You can find other museums outside of museum square so do not limit yourself to only museumplein. These were some of my favourite in Amsterdam.
Tropen Museum
I loved this museum about world cultures and diversity! I think it is a little hidden gem which most people visiting Amsterdam do not know about which also means it is less busier than other museums. As it was out of tourist season when I visited I pretty much had the museum to myself to enjoy!
Museum Website: https://www.tropenmuseum.nl/
As I walked into the entrance hall I instantly thought of the Natural History Museum in London. I saw and watched some videos on a large screen when Shadia Mansour’s track Al Kufiyee 3arabeyyeh featuring M1 (Dead Prez) was playing.
The Dutch are really open about their history of colonisation, where the artefacts from this museum had come from and the effects it’s had on societies, which I really respected. I’ve never seen such openness from British museums. In another exhibit I found this Japanese warrior costume as part of a collection of goods ceased by the dutch.
There were many intriguing exhibitions but I really liked this collection of Islamic art which featured an interactive calligraphy.
There was an interesting exhibition exploring gender expectations and stereotypes which I thought was really interesting. It showed images of men and women in reverse gender roles and even explored the gender stereotypes of fictional characters and superheros – such as superman who needed to be ‘strong’.
I really liked seeing this more current event included June 24th 2018 – the day women could drive cars in Saudi – This jacket had the date embroided in gold.
There was also an exhibition on the ‘afterlives of slavery’ which was really thought provoking.
I would highly recommend this museum, there is a lot to see and do at the museum and a nice little cafe / restaurant downstairs.
Address: Linnaeusstraat 2, 1092 CK Amsterdam, Netherlands
