The history of the museum starts in 1956, when the
Royal Academy for Art and Design in
's-Hertogenbosch organized its first international exhibition. At about the same time, a study collection of ceramic objects was started. This led to the creation of the Municipal Exhibition Service or , which was made independent in 1972. This service was then based in the
Kruithuis. The Kruithuis also came to house the 'Foundation for Visual Arts Loans', or . The Ceramics collection was moved to the Kruithuis, and moved into storage in1981. The name became 'Museum het Kruithuis'. In 1988 the museum started to collect jewellery. This became an international collection going back to 1950. In 1985 the museum officially became a Museum of Contemporary Art. A process of professionalization then started. The international exhibition program became more focused and ambitious. The number of events, like guided tours, presentations and excursions increased, and so did the number of visitors. By 1990 the Kruithuis had become too small due to the growth of the collection, and the professionalization of the organization. In 1994 the municipality of 's-Hertogenbosch then decided to expand the museum at the place where it was located. A new building was designed, which would integrate the Kruithuis. While waiting for completion, the museum and art loan moved to the Hekellaan, somewhat to the south. Many protests then succeeded in cancelling the design by architect
Bořek Šípek. In 2002 the municipal government decided to cancel the plans at the Kruithuis, and to look for a location in the city center. This caused that from 2003 to 2013 the museum was located in an old commercial building in the
Palace Quarter southwest of the Railway station. The Foundation for Visual Arts Loans did not move to the Palace Quarter, but moved to a building on Hinthamerstraat. == The Design Museum Today ==