Amsterdam gets a new museum for contemporary art in Westerpark

Villa presents art from basement to peak, each with its own sensory story.

Amsterdam, 09/09/2025 - On September 13, Villa, a new home for playful, sensory art, opens its doors to the public. In the monumental 'Ingenieurswoning Westergasfabriek', the former residence of the engineer, 12 rooms have been arranged by contemporary artists. Here you will find work by Elsemarijn Bruys, Eniwaye Oluwaseyi, Folkert de Jong, Gilleam Trapenberg, Karel van Laere, Koos Buster, Levi van Veluw, Max Siedentopf, Merijn Haenen, Nazif Lopulissa, Thomas Trum, Vera Gulikers, Willem de Haan, Yamuna Forzani, and Zoro Feigl.                                                  

In this special location, with a distinctive vision on art experiences, Villa aims to make art accessible to a wide audience. The goal is to grow into a new cultural hotspot in the dynamic neighborhood of Westerpark.

Love at first sight

The artworks are characterized by their direct, sensory appeal: colorful, playful, humorous, and often large-scale. It is art that surprises, moves, and touches – without prior knowledge or explanation. “The art in Villa acts like love at first sight: it touches you immediately, then you want to go deeper. Not the other way around,” says Adam Nillissen. The artists work multidisciplinary, experiment with media and materials, and consciously seek interaction with the viewer and the space in which the artwork is situated.

The setup of Villa is compact, accessible, and inviting, with space for depth during and after each visit. Instead of a thematic exhibition, Villa presents unique rooms with different artists – each with a strong sensory story of its own. Thereby Villa bridges the gap between experience-oriented attractions and traditional museums.

About Villa

The initiative for Villa comes from Adam Nillissen, Bas Koopmans, and Cas Boland, three friendly makers and entrepreneurs with deep roots in the art, culture, and creative sectors. From a shared love of art and culture and the development of new formats, the idea for Villa emerged. “We wanted to create an accessible place in Amsterdam for playful, experience-oriented, high-quality art. Fantastic that this dream is now becoming a reality, says Bas Koopmans.”

Villa is a private museum and operates independently without subsidies. This independent position allows for agility, to steer its own course, and to remain distinctive. Because Villa is built from top to bottom with artists, they receive a regular fee and share in the financial success of the museum.

Opening hours and tickets

Villa is open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM. Tickets are available online and at the door.