The Rijksmuseum in your pocket

The Rijksmuseum has launched a completely revamped smartphone app. A simple press of a button now gives users access to 14 tours, an advanced navigation system, the e-ticket shop and the Rijksmuseum collection. Now, the Rijksmuseum is even more accessible to everybody, whether it’s before, during or after a visit to the museum. The Rijksmuseum has developed this app in response to new developments in media engagement and the growing numbers of people taking advantage of the benefits offered by their smartphone.

The Rijksmuseum app was created with the support of the Dutch telecommunications company KPN, the Rijksmuseum’s principal sponsor. From today the app can be downloaded at the App Store or Google Play.

For an optimal user experience, the Rijksmuseum app is subdivided into three main sections: Tours, Rijksstudio and E-tickets.

One new component in the Tours section is the indoor automatic wayfinding feature, which in a similar way to navigation apps provides directions within the museum. A total of 300 beacons have been installed around the museum for this purpose – they connect with the app so any visitor following a tour can access continually updated route information. The Tours section currently offers 14 tours in nine languages. The tours are voiced by well-known Dutch actors such as Barry Atsma and Anna Drijver. New tours, such as one for the upcoming High Society exhibition, will be added on a regular basis.

The new Rijksmuseum app also allows users to purchase e-tickets, and to access more than 340,000 images from Rijksstudio in the app, the website for the Rijksmuseum’s collection. App users can view images there and add them to their personal collections – to enjoy the Rijksmuseum collection anytime, anywhere.

The Rijksmuseum app was developed with the support of KPN, the Rijksmuseum’s main sponsor. KPN and the Rijksmuseum share the aim of using technology to connect people with the collection. To this end, KPN supplies the Rijksmuseum with the latest equipment for workshops, courses and tours, and the company also hosts the Rijksmuseum website.

The Rijksmuseum app was developed in collaboration with KPN, Fabrique, Q42 and Movin.

The tours are made possible by the VSBfonds, Fonds 21 and the voluntary contributions of numerous experts and benefactors.

Wi-Fi in the Rijksmuseum is made possible by Cisco.