Artists and Curators Defend M HKA Amid Threats to Its Collection and Future

Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven and Tamara Beheydt contribute to a roundtable in Afterall's Issue 59–60 'Infrastructure', addressing the potential dismantling of M HKA's collection due to political and economic pressures. They argue that museums like M HKA, with its site-specific collection rooted in Antwerp's post-war avant-garde, play vital roles in local ecosystems and global dialogues. Van Kerckhoven notes that government subsidies for museums can drive innovation but must adapt to unpredictable artistic trends, while Beheydt emphasizes the value of multiple Flemish museums with distinct visions. The collection includes works by Marcel Broodthaers, Joseph Beuys, James Lee Byars, and Panamarenko, and is managed through ensembles.org for digital access. Artists and donors have expressed concerns, with some requesting returns or withdrawing planned donations due to uncertainty over the museum's future. Legal complexities arise as the Flemish government lacks direct authority over artworks it does not own, prompting calls for protective clauses in transaction documents. The roundtable highlights the economic benefits of cultural tourism and the intrinsic value of maintaining such institutions to prevent impoverishment of the art landscape.