Foam

A must visit every time I’m in Amsterdam! Repeatedly always delivering incredible exhibitions in a beautiful environment. Also the most extensive selection of Foam Magazine archives in their store at the entrance. Our group of friends ended up spending several hours at Foam because of the incredible exhibitions they were showing in October 2025.

We were there a few weeks ago and they had amazing installations. One from an Iranian artist which impressed me because I am Iranian too and felt close to me. A section was dedicated to the secret photographers during the second world war and I loved that too. Take a look at the photos you will be impressed. And their exhibitions change every now and then!!

I didn’t expect such a big collection of photos, you can spend quite some time in there if you want to really get into the story. I liked the display of each collection, creative and aesthetically pleasant. Great photographs, amazing histories behind them, you can get to know about the Dutch in Suriname, Amsterdam during a WWII - this one was particularly touching, and some others. There is also a cafe and a small shop - this one could be a little bit bigger!

Honestly perhaps the best permanent photography museum I have seen: centered around still life, photo journalism, bit of fashion. Loads of content, the building itself is a fun maze, ~30min to check it all out.

I really enjoy this museum a lot ! It's in the middle of Amsterdam but It's so nice and quiet and you can really immerse yourself in the art. I already visited 2 times in the last months and the exhibitions where always very interesting and relevant. Totally recommend going there if you have the time ✨️

A great museum. Not very big, but the exhibitions are top-notch. Definitely worth a visit.

As I moved through the rooms of FOAM, I felt suspended between histories, ideas, and emotions — fitting for Blommers & Schumm’s Mid-Air, a title that seems to describe the entire experience. The exhibition plays with the boundaries of perception: photographs so meticulously composed — two pencils, two plastic cups bridged by a ruler, the smooth fall of hair becoming architecture — that they seem to hover between order and absurdity. Beneath their surface perfection, I sensed questions about balance, identity, and the longing for control in an uncertain world. That sense of suspension deepened when I entered Augusta Curiel’s Yere Mi Sten. Her early 20th-century images of Suriname touched me in a way that felt both intimate and uneasy. With my own Surinamese roots, I couldn’t help but read them through personal memory. What struck me immediately was how light-skinned most of the people in her photographs were — a visual reminder of colorism, the inherited hierarchy that privileges lighter skin and proximity to whiteness within postcolonial societies. It’s not just history; it’s something still present in Suriname today, shaping how people are seen and valued. Curiel’s portraits, whether intentionally or not, reveal that social stratification. Yet her gaze remains empathetic, dignified — she made the invisible visible, even within the limits of her time. And then came Co Rentmeester’s Jumpman — a jolt of energy and defiance. Seeing his photograph of a young Michael Jordan soaring across the page of LIFE magazine, alongside his battered Nikon camera enclosed in glass, hit me hard. This wasn’t just an image; it was a statement about authorship and justice. I found it deeply inspiring that Rentmeester, a Dutchman, had the courage to take on Nike in court — not for fame, but for fairness. He fought to assert that creative work has value, that images are not merely commodities but acts of intellect and vision. Nearby, a haunting photo showed him after being shot while documenting the Vietnam War — a reminder that his commitment to truth literally risked his life. Together, those two moments — the triumph of Jumpman and the vulnerability of a wounded reporter — reveal a man who saw the world with both precision and courage. His scarred camera, wrapped in tape and still capable of seeing, felt like a perfect symbol of resilience: art as endurance. By the time I circled back to Khashayar Javanmardi’s The Caspian, the exhibition felt like a continuum of breath. His video, steeped in Persian myth and digital memory, spoke of rebirth and transformation — of how cultures, like images, never die but constantly evolve. Leaving FOAM, I felt gratitude for what these artists had in common: the courage to look. Curiel, Rentmeester, Blommers & Schumm, Javanmardi — each in their own way wrestles with visibility, truth, and the weight of representation. Together they form a conversation across centuries and continents about who gets to be seen and on whose terms. Photography, I realized, doesn’t simply capture; it confronts. It asks us to look again — not weightlessly, but with awareness. And perhaps that’s what Mid-Air really means: learning to see the world in suspension, between beauty and justice, between light and its shadow.

One of my favourite art spaces in Amsterdam, and truly among the best in Europe. A remarkable photography museum that offers brilliantly diverse and inclusive exhibitions throughout the year.

I came to visit FOAM on recommendation of a friend. There was an Gordon Parks exhibit on (and if it is still there at the time of your reading this.... highly, highly recommend taking it in.). The space is a tiny bit confusing due to signage as it is a tight space and sort of turns in on itself. I found myself a couple of times wondering if I had wandered into gallery space or staff space. Docents are few to save you from your folly. But never mind, they are pretty laid back bunch. There is a small gift shop reflecting on the usual myriad of merchandise from current exhibits and other stuff. The cafe is downstairs and seemed to be filled with people who were sitting and drinking tea or coffee as there was nothing that I could tell of, worth eating. I am giving 5 stars because the GORDON PARKS EXHIBIT is worth the effort, and then some. I give full props to the curators for their efforts on procuring this phenomenal body of work.

Very cool photography-focused Museum in the heart of Amsterdam. Saw a mind-altering exhibit "Despair" and short "Face in the Crowd" by Alex Prager. And a hard-hitting exhibit "Prince Street Girls" focused on adolescence-to-young adulthood transition by Susan Meiselas. Super awesome and worth the trek.

Great museum area in the great Dutch musea tradition. Smack in the center of Amsterdam. It looks like a small place, looking at the tiny entrance but the museum in quite ample on 4 floors, the ground one for cafe and services. Only photograph shows, with ever changing spaces and colors. If you are a tourist do not get discouraged from the only photo show and get a spin. Classic place to get to now and then for Amsterdammers. Nice reception and very nice and young personnel.

Do yourself a favor and skip this place. I have been to art museums and photography galleries all over the world, and this one was one of the most nonsensical and disappointing. First of all, a whole floor was closed off for a private event, and we were not told about this when we bought our tickets. The exhibitions themselves make no sense and can barely be considered art - and believe me, I have seen lots of avant garde stuff. One exhibit consisted of a guy's selfies with random women, another one had metal sculptures with pieces of fabric draped over it, and another one consisted of unremarkable photos taken in Haiti. The layout was also extremely confusing. Lots of staircases leading to nowhere.

I found FOAM to be a sublime and surreal experience. In a beautiful canal house in the heart of Amsterdam is this totally weird, totally amazing, experiential and immersive museum that is unlike any I have visited before. Also not a tourist trap like pretty much every other major museum in Amsterdam where crowds distract from the art. I wandered through the galleries for about two hours, up and down narrow staircases, as well as a main central modern staircase. The architecture was something special. It felt like old Amsterdam while also a modern museum. There was a brilliantly curated book and art store on the top floor that in some ways felt like I just stumbled upon and discovered, even though I know most everyone who visits probably makes their way up there. FOAM is clearly a platform for diverse voices representing the complexity of human experiences, which I think is critically important in today's art world. A fantastic mix of old and new, I wish I lived nearby so I could visit current and upcoming shows too.

I was not super impressed with this museum, however the special exhibit was Ai WeiWei so it was def worth a stop in. This museum is very small and generally seems to have 3 or so different exhibits going on at a time. It is definitely a one of a kind type place so if you have an extra hour or so you should give it a whirl.

Located on one of the canals in A'Dam is this small yet interesting photography museum. The shows are varied, and Id encourage you to see what's on exhibit before you go. Would not want you to be offended, and on occasion some might be. The photography is cool, the location is very nice as well. Its easy walking from all over Amsterdam, and who doesn't like to walk along the canals? We lived on the Keizersgracht for a time and I know the area well. You can come here and see the Anne Frank House the same morning. Although you will have very different experiences at them. Then go pick up some flowers at the Singel Market.

Always intruiging exhibitions, interesting topics and a good set-up. FOAM is a little bit of a hidden gem in the Amsterdam landscape of museums and is often overlooked. No wonder why - it's small, not located on the busy Museumplein and hey, it is hard to compete with "the big guys" like Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh and Stedelijke. However, it is definitely worth to pay a visit to FOAM as it will for sure positively surprise you. An exhibition of the photos taken shortly after the 9-11 or the collection of the best works of the Japanese photographer Araki has made a serious impact on me. Which is remarkable as I am usually not the biggest fan of photographic art.

Visited on a recommendation during vacation to Amsterdam. A full tour requires about an hour. Love that they try to dedicate all rooms for visitors to enter. Navigating the floors and staircases was enjoyable for me, though confusing for some. For its size, the different exhibitions were well organized and laid out. +1 star for the wonderful André Kertész display!

Quite nice facilities, but the exhibitions were actually a bit disappointing, sadly enough. Quite few and not very interesting either. Nice, but not what I expected, especially not for a place that charges 8 euros each for students.

This photography museum is one of a kind. The photos & artists on exhibition are always very intriguing and makes me think outside of my environment or own beliefs. I recently bought the museumkaart (€60 per year), which allows me to see all museums in Amsterdam for free, because I wanted to see more of this museum (and free access to the others is a good plus). To be honest, I'm not really a museum guy. I'm not the person to go on vacation and wait in line to see a museum...that has always been a waste of time...to me. However this museum is different. The exhibitions don't require great knowledge or cultural background. I love this museum so much that it's actually the place I take my first dates. After a short walk from Centraal Station, we go to this museum and compare what the photographs mean to each other. If you're new to art then this museum is the place for you. It's not too big of a museum so you can have a cultural time, in about an hour, without the long waiting queues of other big museums in Amsterdam.

Kind of interesting and I guess this museum is ever changing. We happened to come when the the exhibition was a 3 part film series. I loved the fact that we got to lay on the ground on bolsters watching a film in a fort about ayauasca. This place definitely is an eye opener and makes you thing outside the box. If you are open to something fun and different check it out!

I came on a Thursday evening. Most of the third floor was closed for a private event (and was not told upon entering). One exhibit is about a horny teenagers journey to get laid and find a wife via "womanizing" techniques. Another gallery is about a photographer visiting Haiti and taking photos of random interesting things. The photographs didn't make me feel anything or allow me to understand more about the conditions in Haiti. I thought it was poorly executed. The final exhibit was inkjet printed clothes laid on various structures. Maybe it's just me but I really did not understand that. To top off the experience, the gallery's layout is very confusing - random staircases that leads to nowhere and little signage on how you're supposed to traverse the place. I really don't understand why this place is so hyped up.

Such a cool museum! There are always special exhibits of both Dutch and international photographers and artists mixed in with the permanent collection. There is a good mix of photography: b/w, people, objects, abstract, etc from various sources. There is also a very interesting exhibit called "Afronauts" documenting an African country's ambitions to start their very own space program. I liked it a lot. The only knock I have on this place is that it's not that big and that it needs to be bigger!! Hopefully when you read this review, decide to go, and contribute to the swell of other visitors who went because of this review, they'll have to expand! :)

Although the Vivian Maier exhibit was terrific, this museum has some limitations. The major problem is the physical space, which can be charming when it's not crowded and a real headache when it is. I was not able to see the introductory text and photos at the beginning of the exhibit at all, as it was located in a narrow hallway. No matter how long I stood there and tried to maneuver, it was impossible. The gallery space beyond that hallway was actually pretty spacious, so this was a strange choice. The "shop" is really sparsely stocked. The cafe is pleasant, but they had run out of every kind of milk by the end of the day, so even a cup of coffee was a stretch. (Beware what they call appeltaart here; it's just apples baked in puff pastry, a real disappointment.) The actual photography was beautifully curated and really gave a sense of Maier's body of work. But it's not enough to justify the €11.50 admission fee.

One of my favorite museums in Amsterdam. It's small. Finding your way around could be a little easier but I think that's one of the appeals of Foam - small enough to not to be overwhelming but a great space to get lost in and discover new talent. Definitely a must see for photography fans. Free for Museum Card holders. Membership to the museum is also pretty well priced and it includes cross membership to other fantastic photography museums around the world, including Fotografiska in Stockholm (one of my faves!).

What a neat place for photography! The main exhibit was the Swinging 60's in London. All the prints were well lit, easy to navigate, and presented a very nice story from beginning to end. It's the last point that makes this place great. So many galleries are just out-of-sequence images that leave you scratching your head. You know what you saw but you can't piece it all together into a cohesive stories. I might as well do random google images searches! The little bookstore area had some interesting books but the post card selection was a little slim. I would have liked to see more prints from the current exhibition. Maybe foam couldn't secure the licensing. Oh well ... I take one star off because the cafe had flies buzzing around when I was there. Still, the exhibit halls are well worth the price of admission!

This really is the place for the photography lovers. They have great exhibitions and I'm never disappointed. The place is not that big, although the rooms are spacious. If you go during the week in the mornings I believe you can almost have the place to yourself, with very little people around. After lunch there are higher chances that school trips will arrive, people will come during lunch break and more tourists will come too. I always go in the mornings (during week days) and haven't really had a problem. If the place becomes too crowded, it can be a real headache, so try to take a quick scan before you go in. The museum shop is a bit pricey so I would recommend you just search for those picture books on amazon or other online shops though (I know, I know, museum shops are always pricey!) I've been there recently to check out the Araki's solo exhibit and was blown away. Very well organised. Any exhibition they have will be worth the price, and if you have a museumcard be sure to visit this place often for some inspiration!

Go in for inspiration, come out longing for more. I saw foam for the first time this past MuseumNacht and loved it, even though it was very crowded. The space is a bit cramped and you're bound to be mindful about accidentally damaging a picture on the wall. The museum expands vertically, though, and you could almost never stop climbing the stairs up to some new exhibit. Last time around I saw pictures from an exhibit about driving around the US and snapping up pictures from inside the car. It was really interesting and inspiring. Location is very central and easily accessed by train, tram, or by bike. Check it out while you're in the city. You might even pick up a new hobby.

Looking to do something cultural in Amsterdam and you've already been to the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House? Check out Foam, you will not be disappointed. I was really impressed by the photography here and also the lay out. It was easy to move between rooms and make sure that you saw every piece of artwork. The great thing was that it wasn't too crowded, so you never really felt rushed to keep it moving and get out of people's way. I enjoyed the fact that each room seemed to be set in a different theme ranging from happy to dark to just plain old weird! Definite must visit for someone looking to do something different in Amsterdam.

I love photography. I loved this museum. You walk in and it's the museum store and ticket office. It was a little confusing who was in line for what. No big dilly-o. The displays of books etc. made me want to buy one of everything. The cafe downstairs had a decent coffee with milk. I happened to visit when the Joel Sternfeld, Stanley Greene, and Sara-Lena Maierhofer collections were on display and it was a pretty captivating collection of works I had not seen before. You should totally make a point of stopping my here.

This museum probably isn't for everyone. Larry Clark's work (Teenage Lust and Tulsa) were here when we visited. I found it interesting, but some people would find it deeply offensive. I think if you love photography and are relatively open minded, you will like what you find here.

Had been wanting to go visit this Gallery but was disappointed with the shows being exhibited. On the plus side I liked the building and I think it is an interesting exhibition space. My advice is to carefully check the calibre of show they have on before going. I know it's my opinion but two of the three shows could have done with some serious editing and I thought the third was just pretentious nonsense.

If you love photography and art in general Foam is really worth a visit. The museum isn't very big, I was inside for about an hour but I must say I usually go through museums quite fast since I have a short attention span. There are all kind of expositions in this museum and they also change frequently. You will find anything here, from fashion photography to historic photographs (black&white Russian pictures hand coloured afterwards) and much more interesting things. There is also a nice museum shop and a good restaurant at this place so if you like you could spent quite a while in here.

I visited FOAM in 2007, I went there with the notion that I wanted to visit this museum. I found it very hard to get info on it when I was in the UK but I did find it! And it was a very good find. As I am an adept of photography it was a must see place in Amsterdam! The only obstacle was to get there! All the streets look the same that I needed 2/3 hours to get there (my sense of orientation isn't the best). But eventually I got there and it was worth it! The building itself is really pretty! On the outside just like any other Amsterdam house but when inside, Wow! The decoration and the glass bridges they have there for you to go through the different exhibitions! Stylish! It is really a nice place to go! I even crashed in at an opening! All posh and filled with Champagne! Good stuff, they even had a dog in there which for me reveals an open minded attitude which adds points to it! The exhibitions are always changing and it is a very good option to drop by! I highly recommend it!

Foam is a very nice small museum with interesting exhibitions. If you like photography, you'll love Foam. If you don't, I think you will still love it. Oh and there's a great museum cafe too. Do try their chocolate cake!

The exhibitions here are interesting. I'm not a big photography fan, but I found enough to keep me busy for a few hours. The down sides to this place are that the gift shop is pretty small and doesn't carry much interesting stuff, and there are some places that are inaccessible by stroller or wheelchair. There is a slow elevator that will get you to all the main levels, but there are a few small in-between levels that are only accessible by a narrow staircase. I found myself torn between seeing all the photographs in the exhibition and leaving my baby alone for a few minutes in a gallery. What a dilemma! At least the front desk guy was willing to help me carry my stroller down the front steps of the gallery, so that was something. But yeah, they don't have a ramp to get in the front door or anything, so that is not cool.

Great collection. I'm not a fan of modern photography exhibition, for most of them are crap. Foam blew me away. Give body of work; great curation. The museum is small, so you won't drop more than 60-90 mins in there.

I love photography, and they have interesting and frequently changing exhibits. Although it's small, the layout is funny and always gives me the impression I've missed something. But overall it's a nice place to clear your head for half an hour.

Went in summer of 2014. Was the only disappointment of the museums in Amsterdam that I visited. It may just be personal taste but I found the active exhibits to be not terribly thought-provoking or viscerally interesting and the setting feels only slightly nicer than an ordinary art gallery. But the museum curators seem to mean well so if there is an exhibit that would interest you, it may be worth checking out.

Although being the very definition of a anonymous (white) local for art exhibitions, it pretty much nails that concept very well and hence fulfill it's purpose. It's a nice place.

photography is my point-and-shoot doing all the work. i was amazed by the exhibits i saw at this museum - photos take on new dimensions. what people can do with lighting, people, and objects? everything and beyond! the subjects can very glamorous - the first time i saw the traveling exhibit of richard avedon's works (which i saw again in san francisco and new york) and the second was by charlotte dumas - interesting perspective on animals. for natives and tourists alike, it's a must, especially if you have the yearly museum pass!

Really enjoy photography but was a little disappointed with the exhibition on display. I know they rotate thing through frequently but if you plan on going be sure to research what's on display before you pay the €9.50 admission.

Easy to find as there were street signs to direct. Caught a Johan Van De Keuken exhibit that was well curated. The cafe is nice, and the magazines to look through are great. Definitely worth a stop if you're a fan of photography.

Very nice small museum with different exhibitions on photography. Some of them very disturbing, at least when I visited, but also contemporary photography at its finest. Although the museum seemed like a maze to me, you will be rewarded with great works if you find all the little rooms with exhibits. They also sell some related books on photography and their own magazine there.