H’ART Museum in Amsterdam

H’ART Museum Amsterdam (formerly Hermitage) is a major museum located on the Amstel in Amsterdam. It runs major art exhibitions in conjunction with the British Museum in London, Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

Between 2009-2022 it held regular exhibitions from the vast collection of the grand State Hermitage in St Petersburg, Russia. However, due to the deterioration of Western-Russian relations over Ukraine, the museum decided in March 2022 to cut ties with Russia.

In September 2023 the museum was rebranded as the H’ART Museum.

The museum is located on the banks of the river Amstel in a spectacular building which was opened in 1683 as the Diaconie Oude Vrouwen Huys – a sanctuary for older ladies. At the time it had the longest facade of any building in the country.

In 1817 it became an old people’s home for both men and women and was renamed Amstelhof in 1953. The home was finally closed in 2007 and the building was repurposed into a magnificent exhibition space, opening as the Hermitage in 2009.

From the Amstel side you enter via a short passageway into a pleasant courtyard garden. This is home to 3 ancient chestnut trees and 4 wingnut trees.

There is also an entrance on the eastern side at Neerlandiaplein accessible via the pleasant Hoftuin gardens from Weesperstraat.

Inside the foyer the all-white decor and signage is a bit disorienting at first – but after getting your tickets you can go off to either side to reach the exhibition wing spaces.

There are currently 3 elements to the H’ART Museum:

• the current H’ART special temporary exhibition
• the Amsterdam Museum exhibition
• The Museum of The Mind (Outsider Art)

H’ART Museum Temporary Exhibition

On the northern flank of the building is the H’ART Museum Wing which is now being used for temporary exhibitions. To enter you have to scan your ticket at the barrier and the glass doors open automatically.

The current H’ART exhibition is Happy Birthday Amsterdam – 75 artists pay tribute to the city which is celebrating its 750th anniversary. It is running 4 Dec 2024 to 16 Mar 2025.

Following this will be the exhibition Rembrandt to Vermeer, Masterpieces from The Leiden Collection which runs 9 Apr to 24 Aug 2025.

H’ART Museum is expected to run the following temporary exhibitions up to 2028:

Constantin Brancusi: September 2025 – February 2026
USA program: March – August 2026
Henri Matisse: September 2026 – February 2027
Feminine Power: Spring – Summer 2027
Surrealism: September 2027 – February/March 2028
Fernand Léger: September 2028 – February/March 2029

Amsterdam Museum in H’ART Museum

The Amsterdam Museum location at Kalverstraat in the city centre is closed and under long-term renovation (2022-2025).

The Amsterdam Museum wing on the southern flank of the H’ART Museum is given way for a temporary Amsterdam-themed exhibition.

The Panorama Amsterdam exhibition has 250 objects on display covering a mix of 17th century art and modern day city themes.

The exhibition continues in smaller rooms at the sides of the main hall.

Museum of the Mind (Outsider Art)

On the ground floor of the Amsterdam Museum Wing can be found the Museum of the Mind (Outsider Art) – featuring works from international artists from the Outsider art movement – referring to people who did not study art. The collection is run in collaboration with the Museum of the Mind (Museum van de Geest) at the Dolhuys in Haarlem.

This should not be confused with the Outsider Art Gallery on Neerlandiaplein outside the museum which has works of art for sale.

H’ART Museum Church Hall

At the front of the building you will find the light and airy Church Hall (Kerkzaal) – perhaps one of the most beautiful rooms in Amsterdam. This was a worshipping place in the former old people’s home.

It has magnificent views over the Amstel river as well as the inner courtyard garden.

H’ART Museum facilities

An audio tour is included with admission. Free lockers are available near the ticket desk.

The H’ART Museum shop (open 1030-1700) is found on the ground floor of the H’ART Museum wing.

The H’ART Museum Grand Café is on the first floor of the foyer which is open to the public without need for a museum ticket.

An alternative place to eat/drink is at the Dignita Hoftuin, a popular glass teahouse located in the Hoftuin gardens behind the H’ART Museum on the eastern side.

A large auditorium is found on the 2nd floor of the foyer, above the café.

After 13 years as the Hermitage, the new H’ART Museum is finding its place on the international museum scene. With a beautiful building and a great setting on the Amstel, it is certainly worth a visit – particularly if the exhibition on show is of interest to you.

H’ART Museum Amsterdam Essential Info

Last updated 8 January 2025. This article was first published in 2009 and has been regularly updated.

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