Amsterdam is the cultural capital of the Netherlands and one of the most cultural cities in the world. Amsterdam has the biggest amount of museums per capita in the world which makes it significant on the world cultural arena. The Netherlands gave the world many famous artists whose museums you still can find on the Museums Square. But culture never stopped developing in the Netherlands and Amsterdam has a lot to offer. Aside from the city’s larger cultural institutions like the Rijksmuseum and Stedelijk, there are many smaller, independent galleries in Amsterdam. These establishments provide several multi-functional platforms containing exhibitions, music and restaurants, as well as simpler galleries promoting the local (and international) art scene. See bellow our must see art galleries in Amsterdam:
Mediamatic
Via intriguing exhibits, seminars, lectures and film screenings, Mediamatic investigates the impact of emerging technology and media on culture and community. The multi-purpose headquarters of Mediamatic on Dijksgracht serves as a laboratory for a wide range of sustainability, innovative agriculture and bio-art ventures. There are areas scattered around the facility for smaller art or design projects and a large exhibition room on its eastern side. Its accomplishments include the already legendary interactive Arcade display, which accompanied the rise of the gaming industry. After discovering Mediamatic, visitors can relax at the organisation’s waterside restaurant and order vegan food made from ingredients grown in an on-site aquaponics greenhouse. Workshops that usually concentrate on modern gastronomy and small-scale, sustainable farming can also be attended at Mediamatic.
P/////AKT
In order to produce exhibits and shows that reflect contemporary trends inside the world of art, P/AKT cooperates with emerging talents. The gallery supports artists and designers to make exhibition site-specific works and also hosts extra performances during finissages. The project is entirely philanthropic and is funded by many art projects in the Netherlands, including the Mondrian Fund. Usually, P/AKT organizes about ten events each year and has a small, profitable living area devoted to traveling artists. As it aims to break down barriers between art, the artist and the public, discussion, performance and book releases are also aspects of the mandate of this gallery.
KochxBos
KochxBos Gallery Art PiecesAn fascinating gallery that exhibits foreign artists from Europe, Asia and America within a 15 minutes away from our hotel. Esther Koch and Hans Bos took their obsession with the surreal and avant-garde and created a wonderful platform for the world’s top lowbrow and underground art of today. Persuasive exhibits of art and a few fascinating items in stock at all times. Ray Caesar, Sarah Maple, Harma Heikens and Peter Pontiac are among the artists at the KochxBos Gallery. Worth visiting.
W139
Located in the heart of Amsterdam, W139 began as an underground gang, like many other significant cultural places in Amsterdam, and has since become an important autonomous part of the artistic scene of the city. The concept was created by a group of young artists in the late 1970s to establish an exhibition space that was not attached to the cultural institutions or commercial galleries of the region. Today, W139 hosts about five major exhibitions each year that are planned and created by artists-in-residence on-site. These shows are often artist-led and typically include works and installations that are site-specific. W139 is constantly in motion with space for performances, exhibitions, book releases, events, films and discussions on hot topics such as the uncomfortable relationship between politics and art.
De Appel
Since the mid-1970s, De Appel has played an important role in Amsterdam’s contemporary art scene and ranks among the city’s oldest and most important cultural landscapes. Over the years, the center has moved many times, but there has still been a space for exhibits and performances, with its annual program appearing to revolve around up-and – coming talent. De Appel also provides curatorial training programmes and has an extensive library of research.
Fons Welters Gallery
In 1988, Fons Welters Gallery opened its doors. It is located in the heart of the gallery district of Amsterdam and focuses on rising stars. The primary goal of Fons Welters Gallery is to collaborate with artists on their professional journey at an early level. In addition to partnering with Dutch exhibitors, the gallery ‘s focus is also on customers from outside the Netherlands. Nearly all of the participants began their careers at the gallery, and many of them have now joined the world art stage. From painting to sculpture and installation to multimedia, Fons Welters Gallery exhibits cutting-edge contemporary art. The front room of the gallery has been converted into a small project room, named Playstation, since September 2000. This room features younger artists, fresh from the academies, who are given the chance to display their works.
ARticks Gallery
Located in the center of Amsterdam right in the Singel canal, the ArTicks Gallery specializes in modern street and urban art, featuring both international and local exhibitors with original works. The shows at ArTicks Gallery are planned and organized with an eye for talent, enthusiasm and humour. The team of artists is expanding quickly, representing many groups of artists from Amsterdam, including Codex Inferno, Mokum Zoo, IKS Crew, Hot Mama Hot, Free Jordan Warriors. It is also a place of touch for individual artisans, both within and outside the Netherlands.
Gerhard Hofland
One of the best in the city is the recently renamed Gerhard Hofland Gallery in Amsterdam. Gerhard Hofland established it in the autumn of 2000. Since then, in collaboration with other exhibits and museums abroad, it has participated in numerous trade shows as well as hosting exhibitions. The Gerhard Hofland Gallery is dedicated to rising and mid-career artists who aspire for a broader recognition and museum acknowledgement. In their work, all those represented have a solid, outspoken formal language.
GO gallery
Since its launch in the late 1990s, the gallery has promoted street art and contemporary pop art and has exhibited works of several prominent figures within these interconnected scenes. GO Gallery received the Dutch Street Art Award for Greatest Gallery in 2016 , 2017 and 2018, due to its long-term and continuing contributions to the art form. It is led by Oscar van der Voorn and Farud Cambatta, who have been observing the work of the clients they have been serving for years and giving them an open platform to exhibit. The GO Gallery often provides its space in an apt environment for meetings, product presentation or just a regular party.
Radar Architecture and Art
Launched in 2008 by Marco di Piaggi, an architect and music lover, Radar has developed itself as a gallery focusing on art firmly rooted in and inspired by the city. De Piaggi sees the gallery as an “avant-garde monitor” and uses his connection with the underground music scenes of Amsterdam as a medium for what’s going on. Its goal is to recognize, develop and view forms of art like sculpture , painting, printing, photography, architecture, video and music art. Radar “captures” all artistic ways that are radical, true and intense at the same time. Radar is actively searching for young artists who are taking their first steps in the right direction for this reason. Nisja, Laser 3.14, Marcel Ozymantra, Dirk Polak, to name just just some, are the ones represented by Radar.