MUSEUMNACHT
AMSTERDAM


For
Amsterdam Museum

In collaboration with

Babette Kolff 

Role
Creative Concept Development
Program & Production

Huis Willet-Holthuysen represents a historical significant collection, donated to the city of Amsterdam by the wealthy artloving couple Abraham and Louisa. This remarkable house offers visitors a unique glimpse into a bygone era. During Museumnacht, Babette Kolff and I were given the opportunity by the Amsterdam Museum to develop an innovative public program designed to engage a younger audience and encourage them to experience this heritage through a contemporary lens. Together, we conceived and realized the concept ‘House of Collectives’.

In this program, five leading Amsterdam-based collectives – Patchwork Family, Le Trou Collective, Dream Unit, Werker Collective, and SAAC – took over the house for a radical reinterpretation of cultural heritage. These collectives broke away from the traditional frameworks of the museum, creating a living archive that asked: how do we preserve and reflect on the cultural innovations of today and tomorrow, especially those emerging from underground communities? Do we need alternative methods of preservation, distinct from how this house is maintained by the museum, to honor these contemporary movements?

Contributions from collectives like Werker Collective and Patchwork Family highlighted themes such as identity, power, and inclusion—issues deeply intertwined with the history of Huis Willet-Holthuysen. Through contrasting archival methods and fresh perspectives, the program bridged past and present, making it not only relevant but also impactful. For this project, Babette and I were responsible for the concept, programming, and full production. The result was a dynamic experience that invited visitors to rediscover the historic space through a contemporary lens.


Photo credits
Sacha Hoebergen 
Flora Madu