Amsterdam’s amazing hidden church Our Lord in the Attic Museum, where Catholics worshipped together in secret, gives us pause for thought: what is (religious) freedom? How free were Catholics in the seventeenth century if they were unable to express their faith in public? How free is anyone who has to hide their identity? How free are you when you have to hide your identity? This question is just as relevant as it ever was, and more than ever in the diverse, fast changing society we live in today. That is the starting point for our the educational programmes in which we challenge school pupils to think about their own identity. What does it mean to be able to be yourself, and how do you look at your class mates and the world around you?

Junior school

Our programmes for junior school pupils focus on civics and relate to themes such as home, feasts and religion. How did people live in the 17th century and how do you live today? What kind of festivals do you celebrate? What are the differences and the similarities between the world’s major religions? In our programmes we concentrate on the pupils’ own experiences and encourage their curiosity.

Secondary school

We cater programmes for all age groups and educational levels. By connecting the history of our heritage with today’s world, we can address contemporary issues such as freedom, (religious) diversity and tolerance. This van vary from a historical guided tour to a talent programme for more advanced levels!

Academy op Solder

The museum aims to create a 21st century learning environment; a place in which young people can express themselves and are taken seriously, conducting research and learning skills they can use in today’s society. The learning environment is located in the museum’s entrance building. Here we bring past and present together: the atmosphere in the historic house is centuries old, and the entrance building is all about the present day. Here exhibitions and presentations examine the neighbourhood, the city and society today.

In the academy, the museum works together with students and teachers from schools, colleges and universities. Interesting projects are co-created with various courses and studies, which are expressed in exhibitions, also open for museum visitors to view.