News

• Collective of Antwerp Galleries Issues Formal Notice of Default to Minister of Culture Gennez
  Press release - 3 April 2026
  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.
• Antwerp galleries send open letter to M HKA Board: "M HKA is a fundamental pillar of the art world"
  Open letter - 26 February 2026
  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.
• Response to the “Action Plan for the Flemish Museum Landscape and the Visual Arts”
  Mission - 2 February 2026 - 5:03 pm
  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.
• Why Minister Gennez should employ an artist
  Opinion - 14 January 2026 - 6:00 am
  Danny Devos calls on Flemish Minister of Culture Caroline Gennez to actively involve artists in the future vision for Flemish museums.
• Team Zuid Issues Formal Notice to Minister Gennez: ‘Restart M HKA Construction or Face Legal Action’
  Open letter - 14 January 2026
  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.
• M HKA in Resistance: Museum and Museum at Risk Demand Halt to ‘Unlawful’ Dismantling"
  Mission - 6 January 2026 - 11:12 pm
  The Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp (M HKA) is fighting for its survival. Following the sudden announcement by Flemish Minister of Culture Caroline Gennez (Vooruit) to dismantle the M HKA as a museum and transfer its collection to S.M.A.K. in Ghent, the museum—backed by renowned artists, legal experts, and international museum directors—has, together with Museum at Risk, obtained legal advice branding the plans as "flagrantly unlawful". According to the analysis by honorary counsel Leo Neels (Allen & Overy), Gennez’s concept note violates fundamental principles of good governance, including the principle of legitimate expectations, artists’ moral rights, and the obligation to consult.
• Wie wint de Franken Teut-prijs 2025?
  Statement of Support - 22 December 2025 - 10:25 am
  A just society cannot be built alone. It grows thanks to people who care, organise and continue to believe in solidarity. That is why PVDA Antwerp is once again presenting the Franken Teut Award this year. With this award, we shine a spotlight on organisations and initiatives that make a difference every day, often without receiving the recognition they deserve. People who organise, care, fight and build a city and a world that is more just, warmer and more humane.
• AFI warns: Dissolution of M HKA threatens democratic cultural policy in Belgium
  Open letter - 8 December 2025 - 10:00 am
  Artistic Freedom Initiative (AFI) has sent an open letter to Culture Minister Caroline Gennez, criticizing the sudden dismantling of M HKA as a museum. AFI warns that the decision sets a dangerous precedent for democratic cultural governance and undermines institutional autonomy. The organization calls for transparency, dialogue, and the preservation of M HKA as a permanent institution.
• Where Do We Go From Here? An Open Conversation on the reform of the Flemish museums
  Announcement - 7 December 2025 - 4:59 pm
  NICC organises a public debate for artists, art workers and other cultural professionals to discuss the announced reform of the Flemish museum landscape.
• ARTnews Ranks Closure of M HKA Among Top 25 "Defining Art Events of 2025"
  Statement of Support - 3 December 2025 - 9:59 pm
  A notable acknowledgment of the international impact of local cultural policy