The hidden church of Our Lord in the Attic Museum is an oasis of peace in Amsterdam’s busy city centre. People have gathered here since 1662. In 17th-century Protestant Amsterdam, Catholic faith was only allowed indoors, raising questions about tolerance and identity. Do you feel free to show what you believe in?

Our Lord in the Attic Museum invites makers to speak out about tolerance and social acceptance. The first art production focuses on the question: can you be yourself? Art studios De Wijde Doelen and Bijzonder Amsterdams present work by artists rarely seen in museums and galleries. The young people, the Voices of our museum, do not see themselves as artists. Does that make their work any less significant?

In co-creation with No Limits! Art Castle, the art collectives Bijzonder Amsterdams and de Wijde Doelen, and the youth community of Voices of Tolerance in collaboration with Studio Pansa, new work is being created that will become part of the installation in the coming months.

No Limits! Art Castle

Freedom, identity and tolerance go hand in hand with equal opportunities. However, traditional conventions prevail in the art world, often preventing neurodivergent artists from getting the same opportunities. No Limits! Art Castle fights for equal opportunities and an art world without discrimination.

In collaboration with No Limits! Art Castle, in the coming months we will show work by neurodivergent and crip artists from the studios of Bijzonder Amsterdams and De Wijde Doelen. These artists visited the hideaway church and were inspired by it. Participating artists: Aurella, Sander, Brigitta, Zarina, Milena, Norris, Ingrid, Fran, Marcello, Filipe, Arendjan, Romano, Bryan, Ria, Inte, Aurelina, Daniël, Donne, Edward, Maikel, René, Rosemarijn, Anke, Susanne.

The youth community

Step into the mindset of the young people of Our Lord in the Attic Museum. How do they navigate through a demanding society? What do they pursue? See and hear how they experience the world. During a philosophical workshop, they explored their identity and role in the world. Their insights were depicted in ceramic figures, photography and an audio compilation.

For these young people, in a society full of challenges, conversation is the key to connection. The ceramic figures are expressions of their personal identity and hopes for the future. Participants: Aysima, Dalal, Ecrin, Hakim, Jazba, Jet, Justin, Kaoutar, Mohamed, Myrthe, Nisrine, Precious, Sanae, Zaynab. Creative guidance: Rachel Rumai (philosophy), Studio Pansa (ceramics), Lesley Adu-Darkwah, Rebekah Mell (photography), Safoan Mokhtari (moderator), Pablo van Wetten, Jake Zuidveen (audio), Hanne Huisman, Precious Blank, Chelsey Peters (coordination).

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