A Sweaty Journey to the Heart of Street Art

I finally made it to Straat Museum—after ferry + bus, it was the hardest museum to reach from central Amsterdam, but also the one that moved me the most! Ever heard of a museum dedicated only to street art and graffiti?

First off, the museum is in a converted warehouse! Even the outside wall reads, “Yes, you can paint here” — they’re literally encouraging street artists to create. Where else can you find a place so clearly built for artists?

Then you step inside and—boom!—it’s huge. Massive murals line every wall, floor to ceiling. I lost count fast and didn’t know where to start.

They had over 180 artworks spread across that giant warehouse space.

There’s even a timeline of street art history around the world. One interesting note: the mural boom in Brooklyn really started when real estate agents first commissioned street artists to bring color into the neighborhood. That turned the area into a hotspot—and yes, gentrification followed. That whole mix of street art energy, tourism, and rising rents makes me feel all kinds of complex feelings—but I’m impressed by how those agents saw art’s power to change a neighborhood.

I was first blown away by the size of the venue, then overwhelmed (in a good way!) by the scale and number of artworks inside. I was so impressed by the variety of topics and techniques in each piece. But what moved me most was how this museum—a place that usually feels formal and a bit serious—opened its doors wide to artists whose main canvas is the street. They even encourage outdoor art on the exterior walls! That kind of support and open-heartedness felt really special.

It was also super hot inside—no AC, I guess—and by the end, I was sweating harder than I could appreciate. I wish I could’ve explored longer, but the heat won this round!