The Theatre Institute was founded as a Theatre Museum by a number of enthusiastic theatre-lovers in 1924. The collection was initially formed through the acquisition of a number of private collections. The museum beside the Herengracht in Amsterdam opened its library and exhibition space to the public in the mid-1960s. In the 1970s the museum merged with the International Theatre Institute and the audiovisual drama archive to form the Netherlands Theatre Institute. A number of smaller institutes for dance, mime and puppet theatre also took up residence beside the Herengracht in the ensuing period. The present Netherlands Theatre Institute is the result of a merger of four separate institutes in 1992.

Objectives of the TIN today

Since then the TIN has been active as a heritage institution and a sectorial institute. In its former capacity it addresses expanding, managing and making accessible a unique collection of theatre materials. As a sectorial institute, the TIN provides the professional theatre world with information, advice, reflection, promotion and coordination.