S.M.A.K.: contemporary art in Ghent

The city of Ghent is quirky, just like its contemporary art museum. Considered the most important collection of contemporary art in Belgium, S.M.A.K.'s collection contains more than 5,000 works of art, from post-WWII to the present day. The museum exhibits works of art from its own collection in dialogue with pieces by contemporary artists from all over the world. In addition to top works from leading art movements such as CoBrA, pop art, minimalist art, conceptual art, and arte povera, several artists who have since become world leaders are represented. Since it is impossible to display this extensive collection permanently, the exhibition programme is regularly rotated to present a changing selection. The museum also organises new exhibitions several times a year that show current works which could be tomorrow's masterpieces.

Marcel Broodthaers (1924-1976) was one of the most influential figures in 20th-century art history. The impact of his activities as an artist was not only noticed in his own country at the time. He also made his international breakthrough quickly and the image of his work is permanent. The Broodthaerskabinet is a permanent presentation of works of art, editions, books and archive pieces by Marcel Broodthaers from the museum’s collection.

The Broodthaerskabinet is currently closed for renovations.

Under the inspiring leadership of the controversial curator and ‘art mogul’ Jan Hoet, the former ‘contemporary art wing’ of the MSK was given its own museum, the S.M.A.K. Fifteen years ago, Philippe Van Cauteren took the helm of the Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art. He looks at the art world with an open mind and keeps a keen eye on the relationship between art and a changing society.

Kids are always welcome at S.M.A.K. When exploring a major exhibition, they will be inspired by works of art and learn to attribute meaning to art themselves.

In the coming years, S.M.A.K. aims to permanently present 500 works from the collection and continue to invite contemporary artists. The current S.M.A.K. museum stays at the same location, but will get a branch on the other side of Floraliënhal, in the former casino. The masterplan also proposes to open up Floraliënhal and build an underground floor to create more storage space. 

You can finish your visit to the museum in the S.M.A.K.-café aka Wilde Weide.

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In the museum shop of the S.M.A.K., you can find art books for people of all ages, posters, cycling jerseys and postcards, among other things.