STRAAT Museum — Museum Review | Condé Nast Traveler
"Zoom out. What’s this place all about? Graffiti fans, rejoice: Amsterdam now has a second museum devoted to street art—and it’s a doozy. Occupying a colossal warehouse in the former shipbuilding area of NDSM, STRAAT has some 86,000 square feet of exhibition space inside, while outside, its façade is plastered in murals—including a huge kaleidoscope-like portrait of a smiling Anne Frank by Brazilian street art legend Eduardo Kobra. A museum's permanent collection is its defining feature: How was this one? Unlike the city’s Moco Museum , which focuses on established names like Banksy and Keith Haring, STRAAT seeks out cutting-edge and emerging talent, with more than 130 artists from 32 countries represented in its 150-plus-strong collection. Works fill the vast industrial space, hanging from steel beams and scattered around the cement floor. They are loosely divided into five somewhat abstract themes, but really, it’s worth just roaming around and stopping at whatever catches your eye. Exhibits keep us coming back. What can we expect? While the museum is mainly about the permanent collection, temporary shows in the mezzanine gallery showcase smaller-scale works by up-and-coming graffiti artists. Don’t miss the Panorama Terrace, which provides amazing views of the entire museum from high above. Do keep in mind that this is a giant industrial space and doesn’t have heating, so if it’s cold out, dress accordingly, as it will be just as chilly inside. What did you make of the crowd? Since it takes a bit of effort to get here, involving a 15-minute (free) ferry ride across the IJ River from Centraal Station, you can easily avoid the hordes of tourists that descend on the city center museums. Most visitors skew young and hip—not surprising given the subject matter and its location, in the heart of trendy NDSM. Weekends tend to be busier, but given the sheer size of the space, it never feels crowded. Ages 12 and under get free admission, and the big, colorful works are quite appealing to youngsters, but you’re unlikely to see many here. On the practical tip, how were the facilities? The warehouse is very much a raw, unfinished space, with the floor uneven in places, so you should tread somewhat carefully. As the collection is largely housed on one main floor, it shouldn’t be a problem for anyone with mobility issues; however, the Panorama Terrace isn’t wheelchair-accessible. Any guided tours worth trying? If you want to dive deeper into the stories behind the artwork, consider booking one of the weekend guided tours. They’re conducted by Alltournative , whose guides also provide graffiti and street art tours in Amsterdam. Gift shop: obligatory, inspiring—or skip it? Along with books, stickers, and typical gift shop fare, you can find original artworks and the artists’ own merch—so it’s worth a stop. Is the café worth a stop? The café, on the second and third floors, has a cool, industrial vibe, with exposed brick walls, huge windows, and steel girders. Any advice for the time- or attention-challenged? Even though the museum is large, the works themselves are, too. That means you can easily tour the space in about an hour. Just be sure to budget time for the 15-minute ferry ride back to Amsterdam Centraal." - Jennifer Ceaser
