M HKA Leadership Opposes Plan to Downgrade Museum to Arts Center

Yolande Avontroodt, acting chair of M HKA's Governing Body, has publicly criticized a Flemish government concept note that would strip the Antwerp institution of its museum status, redefining it as an arts center. The proposal, discussed in the Culture Committee on January 8, 2025, is seen as undermining the museum's core identity, which is intrinsically linked to its permanent collection and its role as an active civic space. Avontroodt argues that contemporary museums are dynamic institutions where heritage fuels public engagement, not static repositories. She warns that reducing M HKA's status would damage Antwerp's position in the contemporary art world, erode international trust, and weaken Flanders' cultural landscape. The institution calls for renewed dialogue focused on preserving M HKA as a full museum.