Vanhaerents Art Collection

About the museum

The Vanhaerents Art Collection is a family collection of contemporary art. Walter Vanhaerents originally wanted to study medicine but, for family reasons, joined his father’s construction company. His work as an entrepreneur gave him the means to start collecting art from the 1970s onwards. His studies in film aesthetics, Andy Warhol’s ‘slow films’ and, in the 1980s, visits to museums in Mönchengladbach and Cologne were decisive, after which he opted for an international, conceptually oriented collection. He later expanded it together with his children Els and Joost.

On 16 March 2007 the collection opened its Brussels space in a converted industrial building from 1926 on the Anneessensstraat, in the Dansaert district. The former sanitary depot of 3,500 m² was transformed by the architects Robbrecht en Daem into a mix of storage, exhibition space and workshop. The first exhibitions ran for several years and were supplemented by solo projects in the Project Space, including works by Mark Handforth, David Altmejd, Philippe Parreno and Tomás Saraceno.

In 2015 came a first major international presentation at the 56th Venice Biennale. Since 2018 the collection has worked with the Viewing Depot, modelled on the Schaulager: the public gains access to the collection, while preservation, research and loans are guaranteed. Visitors also see the processes behind showing art, such as conservation and installation.

Highlights

• Family collection of contemporary art, built up since the 1970s
• Viewing Depot: open depot with changing displays
• Former 1926 industrial building, converted by Robbrecht en Daem
• Project Space for solo projects by artists
• Guided visit by a member of the Vanhaerents family

Permanent exhibition

• Viewing Depot – In the open depot the collection shows its works in changing displays, with views of storage and installation.

Founded

2007

Admission & discounts

Children under 12 are also free on guided tours. The Museumcard is not valid as an admission ticket.

Accessibility

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

The collection is accessible to wheelchair users.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum is in the Dansaert district of Brussels.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

The space is available for events on request; a tailor-made quote is possible via the website.

Plan your visit