Exhibition space for contemporary art in the former Theosophist temple on the Tolstraat in Amsterdam-De Pijp, founded in 1975 as a venue for performance and video.
September 12, 2026 – November 21, 2026
New edition of a research and exhibition project from 2006 that asks how social class shapes the production and perception of contemporary art – with archival material and new contributions by Özgür Atlagan and Alina Lupu.
December 12, 2026 – February 12, 2027
The collective Subversive Film edits together scenes of public assemblies from militant films of anti-colonial and social movements; the spatial design is by Iswanto Hartono. A collaboration with NW in Aalst.
De Appel was founded in 1975 on the initiative of Wies Smals, making it one of the oldest non-commercial institutions for contemporary art in the Netherlands. In its early years on the Brouwersgracht, it made an international name for itself as a stage for what were then emerging art forms such as performance, installation and video; guests included Marina Abramović, Laurie Anderson, Chris Burden and Gina Pane.
Under Saskia Bos (1984–2006), de Appel became an internationally recognized venue for young artistic positions; in 1994 it added the Curatorial Programme, a training course lasting several months for aspiring curators that continues to this day. The institution moved several times – via Prinseneiland, the Nieuwe Spiegelstraat and the Prins Hendrikkade to a former school building on the Schipluidenlaan in Nieuw-West. Ann Demeester was followed by Lorenzo Benedetti, Niels Van Tomme and Monika Szewczyk; since 2023 Lara Khaldi has been the artistic director.
In early 2024 de Appel moved into Tolstraat 160 in the Diamantbuurt. The fan-shaped building by Jan Brinkman and Leendert van der Vlugt was built in 1927 as the assembly hall of the Theosophical Society, later served as the Cinétol cinema, a mosque and a library, and is now a protected Rijksmonument (national monument); because of its shape, de Appel itself describes it as UFO-like.
In addition to changing exhibitions, de Appel runs a public events program, the education program Embedded Art in schools and the neighborhood, and an archive and art library documenting its own exhibition history since 1975.
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Students, local residents from the neighborhood and Uitpas holders |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 18 · Ages 0–18 free |
| Seniors | –No senior discount in the price list |
| Students & apprentices | €3 |
| Groups | –Group and study visits with an introduction by arrangement |
Free with the Museumkaart; also free with an ICOM card and the Stadspas. The Museumkaart can be purchased at the reception desk. Members of the press with a valid press card are admitted free.
The exhibition space can only be reached by stairs; a stair climber operated by the gallery attendants is available for visitors with limited mobility. Part of each exhibition (usually videos or documentation) is also shown on the first floor (information according to the 2025 annual report).
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 18 |
|---|
Children and young people up to age 18 are admitted free. The program is mainly aimed at adults; occasionally there are exhibitions especially for children (in 2025, for example, CaccHho CucchhA by Mercedes Azpilicueta).
Van Woustraat · 5-min walk
Tram to the Van Woustraat stop, then about a 5-minute walk.
No on-site parking at the museum.
No dedicated parking; paid street parking (hourly rate) in the surrounding streets.
By bike about 6 minutes from Sarphatipark and about 10 minutes from Oosterpark. The building is recognizable by its fan-like or UFO-like shape.
Get directionsOnline bookshop (Boekenwinkel) with publications, editions and music; orders can be picked up on site.
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
| School programs | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Education program Embedded Art with offerings for primary and secondary schools, plus a program for young aspiring curators (Tiener Curatoren). Accompanying programs are often in English. |
Cookies help you use this website. We only load the map and statistics with your consent.
