Antwerp Fine Arts Museum KMSKA attracts 2 million art lovers since reopening: what makes the museum so popular?

Peter Bernaerts of the Bernaerts auction house regularly gives guided tours of the museum and has noticed how popular the exhibitions are. ‘Sometimes it’s really difficult to get anywhere,’ says Bernaerts. ‘The days when you could come and view the artworks in peace seem to be over. Everyone feels that they have to see all the exhibitions.’

It sometimes reminds Bernaerts of the big museums in London and Paris. ‘That is largely due to the curators’ choice of certain exhibitions.’

According to Schramme, the KMSKA is ‘much more than a museum’. For example, writer Saskia De Coster locked herself in the building for a month to finish her new novel. In addition, the museum also welcomes regular performances.

‘The museum also collaborates with the university and lectures are held there,’ says Schramme. ‘The management has succeeded in making it a lively place by not focusing solely on exhibitions.’

Awesome impact on the neighbourhood

In order to measure the impact of the KMSKA on the neighbourhood, an impact study is usually carried out. ‘For the KMSKA that question has not yet arisen,’ says Schramme. It’s popularity and pull are so overwhelming.

‘A year before the museum opened, we had a crisis meeting with the hospitality industry around the KMSKA,’ says Peter Bernaerts. His auction house has been located in the neighbourhood since 1994. ‘At the time, we wondered what the effect of the museum would be, but it turned out to be very positive.’

According to Bernaerts, the success of the KMSKA has had a major impact on his business and on the neighbourhood. ‘People now visit our establishment more frequently.  This was not the case before the museum opened. Many new restaurants and cafés have also opened in recent years, and those that were already here are always packed.’