How the Zeeuws Museum Used Art to Amplify Voices of Fear, Anger, and Injustice

Can a museum be a space for protest? Can art stitched onto fabric carry the weight of societal frustration, hope, and resilience? At the Zeeuws Museum in Middelburg, Netherlands, these questions were brought to life through the impactful project, Protest Procession Parade.

This initiative explored how art can serve as a powerful tool to give voice to feelings of fear, anger, and injustice. Shared by Madeleine Roelfsema and Roosje Vreman at the Museums, Health & Well-Being Summit, the project became a testament to the transformative potential of museums in addressing societal issues.

Addressing Loneliness and Building Community

The Zeeuws Museum, located in the province of Zeeland, is a cultural history museum known for its rich and diverse collections, including art, natural history, and ethnographic artefacts. While its collections tell stories of the region’s history, the museum has been equally committed to reflecting contemporary societal challenges.

Since 2021, the museum has been running a programme specifically aimed at reducing feelings of loneliness, a prevalent issue in Zeeland compared to other Dutch provinces. The initiative is not just about outreach; it aims to foster lasting relationships with communities and provide a framework that other institutions can learn from.

The Protest Procession Parade exhibition emerged within this broader initiative, responding to an increasing wave of social unrest, amplified by global crises, environmental concerns, and widening societal divides. By turning the museum into a space for protest art and dialogue, the Zeeuws Museum created an environment where feelings of anger, fear, and hope could be expressed freely.

The Collaboration: Protest Banner Lending Library

At the heart of the Protest Procession Parade project was a collaboration with Chicago-based artist Aram Han Sifuentes and her Protest Banner Lending Library. Known for blending textile arts with activism, Aram’s project teaches people to create protest banners and provides a lending library where banners can be borrowed and used at demonstrations.

Aram’s workshops offer more than just practical skills; they create safe spaces for participants to voice their concerns and share their hopes. Whether it’s “No Fossil Fuels” or “No Borders”, every banner carries a story, a plea, or a demand. Through their collaboration, the Zeeuws Museum adapted this concept to a local context, inviting communities from Zeeland to participate in workshops and create their own protest banners.

Inclusive Outreach: Meeting Communities Where They Are

One of the most significant aspects of this project was its inclusive approach. While many workshops were held at the museum, others took place at refugee centres and community spaces. This flexibility ensured that barriers such as travel, time, and unfamiliarity with museum spaces didn’t prevent participation.

The museum worked closely with local activist groups, including Extinction Rebellion and Zeeland Borssele Tegen, an anti-nuclear action group. Additionally, collaboration with the Vrolijkheid, an art education initiative for refugee centres, opened doors to new conversations and connections.

These efforts were not without challenges. Engaging with communities who may not traditionally see museums as welcoming spaces required openness, active listening, and adaptability. However, the rewards were significant. Participants not only created banners but also discovered a renewed sense of agency and community.

From Insecurity to Pride: The Transformative Power of Workshops

For many participants, the workshops were deeply personal experiences. Initially, some expressed doubts about their creative abilities, saying, “I’m not very good at crafting,” or “I don’t know much about sewing.” But with guidance and encouragement from the museum staff and workshop facilitators, every participant left with a completed banner and a sense of pride.

One participant shared how the workshop reconnected her with her passion for crafting, reminding her of her time in fashion school. Upon returning home, she was inspired to pick up an unfinished sewing project—a creative spark reignited through her experience at the museum.

These workshops also became spaces for connection. Strangers bonded over shared concerns, swapping stories and experiences while stitching their banners. Passers-by in the museum engaged with participants, sparking spontaneous conversations about the issues represented on the banners. The simple act of crafting together became a catalyst for meaningful dialogue.

The Exhibition: Protest in the Museum Space

The banners created during the workshops became central to the Protest Procession Parade exhibition, displayed alongside historical artefacts and contemporary artworks. Notably, Rembrandt’s Standard Bearer, a painting purchased by the Dutch state for €175 million, became a focal point for critical discussions about public spending priorities in the art world.

This juxtaposition of protest art with traditional museum collections created a thought-provoking space where visitors could reflect on societal inequalities, environmental concerns, and personal experiences of injustice. The exhibition challenged visitors to think about museums not just as spaces for preservation, but as dynamic platforms for conversation and change.

Taking Protest to the Streets: The Parade

As the exhibition came to a close, the Zeeuws Museum organised a community parade through the streets of Middelburg. Participants carried their banners proudly, their messages visible to all who watched. The parade was not just a symbolic act; it was a celebration of collective effort, solidarity, and the power of community expression.

At the end of the parade, the banners were handed over to the PrintRoom in Rotterdam, where they remain part of the Protest Banner Lending Library, available for future protests and demonstrations. In this way, the project lives on, extending its impact far beyond the museum walls.

Lessons Learned: Museums as Social Actors

The Protest Procession Parade project wasn’t without its challenges. Inviting activism into the museum space brought uncertainties and anxieties among staff. Questions arose: How do we handle difficult conversations? What if visitors disagree with the banners’ messages? These concerns were addressed through open dialogue, training, and support for front-of-house staff.

In the end, the project proved that museums can be spaces of solidarity, learning, and empowerment. By creating opportunities for people to express themselves through art, museums can bridge divides, foster understanding, and provide platforms for voices often unheard.

Ready to Listen?

At its core, the Protest Procession Parade was about connection—connecting people to their creativity, to each other, and to causes larger than themselves. It was a reminder that museums are not neutral spaces; they are part of the societal fabric and have a responsibility to act.

For museum professionals everywhere, the question remains: What voices are waiting to be heard within our walls? And more importantly, Are we ready to listen?