An Unforgettable Experience Awaits
Embark on an Art school trip to Amsterdam and explore this exciting hub of inspiration and creativity.
Trip Highlights
Dutch masters at the renovated Rijksmuseum
The world’s largest collection of Van Gogh paintings
The studio at Rembrandt’s former home
A wealth of modern art at the Stedelijk Museum
Recommended excursions
Canal Cruise Amsterdam
A cruise through Amsterdam’s canals is a pretty and peaceful way to see some of the city’s most beautiful spots. Gliding through the old centre, the view encompasses elegant merchants’ mansions, carillon-crowned churches and warehouses with their rich history from Holland’s Golden Age.
Tip: There are 65 miles of canals that meander through the city.
Van Gogh Museum
The largest collection of Van Gogh paintings in the world is housed here, along with the works of his contemporaries, Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. A visit here helps students understand the artistic context in which his works were created and the influence they had upon others.
Tip: The permanent collection includes 200 paintings, 500 drawings and more than 700 letters.
Rijksmuseum
The Netherlands’ largest museum houses a fantastic collection of Dutch masters from Rembrandt to Vermeer and Frans Hals. Students can trace the developments and continuities of artistic styles and techniques. Reopened in April 2013 after major renovations, the collection also encompasses objects from Netherlands’ cultural history and Asian art.
Anne Frank House, Amsterdam
The building where Anne Frank hid from Nazi persecution sits on the Prinsengracht canal. As well as the preservation of the hiding place and an exhibition on the life and times of Anne Frank, the museum acts as an exhibition space to highlight all forms of persecution and discrimination Photo © Konrad Glogowski.
Hermitage Amsterdam
Set on the banks of the Amstel River, this is an exhibition space and cultural education centre with a focus on Russian history and culture. View pieces from the Hermitage collection in St Petersburg, including paintings, sculptures, applied art and archaeological discoveries.
Tip: Amsterdam’s Canal Ring inspired Peter the Great to found the city of St Petersburg.
Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art
This spacious museum shows modern and contemporary art and design from early 20th century up to the 21st century. It reopened in 2012 after renovations and features artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, Karel Appel, Andy Warhol, Willem de Kooning and Gilbert and George.
Kröller Müller Museum
The Kröller-Müller Museum approximately two hours from Amsterdam in the De Hoge Veluwe National Park is renowned for its large collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh. The museum is also home to impressive works by George Seurat, Pablo Picasso, Fernand Leger, Piet Mondrian and many other great painters.
Cobra Museum of Modern Art
This museum outside the city centre has a major collection of key works by artists of the CoBrA group (1948-1951) as well as work by their Dutch contemporaries, including artists of the Vrij Beelden (1945) and Creatie (1950-1955) movements. The museum collection is regularly supplemented by acquisitions and gifts. Works from the collection are on permanent display.
Rembrandthuis
Rembrandt’s former home on the Jodenbreestraat has been restored to its former glory and furnished with items and works of art from the 17th century. See where his son Titus was born, the workshop where he printed his etchings and, of course, the master’s studio. Photo © Lian Chang.
Tip: The museum has around 250 etchings by Rembrandt on display.
Foam Amsterdam
Students can get involved in this creative hub where photographers meet for lectures, forums and discussions. The brightly lit, white rooms of this revamped canal-house are filled with work from established names and emerging talent. In recent years it has shown work by Diane Arbus, Helen Levitt, Anton Corbijn, Alex Prager and Cy Twombly.
A’DAM Lookout
Enjoy a 360º degree view of Amsterdam and the surrounding area from the rooftop and 20th floor of the A’dam tower. A lift with sound and light effects will transport you in 20 seconds to the indoor Lookout on the 20th floor where visitors can enjoy the panoramic views and discover more about the history and culture of Amsterdam through interactive screens. Take the stairs to the roof for more views of the historic city, the port, airport and the polder landscape.
Clara Maria Cheese Farm and Clog Factory
The Clara Maria Cheese Farm and Clog Factory is located southwest of Amsterdam in the polder. A guided tour allows students to see Gouda cheese being made in the converted barn using the milk from the farm and traditional processes. Groups enjoy a cheese tasting and a chance to see Dutch wooden clogs being made using antique machinery. An on-site souvenir shop has a variety of Dutch products available
This is Holland – Amsterdam
This new educational attraction will allow groups to take a virtual flight experience above Holland’s beautiful landscapes using the latest I-ride technology. Specialised vehicles suspended above the ground move with the film to offer an exhilarating experience of flying. A pre-flight edutainment presentation explains how Holland was created from sea and swamp.
Typical accommodation
Meininger Hotel Amsterdam City West ★★★
Why groups like it:
- Excellent public transport links to central Amsterdam
- Modern purpose built hostel accommodation
- Close to nearby major attractions
- Located by Sloterdijk railway station
Facilities
- 24 hour reception
- Multi-bedded rooms for 4-8 students all with private facilities and flat screen TV
- Free Wi-Fi
A&O Hostel Amsterdam
Why groups like it:
- Excellent public transport links to central Amsterdam
- Multi-bedded rooms for students with private facilities
- Dedicated teacher lounge with free tea and coffee, Wi-Fi, local phone and a printer
Facilities:
- Rooms feature private bathroom faciliites
- Free Wi-Fi access
- 24-hour customer service desk
Itinerary suggestion
1 Flight to Amsterdam
2 Transfer to your accommodation
3 Evening meal
1 Breakfast
2 Explore the Van Gogh Museum
3 Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art
4 Evening meal followed by a Canal Cruise
1 Breakfast
2 Visit the Rijksmuseum in Museum Square
3 Tour Anne Frank’s House
4 Evening meal
1 Breakfast
2 Depending on flight times, visit Rembrandt House
3 Return flight to the UK
Learning outcomes
Subject focus
Students can:
- See a wide range of art in some of the most important art museums in the world
- Learn about the country that has provided the context for inspirational artwork
- Find inspiration for their own work
- Explore and evaluate how issues such as presentation were addressed in some famous works
Student outcomes
Students will have had an opportunity to:
- View a wide range of inspiring presentations and media
- Develop an understanding of the inspirations and techniques behind the work and assess the critical reactions of the time
- Encounter a range of influences to inform their own work
“
Great itinerary and we packed such a lot in. We feel like they got a lot for their money and it was an excellent educational experience.
Cramlington Learning Village
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