M HKA – Museum van Hedendaagse Kunst Antwerpen

About the museum

The museum has its origins in the Internationaal Cultureel Centrum (I.C.C.), which opened in 1970 in the former Royal Palace on the Antwerp Meir and was the first public institution for contemporary art in Flanders. In 1977 Gordon Matta-Clark made the work Office Baroque on commission from the I.C.C.; after his death in 1978, artists donated works to support the foundation or to form a basic collection for a new museum.

In 1982 the Flemish Community decided to establish the museum in the Zuid district. In 1985 a former grain silo on Leuvenstraat was bought and converted. On 20 September 1985 the M HKA was officially founded; on 20 June 1987 it opened with around 150 artworks from the Matta-Clark foundation as the core of the collection. Flor Bex was the first director. The museum is organised as a non-profit association (vzw), but is closely linked to the Flemish Community, which owns the buildings and the collection.

Since 2002 the museum has worked with a seasonal model, with one large exhibition and changing collection presentations; since the merger with the Centrum voor Beeldcultuur in 2003 it has also focused on visual culture. The M HKA also manages the former home and studio of Panamarenko at Biekorfstraat 2. The collection comprises more than 6,500 works, including by Francis Alÿs, Marlène Dumas, Jan Fabre and Kutluğ Ataman. The Centrum Kunstarchieven Vlaanderen is housed in the museum.

Highlights

• Collection of contemporary art from the 1960s to today, including Gordon Matta-Clark, Panamarenko and Otobong Nkanga
• Roof terrace with a Skyspace by James Turrell
• M HKAFE with a mural by Keith Haring
• Library and reading room (free to access)
• The Cinema in the De Studio arts centre

Founded

1985

Operated by

M HKA vzw (Vlaamse Gemeenschap)

Visitors per year

approx. 96,759

Admission & discounts

Free entry is available to, among others, holders of a museum pass, the Muhka Student Pass, Friends of Muhka, members of ICOM and CIMAM, holders of an Antwerp City Pass, an Omnio status or social tariff, members of the Royal Antwerp Guides Association, and the press. Reduced and free rates apply only on presentation of a valid card or proof. During the set-up of the major exhibition, everyone pays €3. Without a ticket you can access the M HKAFE and roof terrace, the collection presentations on the ground floor, INBOX and SUPERHOST on the fifth and sixth floors, and the library (Tuesday to Friday 11:00–17:00).

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

There are two lifts: the small lift at the desk (door opening 79.7 cm) reaches all floors except the archive presentation, and the large lift (door opening 99.8 cm) reaches the ground floor and the second, fourth and sixth floors; ask at the desk for access. Wheelchairs and walking chairs can be borrowed free of charge at the desk. There is a toilet for wheelchair users on the ground floor. For a visit with autism there is a visual step-by-step plan; noise-reducing headphones for children and earplugs for adults can be borrowed. Guides trained for blind and partially sighted visitors offer tailored tours. The archive presentation is only reachable by stairs.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities

There are family days, holiday workshops, family guided tours with creative assignments, the MuhkaDEE tour for toddlers, and the philosophical card game Filospook, based on works from the collection. Pushchairs and buggies are permitted; changing tables are in the toilets on the ground floor and on the fourth floor. Noise-reducing headphones can be borrowed for children. Visitors under 18 enter free.

Getting there & parking

Velo bike-share station and bicycle parking nearby. Park-and-ride car parks on the edge of the city are recommended.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

M HKAFE on the fourth floor (Tuesday to Sunday 11:00–18:00; no reservation or ticket needed), with a roof terrace in fine weather. The museum shop on the ground floor is accessible without a ticket. Free lockers at the entrance (a €1 coin or a token from the desk); there is also an unattended cloakroom for groups. Bags, rucksacks, umbrellas and water bottles are not allowed in the galleries. Eating and drinking are only allowed in the museum café, the dining room and on the roof terrace.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit