MOCO Museum in Amsterdam

The MOCO (Modern Contemporary) Museum Amsterdam is an independently funded museum on Museumplein, close to the Van Gogh Museum. Book your MOCO Museum Amsterdam tickets here

Opened in April 2016, MOCO brings exhibitions featuring major protagonists and pioneers of the modern art world. It has become one of the most well visited museums in Amsterdam.

The MOCO Museum is located in the 5-storey Villa Alsberg townhouse on Museumplein. The building has a floor space of 1,245m² and dates back to 1904.

It was designed by Dutch architect Eduard Cuypers who was the nephew of the iconic Pierre Cuypers (designer of the nearby Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam Central Station).

The house was a family home until 1939, was then used by priests teaching at the Saint Nicolas school and subsequently became the offices of a law firm.

The MOCO Museum was founded by Lionel and Kim Logchies, owners of the Lionel Gallery in the Spiegel quarter of Amsterdam.

The opening exhibition was Banksy: Laugh Now which has since become a permanent fixture at MOCO. This features many iconic works from the UK street artist including Laugh Now, Barcode, Girl with Balloon, Kids on Guns, Love is in the Air (Flower Thrower) and Kate Moss.

The centrepiece of the Banksy exhibition is the large Beanfield work.

Banksy’s works are exhibited at the ground floor and level 1. Although not authorised by Banksy, all exhibited works are authenticated by Pest Control, the only official body that can verify his work.

The Moco Masters series is found on floors 1 and 2. This includes contrasting works from the likes of Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Marina Abramović, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin and Keith Haring.

Also at MOCO (level -1) is Reflecting Forward by Studio Irma, an immersive digital experience featuring 4 rooms: We All Live in Bubbles, Kaleidoscope, Diamond Matrix and Connect The Dots & Universe.

MOCO also runs some temporary exhibitions – currently showing is Robbie Williams: Pride and Self-Prejudice, exhibition from the UK singer-songwriter of artworks on mental health. Runs 8 Mar to 8 Jul 2024.

A visit to MOCO takes between 60 and 90 minutes. There is an audio tour (own device only) which complements the exhibitions and is available in 6 languages – Dutch, English, French, German, Italian and Spanish.

The museum has a small gift shop on the ground floor (level -1).

On the top floor there is the MOCO Pink Cloud Experience – a secret pink VIP area designed by resident artist Six N. Five. This can be hired by 2-6 people for 30 minutes and includes bubbles and bites. Costs are €100-220 and includes museum entrance.

Outside the Moco Garden displays various works of art (regularly rotated) – which can also be glimpsed over the fence from outside the museum grounds.

Please note, due to the relatively small size of the building and the popularity of the museum, it can get a little crowded at times. Choose an early morning or late evening timeslot for a quieter experience.

As a listed building, it does not have permission to install lifts – there are only stairs so it is not wheelchair accessible. However, wheelchair users are admitted to the ground floor for free.

The MOCO Amsterdam has firmly established itself as one of city’s premier museums. It is a must-visit for fans of modern contemporary art.

In 2021 MOCO opened a sister museum in Barcelona and in 2024 it will open a London branch near Marble Arch.

Also of interest in Amsterdam: STRAAT – Street Art and Graffiti Museum

How To Book MOCO Museum Tickets

To visit the MOCO Museum you must book a ticket and an entry timeslot online in advance. It is not possible to turn up and buy a ticket over-the-counter at the museum. Note, even those with an I Amsterdam City Card and GO City cards must pre-book their timeslot!

Entry timeslots are offered in 15 minute increments.

MOCO Museum Essential Info

Last updated 17 May 2024. This article was first published in 2016 and has been regularly updated.

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