Collective of Antwerp Galleries Issues Formal Notice of Default to Minister of Culture Gennez
3 April 2026 – Press release
A collective of Antwerp art galleries, including Tim Van Laere Gallery, Frank Demaegd (Zeno-X), Sofie Van De Velde, Rik Rosseel, and Keteleer Gallery, today issued a formal notice of default to the Flemish Minister of Culture regarding the plans announced on October 3, 2025, to restructure the Flemish museum landscape and the abrupt decision to cancel the long-planned new construction of the M HKA.
“Terminating such a vital project for the art sector without proper justification and without assessing its consequences is not just poor policy—it is legally indefensible,” the galleries state.
Read the full press release hereAntwerp galleries send open letter to M HKA Board: "M HKA is a fundamental pillar of the art world"
26 February 2026 – Open letter
Dozens of leading Antwerp galleries have sent an open letter to the Board of the M HKA, expressing their deep concern about the future of the museum. Signatories include renowned galleries such as Zeno X Gallery, Tim Van Laere Gallery, Keteleer Gallery, and Axel Vervoordt Gallery, who emphasize that the M HKA is not an optional cultural player, but a fundamental pillar of the Antwerp and international art scene.
Read the full open letter hereResponse to the “Action Plan for the Flemish Museum Landscape and the Visual Arts”
2 February 2026 - 5:03 pm – Mission
On Friday 30 January, Minister of Culture Caroline Gennez presented the “Action Plan for the Flemish Museum Landscape and the Visual Arts” to the Flemish Government. In recent months, some small positive moves have been made, motivated by concerns from the arts field and various involved organisations (but without engaging in a dialogue with them). An opening has been created for maintaining the museum status of M HKA, and the new “Action Plan” refers to the creation of a general assembly for the visual arts and the museum sector, with representatives from the field. While we acknowledge these positive steps, we are left with a number of critical concerns regarding this new “Action Plan”, which is marked by a high degree of vagueness:
Read the full mission hereWhy Minister Gennez should employ an artist
14 January 2026 - 6:00 am – Opinion
Danny Devos calls on Flemish Minister of Culture Caroline Gennez to actively involve artists in the future vision for Flemish museums.
Read the full opinion hereTeam Zuid Issues Formal Notice to Minister Gennez: ‘Restart M HKA Construction or Face Legal Action’
14 January 2026 – Open letter
Team Zuid, the neighborhood committee representing residents, entrepreneurs, and gallery owners in Antwerp’s Zuid district, sent a registered letter of default to Flemish Minister of Culture Caroline Gennez on January 14, 2026. In the letter, the committee demands the immediate resumption of the construction project for the new M HKA at Zuidersluis, which was abruptly canceled after 10 years of preparation—without consultation with the neighborhood or stakeholders.
Read the full open letter here