Muhka responds to Flemish Government’s decision on its status and future

After the cancellation of the new building project last Friday, the Muhka-team has been dealt a second heavy setback today. The Flemish Government has decided that Muhka will lose its status as a museum and be transformed into an international art centre by 2028. The museum function for contemporary art in Flanders will be transferred to S.M.A.K. in Ghent.

Muhka deeply regrets this decision, which affects not only the institution’s operations but also the wider cultural ecosystem in Antwerp and across Flanders. For years, the museum has been developing a collection vision that is both locally rooted and internationally connected. Since its foundation, Muhka has played a pioneering role in contemporary art in Flanders and has been a vibrant place where art, artists, and audiences meet.

Art is always resilient — and so is Muhka. Despite these decisions, the museum remains open and committed to its mission: to present art, spark conversations, and keep a sharp view of the world. This Thursday, we open a new season with six exhibitions — a powerful testament to the vitality of contemporary art in Antwerp.

“We invite everyone to come in large numbers on Thursday,” says the Muhka team. “We are here, we will remain here, and we will stay open.”

Opening of the new exhibition season
Thursday 9 October 2025, 8:00 PM
Muhka, Leuvenstraat 32, Antwerp
Free admission & drink

Muhka thanks its visitors, artists, and partners for their continued support and solidarity. Together, we will keep working towards a strong future for contemporary art in Antwerp.

Image: Agnieszka Polska, The New Sun, 2017. Courtesy Dawid Radziszewski Gallery. Photo Muhka. Exhibition view IN SITU: Agnieszka Polska – Flowers on the Sun, Muhka, 21 September 2024–12 January 2025