How We Made Noise: Reimagining the Museum from Within

In the summer of 2023, the first seed of a book was planted. What began as a small idea gradually took shape alongside Buro Stedelijk itself—growing in tandem with the new project space as it developed under the curatorship of Rita Ouédraogo.

Now, after three years of experimental practice within the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam, the resulting publication, How We Made Noise: Reimagining the Museum from Within, marks the completion of Buro Stedelijk’s initial curatorial cycle. Co-published with Onomatopee and edited by Rita Ouédraogo, with associate editor Gwen Parry, this 208-page volume brings together contributions from leading thinkers and artists including Tina M. Campt, Christina Sharpe, Quinsy Gario, Wayne Modest, Ola Hassanain, Yvette Mutumba, Emily Pethick, and Kevin Osepa, among others.

How We Made Noise reflects on Buro Stedelijk’s three-year trajectory as a living case study of “research by doing” within a major museum. By weaving together perspectives from multiple disciplines, the book speaks to urgent conversations on representation, institutional critique, and the possibilities—and challenges—of reimagining the museum from the inside out.

Buy the book online at Onomatopee, or in the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam shop.

Publication date: 27 November 2025
Editor: Rita Ouédraogo
Associate editor: Gwen Parry
Project manager: Niels Staats
Image editorial coordinator and project support: Anne Lakeman
Copy-editor and proofing: Harriet Foyster
Contributions by: Anna Hoetjes, Azu Nwagbogu, bk owusu, Christina Sharpe, Emily Pethick, Fanta Sylla, Joël Andrianomearisoa, Kenneth Aidoo, Kevin Osepa, Müge Yılmaz, Niels Staats, Ola Hassanain, Quinsy Gario, Rita Ouédraogo, Robbie Schweiger, Sabrine Ingabire, Setareh Noorani, Simone Zeefuik, Tina M. Campt, Wayne Modest, Yvette Mutumba, among others.
Publication design: Frédérique Gagnon
Poster: Kevin Osepa
Publisher: Onomatopee in collaboration with Buro Stedelijk
Printer: Graphius (Gent, Belgium)
Paper: Holmen TRND 2.0 70 gr, UPM Sol Gloss 90 gr, Arena Bulk Ivory 90 gr, Algro Design Natural (GZ C1S) 350 gr
ISBN 978-94-93382-03-9</h6>