In Zuidas, we are working closely with businesses and institutions to create an attractive cultural climate, in which art lovers, artists and creative entrepreneurs can feel at home. We also encourage artistic and creative initiatives by residents, employees and other users of the area.
There are already countless good reasons to come to Zuidas in search of art and culture. Various major organisations hold art collections that are of national and international interest. These include the publicly accessible collections held by the AkzoNobel Art Space, ABN AMRO and VU Art Science Gallery – three collaborating parties – and the BPD collection. The changing art collection at the new courthouse, which opened in 2021, is also worth a look.
AkzoNobel Art Space
New Courthouse
Museum of modern art
In 2021, we announced a museum of modern art was to be established in the former courthouse building in Parnassusweg. Rather than developing its own collection, the museum intends to host the work of other artists. A selection of the art that they create will be gifted to the Netherlands’ National Collection. By doing this, the initiator of the museum, the Hartwig Art Foundation, aims to make a contribution to the collections of the future.
Museum old courthouse
Jan Vonk
Public space
Art is not only to be found within buildings, but also in the wider public realm. Permanent artworks, such as ‘Love and Generosity’ in the square in front of the new courthouse, the light artwork ‘White Noise’ in the Cellnex media tower, ‘Virtual Fountains’ in the local park opposite the RAI and the range of artworks in Beatrixpark, make the area more attractive.
Love or Generosity
White Noise
Virtual Fountains
Cultural hotspots
VU Amsterdam (Vrije Universiteit) is a major contributor to culture in Zuidas. The Rialto Film Theatre has been based in the New University Building in De Boelelaan since 2021. The same also applies to VU Griffioen, which stages theatre programmes and offers creative courses.
Art and culture grant scheme
Between 2021 and 2025, there are grants available totalling €150,000 per year for small and medium-sized cultural events. This is our way of attempting to make Zuidas even more attractive for residents and visitors.
If you live or work close to a major long-term infrastructure project, you will inevitably feel the effects. But not everyone’s thoughts turn immediately to disruption. In some people, it actually inspires creativity. Does that sound like you? If so, we want to hear from you.
Are you interested in finding out everything there is to experience in Zuidas? If so, 11 October 2025 is an ideal day for a visit, during ‘24 uur Zuid’ (24 hours of Zuid). You can easily combine it with the countless other activities that Amsterdam Zuid has to offer on that day.
Are you interested in organising a film festival, theatre production or concert in Zuidas? If so, you can still use the subsidy scheme for cultural events in 2025. Aimed at both private individuals and professional organisers, you can submit an application all year round.
In the Vivaldi neighbourhood, between EMA and Van der Valk, a building plot will be available for four years starting in 2026. We are challenging creative people from Amsterdam – and beyond – to come up with an exciting temporary use for it. Are you up to the challenge?
For ten days, we took you on a journey into the future. The future of Amsterdam Zuid station, the A10 Zuid, of living in Zuidas, architecture, and urban planning. You climbed towers, viewed art, attended a concert, and went on safari. A photographic retrospective.
The future residential district Ravel is having an open-air exhibition. Between 12 and 18 June 2025, nine street artists will be transforming 120 m of construction hoardings in Maurice Ravellaan into colourful street art. Come along and watch it live. Alternatively, you can join a guided tour.
Come along to Gustav Mahlerplein between 15.30 and 16.30 on Thursday, 19 June 2025. World-renowned musicians, including Imara Thomas, Ernst Munneke, Maria du Toit and Vera Kooper will be performing music by female composers. Admission is free of charge.
We are organising exciting additional activities during the Zuidas FutureFest (ToekomstTiendaagse), from 12 until 21 June 2025. Join us on a construction safari and spot the ‘construction Big 5’. And take a look at the Ravel residential district from a 3D viewing station. Don’t miss out.
Are you interested in the future of Zuidas? Between 12 and 21 June 2025, we will be taking you on a journey to the future, as part of Amsterdam’s FutureFest (ToekomstTiendaagse). You can find out what the new residential neighbourhoods will be like, join us as we take a look at the new Amsterdam Zuid station and much more besides.
Since January 2025, there has been an attractive bronze sculpture welcoming you to the WTC entrance in Beethovenstraat. Originally scheduled for removal after three months, The Ones, by artist Micky Hoogendijk, is now set to stay until March 2026.
Kapel is the white building (image: Marcel Steinbach)
The City of Amsterdam is in search of a temporary tenant for the listed Kapel building in Beatrixpark. The building must be used for the benefit of the public. Do you have a plan for a cultural or social amenity? If so, you can submit your plan now.
Monday, 27 January saw construction work start next to the old courthouse building in Parnassusweg and the name of the new museum for contemporary art was revealed: the Hartwig Museum. Until it opens in 2028, ‘Proxy’ will be providing a foretaste of what to expect.
In the Parnas neighbourhood, between Fred. Roeskestraat and Parnassusweg, much work is taking place behind the scenes. The renovation work on interior of the former court building is in full swing, and there are plans to build homes, offices, and a temporary sports hall. How are things progressing?
In the years ahead, RAI Amsterdam intends to develop the area around the convention centre. The aim is to provide more space for green areas, housing and amenities. Would you like to contribute your ideas? If so, complete the (brief) online questionnaire by 8 December 2024.
The completion of The Pulse of Amsterdam is set to bring a major boost of dynamism to Zuidas. An energetic blend of housing, office accommodation, hospitality & catering and a cinema will bring a lot of vibrancy to the Kenniskwartier innovation district, at any time of day. Our photographer was on hand to mark the occasion.
It’s not been there very long, but it is already a familiar sight: the Kunstbrug (‘art bridge’) over the De Boelegracht. This striking pedestrian bridge invites you to think about the relationship between art and architecture. And of course, you can also use it to stroll to Buitenveldert.
Are you interested in organising a film festival, theatre production or concert in Zuidas? It could be possible thanks to a new subsidy scheme especially for cultural events. Private individuals and professional organisers can apply at any time during the year.
Work started on the art bridge across De Boelegracht in May 2023. We started by placing foundations on the south bank (the Buitenveldert side) in preparation for the real work: installing the bridge later this year.
Exactly 50 years ago, on 12 April 1973, the VU Main Building opened its doors at De Boelelaan 1105. With a floor area of around nine hectares, it was one of Amsterdam’s largest and tallest buildings. There was not yet a trace of Zuidas to be seen.
After a six-year stint, David van Traa, director of Zuidas, is moving out of area development and into education and the arts. So, how has Zuidas changed? And how does he see the future? ‘Eventually, the untamed city will drift here of its own accord.’
The stunning new courthouse building is home to an extensive art collection that is also accessible to the public. It serves a very special purpose. ‘The art has a comforting effect in a place where very serious things happen.’
Thursday, 17 November saw the official opening of the newly relandscaped Europaplein-Oost. It creates a real meeting place for the neighbourhood, in a green and leafy setting that features a new play area. In the evenings, it will be brought to life by the Virtual Fountains light artwork.
Demolition work on the building in Zuidas known as Old School is set to start in November. The building is making way for housing and a small park. Before the demolition can start, several trees need to be felled. The bats in the Old School building will also be offered a new home.
The Streets of the World exhibition has been moved from Arnold Schönberglaan to Eduard van Beinumstraat, next to Zuidplein. As a result, this exhibition, featuring pictures of all 195 of the world’s capital cities, now has a great location within Zuidas. Come and see for yourself!
On 10 and 11 September 2022, thousands of monuments across the Netherlands will be opening their doors on Open Monuments Day (Open Monumentendag). In Zuidas, you can visit the monumental courthouse, the Burgerweeshuis (a former orphanage) or the Thomaskerk Church. The Zuidas Botanical Garden is also participating.
After a period of restrictions because of coronavirus, the Rialto VU movie theatre is now well and truly in business. From 20 to 27 August 2022, it will be the main venue for World Cinema Amsterdam, the annual festival featuring international movies, many of them by young directors.
Zuidas is much more than office blocks. Did you know, for example, that many public spaces in Zuidas are full of art? We have devised a walk that will show you 14 unique public works of art, and there’s even an audio tour to go with it. Try the Zuidas Art Tour today!
The restructuring work on Europaplein-Oost has been delayed by four months. We will also only be able to include 46 of the 55 parking spaces planned. The roots of some of the trees are too big, preventing us from paving the soil on top of them.
On six consecutive Fridays in May and June 2022, you can enjoy an art-themed walk through Zuidas. The route takes you past a variety of art collections and exhibitions, including an exhibition by the Bijbels Museum (‘Biblical Museum’) in Circl Pavilion.
More homes, more local services, more beautiful public spaces and major progress on the new transit hub... The work at Zuidas never stopped for a moment! And all this despite a second year of working from home. With our thanks to all the people who worked on all those construction sites, here’s a look back on all the progress we made in 2021.