Statens Museum for Kunst
The Royal Cast Collection

Goal

To facilitate a temporary reopening of The Royal Cast Collection at the Statens Museum for Kunst (SMK) in Copenhagen, which has been closed to the public since 2016, in order to assess its potential as a long-term cultural and visitor destination. The project aims to share significant cultural heritage with tourists and locals while gathering insights to inform future restoration and operational strategies.

Award

CORA provided funding to support the temporary public opening of The Royal Cast Collection, including costs associated with visitor services and fire safety requirements. This initiative will serve as a pilot project to explore the feasibility of a more permanent reopening.

Rationale

The Royal Cast Collection houses a significant yet underutilized cultural resource in a prime location in Copenhagen. Despite its importance, the building has remained closed due to financial and infrastructural challenges. By supporting a temporary reopening, CORA helped museum professionals to test visitor engagement strategies, explore commercial opportunities, and evaluate long-term sustainability. The initiative aligns with SMK’s broader strategic priorities, including enhancing visitor experiences, preserving cultural assets, and addressing overdue maintenance needs. The grant provided an opportunity to increase public awareness of the collection and demonstrate its potential value as a permanent cultural attraction.