The Flemish government has reviewed and redesigned the art scene with the biggest impact for M HKA (Antwerp).
The reasoning behind this article is that I only see opinions and complaints that go in one direction, and it’s not how I see it.
I can’t pretend to be an active player in the art scene, living in Antwerp and not share my thoughts
Of course, I realise that in Antwerp I seem to be in the middle of a heavy storm, but that in the larger art scene or the non art world, no one knows or probably even cares about this much. But there is an interesting shift people should know about, so here goes. A fictional Q&A covers some ground, followed by a detailed description of the situation.
To start
Have I had it with the cultural sector always being the first in line when it comes to savings? YES. Can I think of plenty of other things that should get defunded? YES. (Top of mind: airlines, fiscally favourable company cars, minister’s salaries,…) Should the government find solutions to make something like philanthropy a norm on a large scale in order to create another influx of money in arts and culture: absolutely!
– Tramaine de Senna –
Also
Do I have a problem with most of our ministers not being experts or passionate about their departments? Huge yes. Don’t even get me started on education. (Although I do know someone who would be excellent at it: Goedele Van Kerschaever.)
Do I find that our contemporary art institutions have been showing unnecessarily complex exhibitions catering to a very specific crowd? Yes and this should change. Publicly funded places should be more accessible and inclusive.
Is it ever a good idea to make decisions about a group and leave some people out but involve others in the consultation? Nope. In addition to that: drop a bombshell of a communication unannounced when there’s no room for conversation? TEXTBOOK BAD PARENTING!
(It also almost seems like only M HKA was left out of the conversations, which really is terrible for them, but does say a lot about the parties who were involved…BAD siblings.)
Is it an issue that old white males have been holding positions of power in some of those institutions for at least 20 years, one even accused of toxic leadership? Do I even need to answer that question? There’s enough to say about that in a separate article.
But
Do I find this plan a good idea? Yes!
What is this actually all about?
There’s a redesign of the Flemish cultural landscape communicated in a concept note that was released Monday. Basically: there’s a general idea that needs to be worked out properly by the end of 2027.
The Flemish government wants to strengthen and reposition the visual arts scene, which today is diffused and fragmented. The redesign should put the Flemish art institutions on the (international) map, clarify the landscape and give institutions clear tasks.
I mean: this really sounds dynamic, logical and like a breath of fresh air, right?
– Els Dietvorst –
Three beacons are defined to become the reference points for the construction, preservation and presentation of visual arts in Flanders:
- the new KMSKA
- the new Flemish museum for contemporary and current arts
- the new Mu.ZEE
(Note the word ‘new’? It involves change for all concerned parties. This will require clarifying and forward thinking… to those who are concerned, you know where to find me.)
KMSKA (Antwerp) has proven since its reopening in 2022 that it has the scale and entrepreneurship to be Flanders’ beacon for the fine arts (old and modern art mainly). Museum Hof van Busleyden (as a museum of fine arts in Mechelen) and Gaasbeek Castle (near Brussels where fine arts and nature come together) become satellites, with the three institutions continuing to grow towards the future together.
The second beacon will be the current S.M.A.K. in Ghent, which will become the new and only Flemish museum for contemporary and current arts. (It’s today an urban museum and thus becomes Flemish.) The M HKA collection will be transferred to SMAK (who already very undiplomatically said they have no room for it). As a result, the current M HKA will be given a different mission.
As a connector, Mu.ZEE (Ostend) will complete the circle as a haven for Belgian masters (1850 to today) and modern art. Think: Magritte, Broodthaers, Latem School, Ensor, Spilliaert, etc. Mu.ZEE already fulfils this role today and has two satellites, Peiremuzee (Knokke) and Permekemuseum (Jabbeke). The Roger Raveel Museum (Zulte) and FeliX Art+Eco Museum (Drogenbos) will be additional locations.
Reactions
This plan really brings a lot of clarity and simplifies the scene. It still can go completely wrong with egos, feelings of superiority, neglect of the satellite locations, thinking it used to be better instead of accepting the challenge and heading forward… But the basis for greatness is there.
The main reactions to the news are celebrations around SMAK and anger around M HKA. What makes people in Antwerp most angry is they weren’t involved or treated respectfully. The decisions were made and communicated without consulting them. Other parties, such as SMAK were part of the discussions. It’s a very particular political choice to divide and then require institutions to collaborate. That’s not usually how unifying works… Most other involved institutions have not particularly shared their feelings, probably either digesting the implications for them or respecting that others are worse off.
New M HKA
Do Antwerpians (or is it Twerps) generally speaking believe they are the centre of the universe and are they therefore wounded in their pride? Yes. Obviously. Even without thinking the world revolves around you, one would be hurt. Taking away a title and a collection from an institution and hope it will go well, would be naive. But keeping an institution open that is funded on public money and doesn’t fulfil it’s role properly, would be wrong.
– Shilpa Gupta –
M HKA once set the tone of what a contemporary art museum should be. The ICC (at the origin of what was to become M HKA) was even the first public institution for contemporary art in Flanders. But it has been struggling to fulfil its role as a museum, which was recently confirmed in an assessment of the committee of experts. So all the arguments about the past greatness are not quite valuable in the present or future.
In their new mission the current site of the M HKA will become a breeding ground for contemporary arts with space for exhibitions, studios, residencies, various programmes of lectures, workshops, etc. A place where artists take central stage, where they are guided through their creative processes and where there is room for development. A safe context that can serve as an example for the sector in terms of well-being and integrity. A place where art workers, art educators and visual artists meet in dialogue and reflection.
I applaud this the most in the whole plan. There is a HUGE lack in support and intermediaries to help and guide artists today. So this is an opportunity to fix this. Create communities again and stand with them.
A breeding ground: there is so much potential in that. I absolutely LOVE it!
This is the chance to become a different type of contemporary art institutions that caters to a different public and has different goals than all the rest. The chance to be so good they can become centre of the world again.
In all this division and bad news, the Twerps seem to forget they already get centre stage with KMSKA. This stage can become significantly more important on an (inter)national level when/if M HKA takes up the new role with verve.
(An important side information of a decision announced last week: the building plans for a new museum were trashed.Which was hard to swallow already. But, this does free up a rather large budget: namely 130.000.000 euro.)
The Collection
There is a lot of commotion in Antwerp about ‘the collection’ having to remain in the city. Like it’s the holy grail. But, could people claiming this name five artists that are part of it? (And if they could, would any of those be non white male artist? But that’s yet another different topic.)
Wanting the collection to remain in Antwerp is just psychological comfort, it really doesn’t matter where the depot is. What they actually do with the collection and how they decide to show it: that’s important. Nothing says M HKA cannot show what was ‘theirs’ in the future. (Sidenote: it was and will remain property of the Flemish government, no matter what.)
– Panamarenko –
For artists, it is a great honour and excellent for their CV to be part of a collection, don’t get me wrong. But ‘receiving the opportunity’ to donate a piece to be part of that collection doesn’t compare to being bought. You know what helps to reach that: being shown in a reputable institution and being part of the exhibition catalogue. (Private) collectors and institutions LOVE that.
So M HKA won’t be a museum anymore, but nothing stops them in their new role to be a reputable institution playing a major role for artists and the art scene! It’s an amazing opportunity and honourable goal.
I truly believe it’s a chance to get ahead of the game.
For general comprehension: a museum has a collection, an art centre (like Bozar or Wiels) doesn’t. But guess what: Bozar is thriving! It’s dynamic, has an (inter)national high visitor rate and is accessible, attractive and diversified in what they show. And Wiels: successful too, even if I find most of their exhibitions too complicated, they succeed in attracting a large community and they have an international residency programme that makes them stick out. (I also love that there’s always people using the entrance hall/cafe to meet, it makes the place human.)
Conclusion
Was this decision made under questionable circumstances and horribly communicated? Yes.
Is this a major opportunity for Antwerp and the Flemish art scene? Yes, I truly believe so.
Should there be more respect, transparency and consultation as from now? Yes, please. Everywhere, while we’re at it.
And my advice to Minister Gennez (or whomever is next): surround yourself with, and use the knowledge of visionary people with a diversified background and expertise in the arts to further shape and guide this rethinking! Trust me: the results would surpass your hope for a better future for the Flemish Arts and Culture scene.
This article was 99% humanly written.
ps: The whole concept is based on the definition of what a museum should be according to the International Council of Museums (ICOM): a museum is a not-for-profit, permanent institution in the service of society that researches, collects, conserves, interprets and exhibits tangible and intangible heritage. Open to the public, accessible and inclusive, museums foster diversity and sustainability. They operate and communicate ethically, professionally and with the participation of communities, offering varied experiences for education, enjoyment, reflection and knowledge sharing.
ppss: all photos were taken by me in M HKA over the years.