Museumnacht Amsterdam 2026
Spend Museumnacht at Foam for an evening of photography, creativity and music. In collaboration with Afrovism, Foam invites you to look beyond the image and ask yourself: what do you notice when you take your time, and what stories does your own way of looking bring to the surface?
Throughout the night, young makers lead workshops, performances and music. Have your name written in calligraphy by Qasim Arif, design your own henna artwork at The Henna Lounge, or give a photograph a new narrative at Leo Varaidzo’s zine workshop. Pick up a stick of charcoal with Amber Martinez, create an abstract portrait with Levi Emmanuël Wattimena, or sketch a self-portrait with SEEYOUSIOE and consider how you would like to present yourself.
Expect surprise flash acts from Meervaart, have your picture taken in the Foam Photobooth, and enjoy the sounds of DJ Tida Kamara, who has put together a playlist especially for the occasion.
This Museumnacht, there is plenty at Foam to intrigue, inspire and share.
Beyond the Frame
During Museumnacht, Foam and Afrovism host a drop-in zine workshop. Use your own picture as the starting point for your own story and discover how words, poetry, drawing and collage can give an image new meaning.
By combining images, adding to them and looking at them from your own perspective, you create a personal zine where photography and imagination meet. Find out just how many different stories a single image can hold.
Activities
Create a mixed media collage with Levi Wattimena
Levi Emmanuël Wattimena is a multidisciplinary artist based in The Hague, working across painting, sculpture, textiles and mixed media. Human connection and Moluccan identity are central to his work, running as a common thread throughout his artistic practice.
In this workshop, you create abstract portraits that go beyond appearance and leave room for identity and emotion. Inspired by Levi’s multidisciplinary approach, you experiment with a range of materials to portray yourself or someone who matters to you. Working intuitively, you give shape to your own story in a personal way.
Walk-in workshop from 19.00 until 23.00 hrs.
Amber Martinez: From memory to image in charcoal
Amber Martinez is a Netherlands-based artist with Dominican roots and an artistic practice deeply grounded in Caribbean culture. In her paintings, she explores her heritage and the spiritual connection with her ancestors, subjects that have often been overlooked as a result of the colonial past.
In this workshop, you use charcoal to bring personal stories to life. Through drawing and reflection, you explore how memories, traditions and history shape your identity, making room for stories and voices that are often forgotten.
Walk-in workshop from 19.00 until 23.00 hrs
Writing outside the frame with Leo Varaidzo
Leo Varaidzo is a writer and designer whose work explores the relationship between image and language, and how stories shape the way we perceive the world. In this workshop, you use photographs from the exhibition at Foam as the starting point for a story of your own. Guided by open writing prompts, you work together to create a small eight-page zine that brings together short texts, poetry, drawing and collage.
Walk-in workshop from 19.00 until 23.30 hrs
Arabic calligraphy with Qasim Arif
Qasim Arif is a Pakistani-Dutch visual artist, calligrapher, designer and curator. Working under the name ILLM, he combines traditional Arabic calligraphy with the visual language of hip hop, graffiti and street art. His work brings cultural heritage and contemporary culture together, exploring how different cultural influences can coexist and jointly shape a modern identity.
During Museumnacht, Qasim Arif brings this art form to life. Have your name written in calligraphy by the artist, inspired by the tradition of Arabic calligraphy.
From 19.00 until 19.45 hrs
From 20.15 until 21.00 hrs
From 21.30 until 22.00 hrs
The Henna Lounge
Hand of Fatima is an artist, Moroccan henna specialist and international teacher. Drawing on many years of experience with henna culture, she brings together art, cultural heritage and storytelling. Using henna as an artistic medium, she explores themes such as identity, femininity and social equality.
At The Henna Lounge by Hand of Fatima, you are introduced to the art of henna and can create a henna artwork of your own.
From 19.00 until 19.45 hrs
From 20.15 until 21.00 hrs
From 21.30 until 22.00 hrs
Create your own portrait with SEEYOUSIOE
In this workshop, artist and illustrator SEEYOUSIOE invites you to create your own portrait in a playful way. Using a mirror as your starting point, you draw yourself from a slightly turned angle and decide for yourself how you look. Stay close to who you are, or experiment with your appearance to create an entirely new version of yourself.
With paper, coloured pencils and markers, you give shape to your portrait, with tips from SEEYOUSIOE along the way. No drawing skills are needed: it is all about playing with your self-image and reimagining who you are.
Walk-in workshop from 19.00 until 23.30 hrs
Tunes curated by DJ Tida Kamara
During Museumnacht, DJ, curator and cultural programmer Tida Kamara invites you into her musical world. Drawing on her Sierra Leonean roots, she blends electronic music with influences from across the African diaspora. Her eclectic mix of genres brings different cultures and stories together. For Tida, music is a way of connecting people. Drop by and let her sound carry you away.
From 19.00 until 02.00 hrs
Meervaart Flash Acts
Young makers from Meervaart Studio surprise you at unexpected moments with spoken word, music and dance. Inspired by the photography on view, the artists move through the galleries in search of visitors who want to join them on a journey.
From 19.30 until 00.00 hrs
De Foam Photobooth
Tonight at Foam, you are both photographer and model. Step into the Foam Photobooth, take your own portrait and bring your photo home as a keepsake of Museumnacht.
From 19.00 until 02.00 hrs
Afrovism
Afrovism (@afrovism) is an open-source platform that celebrates the Afro-diaspora. Founded by Faouziat Biera Faous in 2021.
Foam has invited Afrovism to curate the museum's Museumnacht programme this year. Afrovism encourages visitors to view the exhibitions in a different way, focusing on inspiring and embracing shared experiences, traditions and values that bring the diaspora together.
