royal Academy of Art and the Royal Conservatory of The Hague (member of the Supervisory Board), and the National Theatre in The Hague (advisory board).
In the Netherlands, the Inburgering (civic integration) exam stands as a major obstacle on the path to permanent residency or citizenship. It’s a challenge often met with expensive courses and solitary study. Yet, in the heart of the tech-focused Brainport region, a free, grassroots movement has emerged, leveraging the unique mind of its founder to help over 2,000 international residents clear this critical hurdle.
The story begins with Sneha Rani Augustine (36), now Transformational Healer and former Department Quality Manager at ASML. Sneha lives with ADHD and dyslexia. For her, the standard self-study required for the Inburgering exam felt insurmountable. But Sneha is also blessed with the cognitive strengths of autistic giftedness, allowing her to turn her personal learning challenge into a powerful public solution.
The ‘Teach-to-Learn’ Blueprint
Sneha’s personal, neuro-divergent coping mechanism was simple but revolutionary: “I learn best when I teach.”
“When I’m ‘too lazy’ to learn, I promise that I will teach others,” Sneha explains. “It started as a selfish reason—the external pressure to teach others forced my ADHD brain to focus and master the material. I’d used this successfully to earn my University ranks and cum laude from TU/e. I didn’t expect it to become a huge, free resource for the community.”
In July 2020, Sneha created a small WhatsApp group, the ‘Study Group Inburgering’. This initial circle, meant only to motivate her own studies during the pandemic, quickly exploded. Word-of-mouth spread through the international communities, recognizing the immense value of a non-judgemental, safe, and free space dedicated to integration.
A Self-Sustaining Success Story
The group’s genius lies in its pay-it-forward culture. As members pass the exam, they don’t simply leave; they become mentors, teachers, and resource curators. They fill the communal Google Drive with shared notes, essays, and recordings, constantly refreshing the material. This organic, peer-to-peer structure has made the group resistant to changing rules and reliant on collective goodwill, not a hefty tuition fee.
This self-governing machine is supported by dedicated volunteer admins, including Sumeera V Kolagani and Astha Singh, both professionals in the Brainport area.
Astha Singh, Recruitment Business Partner at Vanderlande, highlights the relief the group provides:
“It was the first of a kind group, a safe place for me to air out challenges. The genuine, dedicated tribe of people who contributed free resources was truly a breath of fresh air—in this country, where everything is almost paid.”
Sumeera V Kolagani, Commercial Manager, speaks to its exponential growth:
“I don’t even know when it moved to be a self-sustaining group, but I still keep a close eye to avoid spam. All I ever wanted was to give back and support others who either don’t have the means or didn’t find the right tutor.”
The group’s success has created a unique administrative challenge: with a capacity exceeding 1,000 members, successful candidates must “graduate” to the separate ‘After Inburgering’ group to make space for the constant influx of new learners.
An Integration Blueprint for the Nation
The impact of this grassroots effort is significant: an estimated 2,000 people, primarily professionals contributing to the Brainport ecosystem, have successfully cleared their integration exams.
Beyond the exams, the group has demonstrated its commitment to social impact. In January 2021, Sneha and Sumeera organized an awareness workshop featuring four Dutch teachers like Chaitali Sengupta, Marieta Damen, Ingrid Chaftar and Annemie Briggen-Keeris.. The proceeds were dedicated to supporting children’s education in Meghalaya, India.
This story is more than a study group; it’s an empowering testament to how neurodiversity can be a source of innovative societal solutions. As the Netherlands grapples with maximizing the contribution of its international talent, this free, community-led model—sparked by a personal need—offers a powerful blueprint for successful integration.
With the New Year marking a common time for citizenship resolutions, the ‘Study Group Inburgering’ is proof that the strongest solutions are often those built by the community, for the community, one helpful peer at a time.
The festive month of December is the perfect time to dream away together with the most beautiful and spectacular films at Pathé. As the lights come on outside and the crisp December chill hangs in the air, the cinemas fill with long-awaited blockbusters, surprising sequels, and exclusive specials.
James Cameron takes you back to Pandora in the epic Avatar: Fire and Ash , embark on a blood-curdling nocturnal adventure in Five Nights at Freddy’s 2, and experience the canals of Amsterdam from their darkest side in Amsterdamned II.
Amsterdamned II – 2025 Splendid Film. All Rights Reserved.
Anaconda provides comical jungle panic, and TheHousemaid brings new thrills full of seduction and danger, while the iconic sound of the Rolling Stones returns with Rolling Stones – At The Max (exclusively in IMAX).
And for those looking for pure Christmas spirit, immerse yourself in the warmth, music, and magic of André Rieu’s brand-new Christmas concert, Merry Christmas: the ultimate cinema event for the holidays.
For families and young visitors, December will be just as magical, with adventures like Miss Vomit and the Mysterious Disappearance and Spongebob on the Pirate Trail.
Those who prefer to spend the holidays at home will find new titles at Pathé Thuis, such as Black Phone 2 , Tron: Ares , and the haunting Eden .
Whether you choose a night out or a cozy night in, at Pathé you’ll experience film the way it should be this December: warm, special, and full of movie magic.
Pathé is the first and largest cinema brand in the Netherlands, founded in Paris in 1896 by true pioneers of film: the Pathé brothers. Their aim was to share the wonderful world of film with as many people as possible. Throughout the Netherlands, Pathé has 30 locations, 253 screens and 1,900 employees. Through its wide range of films, livestreams of opera, sports and gaming, among others, the latest techniques such as IMAX, 4DX, Dolby Cinema and ScreenX, and business events, Pathé creates special and unforgettable cinema stories for all.
Disclaimer& Copyright notice
Pathé is a partner of The Hague Online, and we receive cinema tickets in exchange for sharing monthly updates and links on our website and in our enewsletter. Text is provided by Pathé in Dutch and translated into English by The Hague Online. Images are provided by Pathé. Text and images may not be copied and shared without permission.
