Rooted in Change: DSM art collection now on view in Heerlen
28 Oct 2025
After a festive opening, the exhibition Rooted in Change is now on view to the public at SCHUNCK Museum, the Dutch Mining Museum and Heerlen Town Hall. For the first time in history, the former DSM art collection – one of the oldest corporate collections in the Netherlands – is being presented across three venues in the city.
The donation of the core of the DSM art collection to the Municipality of Heerlen marks a significant moment in the cultural history of the region. What once began as a corporate collection of the State Mines and later DSM has now been transferred to the public domain. The collection is managed by SCHUNCK and forms a valuable addition to the municipal art collection.
With Rooted in Change, this transition becomes visible: artworks that once hung within the company are now accessible to everyone. Visitors can explore the collection at three locations in Heerlen – from the stately halls of the Town Hall to the museum galleries of SCHUNCK and the mining stories at the Dutch Mining Museum.
From Lataster to bonajo
The exhibition brings together more than two hundred artworks, ranging from Limburg masters such as Ger Lataster and Jef Diederen to contemporary makers including Hadassah Emmerich, Chaim van Luit and melanie bonajo. Within the exhibition, Coal traces: Clouds over Sawahlunto, curated by Jop Vermeesch and photographer Lara Gasparotto, forms a special part, focusing on the shared mining history of Heerlen and Indonesia.
Another highlight is The selection of… : people from Heerlen and the surrounding area share which artwork from the DSM collection moves them – their reflections can be found on yellow speech bubbles throughout the exhibition. The magazine Rooted in Change features these personal stories, along with interviews and images of the collection, and is available in the SCHUNCK museum shop.
Programme and activities
An extensive programme accompanies the exhibition, featuring guided tours, lectures, music and in-depth activities. Think of a Silent Reading Party, yoga among the artworks, and talks with artists and experts from the region – moments that invite connection and reflection.
Practical information
Rooted in Change is on view until 1 March 2026.
Tickets are available now.
Combined tickets are available for SCHUNCK Museum and the Dutch Mining Museum. Entry to the Town Hall is free, upon registration at the reception desk (entry Geleenstraat).