When it comes to museums of contemporary art, Amsterdam has much more to offer than you might imagine.
The city boasts some excellent museums, as well as galleries and art centers.
And although it's not extremely famous for contemporary art, Amsterdam is an excellent alternative.
Contemporary art museums in Amsterdam: article summary
Museum of contemporary art in Amsterdam: the Amsterdam Stedelijk
Amsterdam's leading museum of modern and contemporary art is, unsurprisingly, located in the Museum Quarter. Just a stone's throw from the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh museumthe Stedelijk Museum is easy to spot, thanks to its distinctive "bathtub" shape.
Originally opened in 1895 to house private collections donated to the city of Amsterdam, the museum was originally housed in a Dutch neo-Renaissance building. designed by Dutch architect Adriaan Willem Weissman.
In the early 2000s, however, the original building underwent a series of renovations that added a new building as an extension of the museum.
A museum that has adapted to the times
Today, the Stedelijk Museum welcomes thousands of visitors every year, offering them a wide range of different activities.
The museum's collection includes modern masters of the 19th and early 20th centuries, with works by Cézanne, Picasso and an entire collection of paintings and drawings by Malevich.
Contemporary artists included in the collection range from the Second World War to the present day, with Dutch and international artists such as De Kooning, Newman, Merz and Kounellis represented.
Practical information
The facility opens :
- Every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To visit the site, you will need :
- 18,50 € per adult
- 10 € per child
Moco Museum Amsterdam
Certainly smaller than the Stedelijk Museum, and even a little more eccentric. The Moco Museum is another must-see contemporary art museum in Amsterdam.
Opened in 2016, it's the latest addition to the museum district. However, it is one of the city's most visited museums. It is housed in a 1904 townhouse, the Villa Alsberg, which adds an extra layer of interest to your visit.
Moco means "modern contemporary", as the museum exhibits both 20th-century masters and younger, but well-established artists.
It houses a permanent collection, Moco Masters, and temporary exhibitions featuring works by well-known contemporary artists such as JR, Daniel Arsham, Damien Hirst, Yayoi Kusama and KAWS.
The works of art are beautifully arranged around the various spaces and in the outdoor sculpture garden, an extension of the museum itself.
A museum for the very young
Moco Museum is aimed at a younger audience and has a very pop atmosphere. It's a great museum to visit, especially if you're with people who don't appreciate complicated conceptual art.
Indeed, it has a more relaxed atmosphere. What's more, it's just a stone's throw from Amsterdam's other major museums, and within easy reach of the museum district.
It is, however, much smaller, so plan ahead and book your tickets online to avoid crowds and queues.
Practical information
The moco museum in Amsterdam opens :
- Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
To gain access to the site, you must purchase a ticket, the price of which may vary according to the age of the visitor. For example younger children pay only €16.50 as for adults, they will have to pay €19.50 per person to visit the site.
CoBrA Museum of Modern Art
The CoBrA Museum of Modern Art is about 30 minutes from the city center, south of Amsterdam. But it's well worth the short trip once you're there.
The museum is dedicated to the CoBrA movement, an avant-garde movement that developed after the Second World War. It is attributable to artists such as Karel Appel, Constant, Corneille, Christian Dotremont, Asger Jorn and Joseph Noiret, who signed his manifesto in Paris in 1948. The artists came from the cities of Copenhagen, Brussels and Amsterdam, hence the name of the movement.
The movement only lasted a few years, but had a major impact on European art at the time, introducing a style directly linked to American action painting.
Opened in 1995, the museum exhibits works by the movement's founders and most prominent members, in the permanent collection.
At the same time, it also hosts retrospectives and temporary exhibitions, highlighting the link and influence that the movement has had and continues to have on Dutch and European art in general.
Practical information
The museum is open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. Please note that the establishment closes on Mondays.
To access it, you must pay :
- 15 € per adult
- 9,50 € per child
Amsterdam's contemporary art museums are places I recommend if you love contemporary art. Exceptional places to visit on your own or with your family.
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