14 Dec 2024 - 1 Jun 2025
14 Dec 2024 - 1 Jun 2025
Amsterdam Museum on the AmstelGift to the city
Without women, Amsterdam would not exist. Their presence has made the city possible, as well as shaped it. But the male perspective dominates the history books. The exhibition Women of Amsterdam – an ode, starting December 14, seeks to change this, paying tribute to the vital role women have played in the city.
For the 750th anniversary of Amsterdam, we are expanding on the city’s history.
This special exhibition, created from a call for the public to pay tribute to women who have shaped Amsterdam, brings together the many odes submitted. The exhibition offers a unique opportunity to learn about these women and their contributions to the city in a personal and moving way.
Women who shaped the city
In the exhibition, visitors are introduced to more than a hundred women who have left their mark on the city over the centuries, from inspiring artists to influential entrepreneurs, and from tireless activists to dedicated figures in working-class neighborhoods. Women who have each contributed or meant something to the city of Amsterdam and its inhabitants are thrust into the spotlight, whether through an object from the collection or a personal item on loan. Their story, and why they mattered, is told.
Contemporary art
Ten artists and designers were asked by the Amsterdam Museum to create a new work for the exhibition. Mina Abouzahra, Tyna Adebowale, Danielle Alhassid, Mounira Al Solh, Yamuna Forzani and Céline Hurka, Jan Hoek and Duran Lantink, Çiğdem Yüksel, Charlott Markus, Sarah van Sonsbeeck, Studio L A, Hedy Tjin They drew inspiration from women who made an impact on them, and therefore on Amsterdam.
International Women's Day
Celebrate International Women's Day at the Amsterdam Museum!
On Saturday, March 8, from 2.00 to 5.00 pm, the Amsterdam Museum is devoted to International Women's Day. As part of the exhibition Women of Amsterdam - an ode, we are organizing a special afternoon with workshops, theatre performances, tours and music celebrating the visibility, power and influence of women in the city.
Women in the spotlight
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Swipe to discover
Guided tour
Discover Amsterdam through the eyes of Amsterdam women and their works.
We delve into the past with famous women such as Aletta Jacobs and Thérèse Schwartze, but also encounter lesser-known women such as Sara de Swart.
Podcast
Jouw commentaren zijn altijd bijzonder. Je beschikt over het vermogen om problemen te ontrafelen, verrassende argumenten aan te dragen en dat alles met een prachtig taalgebruik. Door dat alles blijft je werk springlevend door de jaren heen.”
Hedy d'Ancona
Je schrijfwerk, je activisme en hoe congruent je bent met je acties hebben niet alleen vrouwen en mannen van alle leeftijden geïnspireerd, maar ook cis- en transmensen, mensen die hier geboren zijn, en mensen die nieuw zijn – zoals ik.”
Alejandra Ortiz
Schrijver, oprichter Papaya Kuir
We strijden omdat u liet zien dat strijden verschil maakt dat volhoudend loont.”
Lize Korpershoek
Documentaire, illustratie
Jij kon niet lezen of schrijven, nu word ik betaald om woorden te schrijven. Hiermee is de cirkel bijna rond, of misschien is deze wel nooit rond. Want ook al woon jij hier niet meer, je sporen leven voort in ons.”
Kübra Terzi
Schrijver en communicatiestrateeg
Deze brief is een eerbetoon, aan een pionier onder de Afro-Amsterdammers die het DNA van onze geliefde stad mede heeft vormgegeven.”
Ayaan Abukar
Schrijver
Net zoals zo veel andere vrouwen bestaat jouw verhaal uit flarden en fragmenten die ik in elkaar puzzel, als een boek waar de helft van de pagina’s zijn uitgescheurd – de rode draad kan ik nog volgen, maar de details zijn deels vergaan.”
Dorine Maat
Onderzoeker/curator
Een ode aan jou, lieve Aaïcha, dat jouw leven niet zonder betekenis voorbij is gegaan.”
Tammie Schoots
Journalist
Syl, je bent historisch. Jouw impact in dit land is onmeetbaar, zelfs voor een historicus als ik.”
Hasret Emine
Historicus en schrijver
Bedankt lieve Weyntgen, dat je ons voor bent gegaan in het brouwproces en met liefde, toewijding en gevoel voor precisie in de 16e eeuw al bier brouwde in het hart van Amsterdam.”
Gebrouwen door Vrouwen
Bierbrouwers
Je was er ook echt trots op dat je een eigen zaak had. Je was een ondernemer in hart en nieren.”
Margriet Schavemaker
Artistic Director
Girls On Top
An ode to young makers
As part of the exhibition Women of Amsterdam - an ode, young makers from Amsterdam are exploring different perspectives on gender, identity, and feminism. Their work will be periodically shown as pop-up exhibitions under the title Girls On Top on Studio Panorama. In doing this, we provide a platform for the voices of a new generation.
Special platform with odes
International Women’s Day 2024 signaled the start of Women of Amsterdam – an ode. On that day, the Amsterdam Museum called on everyone to dedicate an ode to a woman who holds some significance for the city and share it via an online platform. The museum has already received hundreds of odes to women, and it’s not too late to still make a submission. Many of the women about whom an ode was submitted are highlighted in the exhibition Women of Amsterdam – an ode.
Ode to Fong Leng
Everything Fong Leng did and made was new and different. Her fabulous creations were worn by famous women such as living art work Mathilde Willink and singer Kate Bush. Her 'Studio Fong Leng' in PC Hoofstraat was a store out of thousands. Everyone came to look at her shop window, even I liked to .....
Ode to Majoor Bosshardt
We see birth cards and Christmas cards from Dutch celebrities everywhere, including some handwritten by Queen Beatrix and Máxima and Willem-Alexander.
Cup of tea?
I'll make you a cup of tea
It won't take long.....
Also for kids
In this exhibition, children (8+) can also discover the exciting stories of extraordinary Amsterdam women! Through a free children's audio tour, children learn all about what women have meant to the city. And they are challenged to think about what they themselves can contribute to the city.
Which woman called herself a “living work of art”? Who was the richest woman in Amsterdam 200 years ago? And why are so many stories about women never told? The children's audio tour is free with a visit to the exhibition.
Please note: The children's audio tour is only available in Dutch
Made possible by
The exhibition is made possible by the Cultuurfonds, Fonds 21, Cultuurloket DigitALL, Nederlands Letterenfonds, Mondriaan Fonds and Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie . The Amsterdam Museum is structurally supported by Main Beneficiary Gemeente Amsterdam, Founder VriendenLoterij and Main Partner Education ELJA Foundation.