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Museums

M HKA - Museum of Contemporary Art

4 · 1,843 reviews
Intellectually stimulating and open.
M HKA - Museum of Contemporary Art, Leuvenstraat 32, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Interesting facts
1

The museum building was originally a grain storage warehouse built in the 1920s.

2

It houses a significant archive of the 'Wide White Space' gallery, which was pivotal for Belgian conceptual art in the 1960s and 70s.

3

The institution operates an extensive research library that houses thousands of artist books and exhibition catalogues.

4

M HKA serves as the home for the Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp foundation, which manages a collection of over 5,000 items.

5

The rooftop terrace features a sculpture by the Belgian artist Panamarenko.

6

The museum frequently collaborates on cross-border European art research projects and exchanges.

Overview

M HKA is a major international museum of contemporary art, film, and visual culture housed in a converted grain warehouse in Antwerp's Zuid district. The museum focuses on the shifting relationship between artist, spectator, and the social context of art. Its collection includes works by Panamarenko, Jimmie Durham, and Luc Tuymans, among others. The institution frequently explores the avant-garde, media art, and non-Western perspectives through a rotating exhibition program. The building features an expansive roof terrace and a library dedicated to contemporary art research. It functions as both an exhibition space and a site for public discourse and experimental film screenings.

Photo spot

The rooftop terrace provides an excellent vantage point of the city architecture.

Insider tips

Check the official website for current temporary exhibition rotations before visiting, as they change frequently.

Visit the library on the top floor if you are interested in deep-dive research into specific contemporary artists.

Head to the roof terrace on clear days for an elevated view of the surrounding Zuid district.

What to avoid

Do not assume all floors have permanent collections on display, as the museum prioritizes rotating temporary exhibitions.

Good to know

Closed on Mondays.

Etiquette

Refrain from touching artwork; photography for personal use is usually permitted but check for 'no photography' signs on individual sensitive pieces.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
2-3 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday afternoons for the quietest experience; Thursday evenings for potential late-night programming.
Address
M HKA - Museum of Contemporary Art, Leuvenstraat 32, 2000 Antwerpen, Belgium
Website
51.211, 4.390
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsWorks by Panamarenko, Luc Tuymans, and the Wide White Space archives

Frequently asked

Plan for about 2-3 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday afternoons for the quietest experience; Thursday evenings for potential late-night programming..

The rooftop terrace provides an excellent vantage point of the city architecture.

Close by you'll find Cathedral of Our Lady, MAS - Museum aan de Stroom, Zoo Antwerpen.