FOMU Fotomuseum Antwerpen

About the museum

The roots of FOMU go back to 1965, when the exhibition “125 Jaar Fotografie” was organised at the Sterckshof in Deurne. From it grew a permanent photography department, which came under the Province of Antwerp. At the end of 1980 that department moved to the Karel Oomsstraat and adopted the name Museum voor Fotografie.

In 1986 the museum found a home in the renovated Pakhuis Vlaanderen on the Waalsekaai. Architect Georges Baines later added a new wing. After the renovation around 2000 the house reopened as the Fotomuseum, with some 1,400 m² of exhibition space. Later the Lieven Gevaerttoren was added, which according to the museum is the first energy-efficient photo depot in Europe.

The core of the collection consists of loans from Agfa-Gevaert and the archive of that company's former publications department. In addition, FOMU holds cameras, photographs and a library. The museum shows changing exhibitions on historical and contemporary photography, and the building also houses a museum café, a shop and a cinema hall.

Highlights

• Large photo collection with prints, equipment and archives
• Changing exhibitions on historical and contemporary photography
• Photo library for visitors
• Historic warehouse with a new wing
• Museum café and museum shop in the building

Founded

1965

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free every first Tuesday of the month for Antwerp residents with an A-card

Free admission with a Museumpas, as a FOMU Friend or member of FOMU Academy (with a valid card), with an ICOM card or a card of the Friends of the Antwerp museums, for press (on request) and for the accompanying teacher of a school group. Tickets are available online.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Ramp to the entrance, lowered information desk and a lift to all floors and exhibition rooms. One wheelchair can be borrowed; reserve it in advance via info@fomu.be. There are two adapted toilets with grab rails. Assistance dogs are allowed; report them at the reception desk.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly

With the free FOMU doebox, available at the desk, children aged 6 to 12 discover the exhibitions through search, drawing and thinking tasks. Pushchairs may be brought inside; folding models fit in a locker.

Getting there & parking

FOMU lies within Antwerp's low-emission zone. Holders of a parking card for people with a disability park free in the city centre after a one-time registration. Bicycles can be parked in the covered bicycle shelter of the car park (about 2 minutes on foot); a Velo station is next to the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

The museum café is to the left of the entrance and serves lunch and drinks (Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00). Eating and drinking are not allowed in the exhibition rooms. The museum shop is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00-18:00. The cloakroom is unattended; valuables belong in a free locker on the ground floor.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 148 guests.

Two meeting rooms (for 20 and 40 people) and two cinema halls (89 and 148 seats). The entrance hall can be hired for receptions; catering is provided through the museum café.

Plan your visit