News — Oct 8, 2024

The Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam received the European Art Museum Award last Saturday. This European award is dedicated to museum projects that use art in an innovative, progressive and creative way to address current social issues. The Stedelijk is commended for taking a new direction that focuses on making art accessible to diverse audiences and offering a platform for diversity, inclusivity and social engagement. 

The jury praised the Stedelijk as “a leading museum for modern and contemporary art and design in the Netherlands, with a strong national and international reputation.” The report particularly noted that the museum “stands out for its structural commitment to fundamental change, recalibrating the permanent collection thanks to a wider range of voices and perspectives.” The jury also praised the museum’s efforts to better reflect society and ensure greater transparency and accountability. The new exhibitions and acquisitions reflect, in the eyes of the jury, a global outlook and a commitment to a fairer and more hopeful world. 

The European Art Museum Award highlights the social importance of art museums and honours projects that place art in new contexts to shed light on current social challenges. The values this award celebrates – such as gender equality, community building and social equity – align seamlessly with the mission of the Stedelijk to create a place where everyone feels welcome and heard. 

Rein Wolfs, director of the Stedelijk Museum: “This award is a huge honour and a confirmation of our commitment to using art as a tool for social engagement and change. We are proud that our new direction is receiving international recognition. The Stedelijk is a place where art is not only shown but questioned. We want to build bridges and spark conversations that are essential for a just, inclusive society.” 

In recent years, the Stedelijk has presented numerous innovative projects and exhibitions, always seeking new ways to engage audiences and look at current issues from different perspectives. Now, by winning the European Art Museum Award, our efforts have been recognised at European level.