The Glyptotek restoration project in Copenhagen is moving ahead after the museum secured DKK 1.5 billion (€201 million) in grants from the New Carlsberg Foundation (Ny Carlsbergfondet) and the Carlsberg Foundation (Carlsbergfondet), setting the stage for what it describes as one of the largest restoration efforts in Danish museum history.
A DKK 1.5 billion boost from Denmark’s major art foundations
The museum says the combined grants will support a long-term programme to safeguard its landmark buildings, improve conditions for artworks, and strengthen accessibility for future visitors. The initiative is branded “The Glyptotek of the Future” (Fremtidens Glyptotek), and it is framed as an investment in the museum’s architecture as much as in its collections.
The funding comes from two of Denmark’s most influential philanthropic actors in the cultural sector. The New Carlsberg Foundation, created by brewer Carl Jacobsen in 1902, has historically backed major art acquisitions and museum projects in Denmark.
Why the buildings are under pressure after 129 years
Opened in 1897, the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek has become a central institution in Denmark’s cultural life, combining antiquities with major collections of Danish and French art. But after more than a century of heavy use, the museum says the buildings need a comprehensive conservation effort to remain fit for purpose.
According to the museum, the goal is to preserve the institution Carl Jacobsen envisioned—an art museum meant to be accessible to broad audiences—while upgrading infrastructure that affects both conservation and visitor experience.
What will be restored: floors, roof and the museum’s logistics
Public reporting so far points to a project that will include restoration work on key architectural elements such as mosaic floors and parts of the roof, alongside broader upgrades intended to meet modern conservation and accessibility standards.
One practical driver is the complexity of moving and safeguarding the collection during construction. The museum’s director, Gertrud Hvidberg-Hansen, has noted that a significant share of the overall timeline will be absorbed by relocating artworks into and out of storage.
When it could start and how long the closure may last
The museum expects the main works to start in 2028, with an estimated duration of four to six years. During that period, it anticipates being closed to the general public.
Based on current estimates, the full project is expected to cost around DKK 2 billion (€268 million) when storage and collection handling are included. The museum has so far secured DKK 1.5 billion and will need to finance the remaining amount before confirming the final schedule in detail.
A wider Danish trend: private philanthropy shaping cultural infrastructure
Denmark has a long tradition of large private foundations supporting museums, cultural heritage, and the arts—often at a scale that is unusual in a European comparison. In practice, this means that landmark public-facing institutions can undertake capital-intensive projects that would otherwise be difficult to fund through public budgets alone.
For international visitors, the coming closure will be a significant change: the Glyptotek is typically visited by 400,000–500,000 people each year, and is widely marketed as a major stop for those interested in antiquities and nineteenth-century European art.
