The DSM collection
The DSM art collection is one of the oldest corporate collections in the Netherlands. In 2024, dsm-firmenich donated the core of this collection to the municipality of Heerlen — a remarkable moment in the cultural history of the region. Since then, the collection has been housed at SCHUNCK, where it forms a valuable addition to the municipal collection.
The works tell more than just an art-historical story. They reflect the history of the Limburg mining region, societal changes in the area, and the interplay between industry and culture.
Rooted in the mining region
Many artists in the collection have roots in South Limburg or settled there, from Ger Lataster and Jef Diederen to younger generations like Chaim van Luit, Hadassah Emmerich, and Tanja Ritterbex. Their work shows how the mining region provided fertile ground for innovative art.
In addition to Limburg artists, the collection includes works by nationally and internationally significant makers such as Rob Birza, Keetje Mans, Fransje Killaars, and Shinkichi Tajiri. In this way, the collection transcends the region and situates Limburg art within a broader context.
From corporate value to public value
Once collected as a corporate collection, the donation now makes the artworks accessible to everyone. This marks a new phase: the collection is no longer tied to a single company but to an entire community.
Rooted in Change demonstrates how art evokes memories, offers new perspectives, and sparks conversation. The collection is more than a compilation of paintings and sculptures: it is a mirror of history and an invitation to look forward together.