International Women’s Day programme brings workshops to Wereldmuseum

FROM 7 MAR TO 11 APR '26 | Wereldmuseum Rotterdam is putting International Women’s Day in the spotlight with a themed month called Vier de Vrouw (In Honour of Her!). The museum is promising a full run of exhibitions, workshops, tours, and special events centred on women’s creativity, influence and visibility, plus a 1+1 offer on entry tickets and paid activities on all programme days.

_{Image: Visitors in the exhibition Marlou Fernanda: A Time for Everything. Photo credit: Alexander Santos Lima}

The idea is simple: bring someone along, and make it a shared visit, whether that is your neighbour, friend, sister, or your mum. The museum’s programme is built around active participation, not just looking and leaving.

Two exhibitions anchor the themed month

One of the central exhibitions is Art She Crafted, which brings together work across textile, embroidery, ceramics, fashion, art and contemporary photography. It focuses on women makers and key figures, from queens to activists and from self-taught makers to collectors, and how they shaped artistic moments that are often told through other names.

(from A Time for Everything): Marlou Fernanda, Build Me Up, 2022. Credit: Aad Hoogendoorn

The second exhibition is A Time for Everything, a colourful, personal survey show by Rotterdam artist Marlou Fernanda (1996), looking back on ten years of independent practice. The museum describes her work as moving between painting, installation and performance, touching on identity, self-expression and the right to take up space.

(from Art She Crafted): Malak Mattar, When the World Sleeps, Palestine, 2021. Credit: Michelle Muus Fotografie

Workshops, masterclasses and a month of making

Across the month, Wereldmuseum Rotterdam is programming workshops, tours and masterclasses intended for meeting, depth, and hands-on participation. Several sessions link directly to Marlou Fernanda’s approach, inviting visitors to work on personal visual language through expressive painting.

There is also a freestyle embroidery masterclass led by Desirée Hammen, connecting craft traditions with contemporary themes through shared making, and a masterclass titled Unity of All Women Makes Strength with Congolese artist Mbuku Kimpala (CATPC), focused on sculpture, solidarity and learning from the plantation (plantage).

Museumnacht and portrait sessions

During Museumnacht, the museum plans an evening programme around Art She Crafted, with masterclasses, performances, a maker salon, and music. It is positioned as a more energetic night version of the theme, rather than a standard museum visit.

On 8 March, the programme includes Iconic Mini You, where visitors can be portrayed in strong, personal images that celebrate self-representation.

Dates to keep an eye on

Every Sunday, the museum lists a free guided tour of A Time for Everything, paired with a making activity.

Key dates named in the programme include:

• Saturday 7 March: Museumnacht – Art She Crafted Special
• Sunday 8 March: Iconic Mini You portraits by Daphne Bom
• Saturday 14 March: Expressive painting with Marlou Fernanda (€25 including museum entry)
• Sunday 15 March: Freestyle embroidery with Desirée Hammen
• Saturday 21 March: Unity of All Women Makes Strength with Mbuku Kimpala (CATPC) (€25 including museum entry)
• Saturday 28 March: Expressive painting with Marlou Fernanda (€25 including museum entry)
• Saturday 11 April: Expressive painting with Marlou Fernanda (€25 including museum entry)

For more details and updates, keep an eye on the official website.