The Amsterdam Museum, in collaboration with the foundation Nederland Wordt Beter, has opened a new exhibition titled “Netherlands, Get Better!” (Nederland, Wordt Beter!). The show looks back on 15 years of Black activism in the Netherlands, from 2010 to 2025: a period that saw major cultural and political shifts around race, equality, and identity.
The exhibition runs from 2 November 2025 to 1 February 2026 at Beautiful Distress House in Amsterdam-Noord (NDSM, Ms. van Riemsdijkweg 41a). It brings together artworks, videos, campaign materials, and personal testimonies from activists and community figures who helped shape the country’s discussion on racism and inclusion.
From protest to policy change
“Netherlands, Get Better!” traces the evolution of the modern anti-racism movement in the Netherlands. From early protests against Zwarte Piet, to wider efforts tackling structural discrimination in education, the workplace, and public institutions.
Much of the exhibition focuses on the work of Nederland Wordt Beter, the organisation founded by Mitchell Esajas and Jerry Afriyie in 2011. The group gained national attention for its Kick Out Zwarte Piet campaign and for helping to turn conversations about racism into concrete political and social change. Over the years, their activism has contributed to policy shifts, public debates, and growing awareness of inequality in Dutch society.
Why this exhibition matters
According to the museum, the exhibition serves as both a celebration and a moment of reflection. It marks the conclusion of Nederland Wordt Beter’s work while inviting visitors to consider how activism, art, and dialogue have influenced public opinion and government policy over the past decade and a half.
Curators describe the project as “a collective memory”: showing how a small grassroots movement evolved into a nationwide conversation about fairness, belonging, and shared responsibility. The exhibition also examines how younger generations continue this work through new forms of cultural and political expression.
Visiting the exhibition
“Netherlands, Get Better!” runs through 1 February 2026. Visitors can find ticket details, opening hours, and related events on the Amsterdam Museum’s website. Talks, workshops, and educational activities will accompany the show, offering space for discussion about race, representation, and what equality looks like in the Netherlands today.
