The staff and supporters of the Antwerp Museum of Contemporary Art breathe a sigh of relief. Caroline Gennez, the Minister of Culture of the Flemish Region, reversing her controversial decision at the beginning of October, announced that ultimately the institution would retain its status as a museum.
It is no understatement to say that the reorganization of the museum landscape in Flanders has caused a stir, especially in Antwerp. The Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen (Muhka) thus saw itself demoted to an art center with still unclear functions, and lost a large part of its collection. Immediately, the Antwerp artistic community, including the artists Luc Tuymans and Rinus Van de Velde, stepped up to criticize the inanity of a measure in complete disconnection with its natural environment.
The minister had started to backpedal by announcing that the museum should not part with its collection. After several months of consultation with museums, the minister announced a review of her plan. The idea of three “clusters” is maintained and strengthened: ancient art with the KMSKA and the Hof van Busleyden in Mechelen, modern art for the Mu.ZEE in Ostend, the FeliX Art & Eco Museum in Drogenbos and Gaasbeek Castle.
The SMAK, which was managed by the city of Ghent, will become a regional museum and remains the center of the contemporary art cluster. The Muhka, for its part, would retain its museum status without details for the moment if it joins the contemporary cluster. No details, either, regarding a renovation or even a reconstruction of the museum. The minister says she wants “strengthen collaboration between museums and allow our Flemish museums to join the international elite. »
It was also announced that general meetings would be held on the future of the visual arts in Flanders, with a view to establishing long-term recommendations. By June, a reflection document in which the museums concerned will collaborate should draw the lines of a common future for the Flemish museum landscape.
