By Roby Bellemans
What began more than forty years ago in the Netherlands as a simple yet radical idea has today found a home in Vietnam. The concept was straightforward: if children can borrow books from a library, why not art created especially for them?
At the time, I assumed such initiatives already existed everywhere. They did not. When de Volkskrant published an article about the very first Children’s Art Lending Library, Jeugdjournaal (Dutch Youth News) proposed organizing an official opening—an event that marked not only a Dutch first, but, according to the German University of Culture, a global one. There was no comparable institution anywhere else.
Today, that idea lives on in Da Nang, Vietnam—possibly the only Children’s Art Lending Library in Asia—through the Art for Children Gallery, a space dedicated to free creative activities for children and to making art truly accessible to young audiences.
Art Made For Children
The gallery’s uniqueness lies in its philosophy: all artworks are created specifically for children. Just as they borrow storybooks, children can take art home, live with it, and return it—making art a natural part of everyday life rather than something distant or untouchable.
This journey toward children’s art began unexpectedly. While presenting exhibitions for adults, a young girl once asked me a simple question: “Where is the exhibition for children?” I had no answer—and that was the moment everything changed.
Soon after, leading children’s illustrators and artists embraced the idea with enthusiasm. Artists such as Thé Tjong-Khing, Sylvia Weve, Tonke Dragt, and Max Velthuijs generously contributed their work. Invitations followed from institutions and companies worldwide. Philips invited me to Taiwan; Shell sent me to England, Brunei, and beyond, working closely with the Foundation for Dutch Education Abroad. Hundreds of travelling exhibitions followed across the Netherlands, Belgium, and further afield.
Art, especially art for children, rarely generates income—but it generates something far more valuable: connection, curiosity, and unforgettable journeys.
A New Chapter in Vietnam
As retirement approached, Vietnam entered my life—and never really let go. I lectured for UNESCO at the Hanoi National Art Museum for the Association of Vietnamese Museums and, with the support of the Dutch Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City, curated the international MeetingPoint exhibition at the HCMC Fine Art Museum.
Later, I was invited to become the first director of the Terracotta Park & Museum near Hoi An, an extraordinary experience that exceeded expectations in less than a year. Subsequent requests from museums in Hanoi followed, focusing on educational and outreach projects.
The turning point came in Da Nang, when Oanh—whom I had met while working at the Terracotta Museum—opened the Art for Children Gallery and Children’s Art Lending Library and invited me to visit. I could not resist. I am still there today, sharing experiences, writing booklets, creating videos, and supporting whatever new ideas emerge.
Building Bridges Through Stories
Several of my children’s books have been published in Vietnam, and my storytelling—often inspired by Vietnamese museums and culture—has been warmly received, often ending in applause.
Our YouTube channel offers further insight into our work in Vietnam, and any compensation for lectures or events is fully directed to supporting the Art for Children Gallery.
I spend a few months each year in the Netherlands, and for schools, companies, or cultural organizations wishing to organize Vietnam-related activities—especially for families and children—I am always happy to contribute. I do not claim to be a Vietnam expert, but I do know how to tell stories that connect.
And for those who wish to see it all firsthand: come visit us in Da Nang!
www.robybellemans.nl / www.vietnamculturalexchange.org / www.trading-hats
www.youtube.com/@VietnamCulturalExchange/featured
info@robybellemans.nl / info@trading-hats.nl
