Vleeshal

About the museum

The Vleeshal is located in the former meat hall of the old town hall on Middelburg's Market Square. The building, with its distinctly Gothic architecture, pointed arches and checkerboard tiled floor, is considered a demanding alternative to the usual white exhibition space and has brought the venue international recognition.

The institution emerged in 1975 from the Gemeentelijke Culturele Dienst Middelburg, a municipal cultural service whose main task was to build up an art collection. In 1992 the organisation was restructured and renamed Stichting Beeldende Kunst Middelburg, which is still the name of the supporting foundation today. From 2000 to 2017 there was a second exhibition venue on Zusterstraat, which closed on 1 October 2017 owing to municipal budget cuts.

Today the Vleeshal shows a new exhibition roughly every three months with international and Dutch artists, who are often at the start of their careers and develop new works specifically for the unusual space. In addition there is the Oemoemenoe project, in which artists work together with associations and companies across Zeeland, educational programmes, over 300 publications since 1975, and the management of the municipal art collection, including about forty works in Middelburg's public space. As the only institution for contemporary art in Zeeland, it maintains close ties with the regional scene and awards the Vleeshal Art Prize.

Highlights

• Gothic former meat hall on the Market Square as an unusual exhibition space
• New exhibition roughly every three months, solo and group shows
• Only institution for contemporary art in Zeeland
• Free admission with a free guided tour on the first Sunday of every month
• Low-stimulus openings and accessibility materials

Founded

1975

Operated by

Stichting Beeldende Kunst Middelburg (SBKM)

Admission & discounts

Free admission: First Sunday of every month

Museumkaart and ICOM card: free admission.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom: not available
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

There is a small threshold of under 2.5 cm at the entrance; the exhibition space has no steps but has an uneven old tiled floor and is accessible by wheelchair. There is no lift; the toilets can only be reached via stairs, and an accessible toilet and a baby-changing table are available at the restaurant MarktCafé, about 80 m away. The nearest disabled parking space is in the Bodenplaats car park. Companions free; assistance dogs welcome; room texts in large print at reception. Low-stimulus openings are held occasionally, with earplugs, sunglasses and headphones to borrow and a plan of the exhibition; seating and museum stools are available at reception.

Kids & families

• Baby changing facilities: not available

Children and young people under 18 do not pay admission. There is no baby-changing table in the building; one is available at the restaurant MarktCafé (about 80 m away).

Getting there & parking

Bicycle stands to the left of the Vleeshal, level with the Helm.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available

The restaurant MarktCafé is about 80 m away; there is no café in the building.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit