• Museum van de Geest outside view with big letters in the front of the museum
  • Museum van de Geest inside view with big billboards like art works
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Museum van de Geest Haarlem

Museum van de Geest Haarlem

Museum van de Geest is a thought-provoking museum dedicated to exploring the human mind through the lenses of art, science, and lived experience. Housed in a former psychiatric hospital, the museum presents a compelling blend of historical context and contemporary insight. Its exhibitions invite visitors to reflect on mental health, identity, and the boundaries of perception through personal stories, outsider art, and interactive installations. With a focus on empathy, inclusion, and the complexity of the human experience, Museum van de Geest fosters meaningful conversations about what it means to be different—and what it means to be human.

Opening hours

  • Tuesday to Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Closed on Mondays

How to get there

Schotersingel 2, 2021 GE Haarlem

Prices from

From €20.00

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Museum van de Geest – A museum about the mind

Museum van de Geest (Museum of the Mind) explores how we think, feel, and see the world. It is located in a historic building in Haarlem. The museum combines art, science, and stories about mental health and human identity.

What to See

  • Contemporary art about emotions, identity, and the brain
  • Historical displays on psychiatry and care
  • Personal stories from people with lived experience
  • Interactive exhibits and immersive installations
  • A sensory experience that challenges how you see “normal”

Why Visit

  • Learn about the human mind in a creative way
  • See art that touches on real life and mental health
  • Perfect for thoughtful visitors and curious minds
  • Peaceful garden and close to Haarlem city center

The Museum

Museum van de Geest is in the former St. Bavo hospital. It received the European Museum of the Year Award in 2022. The museum encourages openness, reflection, and conversation through bold exhibitions and inclusive storytelling.

Visitor Information

  • Address: Schotersingel 2, Haarlem
  • Open: Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 – 17:00
  • Tickets: €15.00 (adults), €7.50 (ages 13–18), free under 13
  • Free with Museumkaart
  • Facilities: Garden, café, shop, and guided tours

Museum van de Geest is ideal for visitors who want to explore mental health, personal stories, and powerful art.

Some Highlights of Museum van de Geest Haarlem

The Wonder of the Mind

The Wonder of the Mind is an interactive, permanent exhibition at Museum van de Geest that invites visitors to explore identity, perception, and mental health through personal stories, art, and immersive experiences. It challenges stigmas and encourages empathy and self-reflection.

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Outsider Art Collection

This striking collection showcases the unfiltered creativity of self-taught artists often working outside conventional norms. With approximately 1,700 works by 120 national and international artists, the exhibition highlights deeply personal visions, emotional intensity, and unconventional use of materials. It offers a unique window into inner worlds shaped by identity, mental diversity, and imaginative impulse.

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Kwetsbaarheid en Kracht

Kwetsbaarheid en Kracht is a moving photo exhibition at Museum van de Geest that combines black-and-white portraits with MRI scans and anonymous interviews. It highlights the balance between vulnerability and resilience in those affected by mental health—challenging stigma and celebrating shared humanity.

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