Amsterdam's Dutch slavery museum delayed to 2033 by permits, tender, design process

The inauguration of a museum dedicated to the Netherlands’ slavery past has been postponed from 2030 to 2033. This was announced by the mayor and the alderman of Amsterdam.

Among the principal causes of the delay, the authorities cited the processes of securing permits. Conducting the tender, together with the design process, is now reportedly underway.

Design firms have been permitted to submit proposals since February of this year. An architect is expected to be selected in the summer of the following year.

The decision to establish a slavery museum was taken in 2017. A formal plan was drawn up in 2024, once the Kop van Java-eiland in Amsterdam had been designated a suitable site. In the further elaboration of that plan, it has become evident that more time will be required than initially anticipated.

The revised schedule is also reportedly connected to a remaining shortfall of 22.3 million euros for the museum’s construction. The municipality continues to develop a proposal to meet the accumulated costs.