Temporary exhibitions

Take a look at the temporary exhibitions of the Museum of the Canals below.

Expected: Exhibition with Janneke Viegers

In collaboration with Tim Killiam Foundation, the Museum of the Canals will open a new exhibition on April 3 featuring the work of visual artist Janneke Viegers.

Tim Killiam Prize 2025

Janneke Viegers has been announced as the winner of the Tim Killiam Prize 2025.

Each year, the Tim Killiam Foundation awards this prize to an artist, photographer, or architect who has made a significant contribution to the visual representation of Amsterdam.

This prize is an initiative of the Tim Killiam Foundation, which manages the legacy of the architect, illustrator, and photographer of the same name. Tim Killiam (1947–2014) became known as the creator and publisher of the Amsterdam Canal Guide. The prize includes a cash award and an exhibition at theMuseum of the Canals.

From a unique perspective

From the jury report: “In an era where Google Maps and Google Earth allow us to zoom in on every detail, Janneke Viegers brings mystery to our image of the city.”

The series of works referenced by the jury, titled Exteriors, was started by Viegers even before Google Maps existed. The series consists of large canvases, measuring 2 x 2 meters, in which Viegers depicts the city from above in a so-called bird’s-eye perspective—similar to how a drone would capture it today. They offer an original view of the city.

Janneke Viegers

Janneke Viegers (born 1952) studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Arnhem and later taught there, as well as at the Rietveld Academy in Amsterdam. Since 1990, she has lived and worked in Amsterdam. Initially, Viegers focused on portraits and smaller works, but from the 1990s onwards, with the Exteriors series, she also created large-format canvases. Her impressive body of work, comprising more than 2,500 pieces, can be found in both public and private collections worldwide.

The exhibition will be on display in the Ball room and Red Salon of the Museum of the Canals from April 3 to July 6, 2025.

Exhibition: View on the canals

Throughout the centuries, Amsterdam’s canals have inspired artists such as Berckheyde and Breitner. In this group exhibition, held in the year of Amsterdam’s 750th anniversary, we aim to show how the canals remain a powerful source of inspiration for contemporary artists. Not only because of the beauty of the canal belt, but also because of the eventful history that took place along and on the canals.

The canals as inspiration  

The canals are more than just a beautiful backdrop for millions of tourists. They are cherished by the residents who live and work along the canals. The canals are full of history, but also with less beautiful sides. The artists showcased in this exhibition each offer a different perspective on the canals through paintings, photography, drawings, sculptures, and poetry. Some works are recognizable, while others are completely abstract, but each work invites you to look deeper and uncover new layers of meaning in what you see. Some artists have even created new work for this exhibition.

With works by 

This exhibition features work by: Arden, Arie Schippers, Bram de Rooij, Casper Strietman, Carlien Oudes, Chad Bilyeu & Lorenzo Milito, Claudia Otten, Ellen Davidzon, Erna Bijl de Vroe, Frans Koppelaar, Gershwin Bonevacia, Gineke Zikken, Gosse Bouma, Hans de Tweede & Sam Vonk, Janneke Viegers, Jasper Riehm, Julie Hrudová, Juliette de Wit, Peter Smit, Richard van Mensvoort, Ron Zwagemaker, Titus Meeuws en Wendelien Schönfeld.

The exhibition can be seen from December 5, 2024 to March 30, 2025 in the Museum of the Canals

Foto collage met kunstwerken van de Grachten van Amsterdam

From left to right: Erna Bijl de Vroe – Bijna…, 2023, Carlien Oudes – Herstelwerkzaamheden kademuren Herengracht, 2023, Gosse Bouma – Gold as ice, 2024, Claudia Otten – Vreemde Vogel, 2021, Wendelien Schönfeld – Gracht ll, 2017