About KMSKA 

Seven centuries of art: from Flemish Primitives to Expressionists. World-famous masters. The largest and most important collections of James Ensor and Rik Wouters. Yet the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp is much more than even this internationally renowned collection of art. The KMSKA is the only Flemish museum with high-level scientific status.

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Not only are we responsible for conserving, managing and expanding our collection, we also carry out scholarly research into the works, the techniques used, colour, visual language and more besides. In doing so, we challenge received wisdom. We share our newly acquired interpretations with the public, enriching the knowledge of art lovers. The KMSKA operates according to the charter of ICOM, the International Council of Museums.

The Finest Museum: Ten Reasons Why

  1. The KMSKA is home to countless Flemish masters: many of the art works on show were ‘Made in Flanders’.
  2. No fewer than 111 works in the collection are on the Flemish Government’s official Masterpiece List.
  3. Top international names like Fouquet, Titian, Alechinsky, Modigliani, Rodin and Chagall, to name just a few, have a global appeal.
  4. The world’s largest collections of work by James Ensor and Rik Wouters put the KMSKA on the map as the home of modern art pioneers and of revolutionary art.
  5. With its thrilling symbiosis between the powerful new volume and the historic galleries, the new museum building is an architectural gem.
  6. The KMSKA is one of the few Flemish museums with a conservation studio of its own.
  7.  The KMSKA is an internationally renowned research institution too.
  8. With our Artists in Residence programme and cross-overs with the wider cultural sector, the KMSKA has emerged as a breeding ground for outstanding new talent.
  9. The Museum Garden is a gallery in its own right: a green oasis, which brings local people together and offers a tranquil haven in this lively district.
  10. The Finest Feeling shines through in everything we organize, do and represent: a positive emotion that truly affects people. 

The Finest Mission

Mission

The KMSKA manages an outstanding collection of visual art from the Southern Netherlands from the 14th to the 20th centuries, supplemented by international masterpieces. Within the grandeur of an inspiring historic building, we make this art tradition accessible to a wide audience. We share our knowledge on a human scale, through stories that amaze, enrich and connect.

The KMSKA connects

We’re a meeting place. We connect people across generations and cultures.

The KMSKA amazes

We seek innovation within traditions. That’s how we amaze our visitors. We challenge them to reflect. On themselves too. This will keep our heritage up to date and relevant.

The KMSKA enriches

We enrich our visitors through our inspiring approach. It is in dialogue with them that we will grow.

The Finest Vision

The KMSKA is a museum of European excellence:

We focus on providing a high-quality leisure experience. In doing so, we cherish traditions and respond to new trends. We add an extra dimension to the classic museum experience through exhibitions with a 'must-see' signature. To this end, we take a multidisciplinary approach to our collection. We are hospitable and create a warm environment that stirs up emotions. 

We promote the KMSKA as the centre of expertise for James Ensor. We expand our leading position by further investing in research into materials, documentation and the sharing of knowledge. We play a pivotal role in the research on Rubens, in collaboration with Antwerp partners.

We form an enthusiastic and professional team, and convey this to our visitors, partners, authorities and other museums. We are willing to learn. We actively involve our audience in our operations. 

 

The Finest Values

Creative

Just like the artists in our collection, we sometimes colour outside the lines!

Inquisitive

We wish to know everything and share our knowledge with you.

We also like to listen to you.

Hospitable

We create a warm environment that stirs up emotions.

Everyone is welcome!

Enthusiastic

Gusto drives us, humour binds us.

Respectful

We are open to other ideas and opinions.

Every conversation starts with respect.

The team

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors sets the museum’s general policy. The measures and decisions it takes are aligned with the museum’s mission, objectives and continuity. This occurs in close cooperation with the Executive Committee. The board of directors has 11 members: Luk Lemmens (chairman), Caroline Bastiaens (Deputy Chair), Jan Braeckmans, Dirk Bulteel, Ingrid Gonnissen, Virginie Lietaer, Lara Paemen, Guy Peeters, Ingrid Stevens, Steven Verachtert and Dirk Vandekerckhove. 

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee carries out the strategy as formulated and reports to the Board of Directors. It is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the museum. The Committee’s work included supporting the Collections, Exhibitions, Business Management, Marketing & Development teams. Carmen Willems is General Director. 

Collections

This team is responsible for preserving, managing and expanding the collection as well as the conservation of the artworks. It maintains and expands the library and archives to support the collection. The team also conducts research into the collection, resulting in fresh art-historical insights. The museum shares this knowledge with the public.

Exhibitions

The exhibitions team organizes temporary presentations both within and beyond the museum. These  exhibitions explore art-historical themes in greater depth and offer new insights into artists, their techniques and their visual language. Through targeted outreach, the team builds bridges between Flemish cultural heritage and the public at large.

Marketing & Development

The goal if this teal is to introduce as many people as possible in an inviting way to the museum and to the collection. It does do by developing campaigns aimed at a diverse public, from young to old, from tourists to locals. At the same time, this work consolidates the position of the KMSKA as a top museum, both nationally and internationally.

Business Management

A professional back office is indispensable to keep the organisation running. This team keeps its finger on the pulse in the areas of finance & budget, personnel management and IT. The focus of this team is strictly on optimising business processes and organisation-wide support.

Facility

This team is responsible for the professional management of the building, security and infrastructure. With a view to the cultural-historical value of the building and the safety and comfort of all users.