With a big party on 17 May 2025, the Middelheim Museum in Antwerp starts a summer full of activities to celebrate its 75th anniversary. Until September, the museum invites everyone to experience the renewed layout in the park. 

New guided tours, drawing studios with artists, audio tours and an outdoor library inspire familiar and new visitors to enjoy the art park with a new perspective.

75 years of Middelheim Museum

In 2025, the Middelheim Museum will celebrate its 75th anniversary. The opportunity to proudly celebrate the history of the museum, and what makes it so special today: the best of sculpture combined with the most beautiful of nature. And the love for the museum that visitors pass on from generation to generation.

“For 75 years, the Middelheim Museum has brought together a world of people. Artists and hikers, locals and tourists, researchers and poetic souls. Culture seekers and peace seekers, day trippers and loyal friends, numerous communities and partners. Such a place is vital in the city, where different perspectives come together. Where there is room for peace, study and reflection. But where art can also initiate conversations and new ideas. In the Middelheim Museum, oxygen for the body also means oxygen for your thoughts”, Lien Van de Kelder (Vooruit), Alderman for Culture in Antwerp, says

Familiar and always new

For its 75th anniversary, the Middelheim Museum is building an extensive programme around the exceptional collection in an exceptional environment.

“Many people still have to discover the new collection exhibition. And for those who have already done so, there are many new works to discover. This will also be possible from this spring in an extensive public programme. We were inspired by our visitors themselves. We see them looking at art, but also writing, reading and drawing in the collection exhibition. And we often hear that the Middelheim Museum is also a place for them to let go, to blow off steam, to recharge their batteries. That has inspired us to develop activities in which that creative view is given all the space. In this way, the collection and the park together are a spark for new ways of looking, and for the creation of new works of art”, Sara Weyns, director of the Middelheim Museum, says.

Some public favourites are back this summer after a long absence. After a thorough restoration, the large red mirrored sphere ‘Yayoi‘ (2005) by Corey McCorkle can be seen again this summer, as can the interactive works ‘Project pour un Jardin‘ by Roman Signer and ‘One Minute Sculpture’ by Erwin Wurm. The monumental flag installation by Anne-Mie Van Kerckhoven was given a new layout, and in Het Huis, ‘Dabei sein ist alles‘ (2006) by Kati Heck is given a new layout.

The chalk artwork ‘Le Tag/200m‘ or ‘Deadline Middelheim 2019‘ (2017) by Joëlle Tuerlinckx is being redrawn every week this summer. The raging skytubes by Dennis Tyfus are also coming back to life this summer in ‘The Pogo Never Stops‘ (2018).​

But there are also beautiful new loans to be found in the collection exhibition, such as the monumental alphabet work ‘Foor Azart – Fairground Azart‘ (1989) by Guy Rombouts and Monica Droste, the impressive ‘PRANK‘ series by Phyllida Barlow (2022/23), ‘Enclosure‘ (2021) and ‘Servant, clown or enemy‘ (2024) by Aline Bouvy and ‘Bambatha I‘ (2023) by Zanele Muholi.

Makers in action

The summer programme focuses on the different ways in which the Middelheim Museum encourages new makers to create. This creates new meanings and new relationships between people and art.

The Braem Pavilion will become an open drawing studio. Three artists from the collection – Joëlle Tuerlinckx, Peter Rogiers and Paul Kindersley – will give a one-off drawing studio. Caro Orcaro will give queer model drawing sessions. Drawing classes and groups can use the studio free of charge – after reservation. Visitors can also always take a look. Drawing collective TUIG will provide free sketchbooks that invite you to draw outside in the park.

Thirteen literary makers – including Pascale Platel, Lisette Ma Neza, Peter Verhelst, IKRAAAN and Lize Spit – were inspired by their favourite work in the collection. In an audio tour through the park, curated by literary curator Uschi Cop, visitors hear all the stories, poems and texts and can sometimes see the makers live at work. 

For the temporary outdoor library, the museum made a selection from 25,000 art books and magazines. Readers can visit individually, but also during organised SamenLeesmomenten. Dennis Tyfus organises the idiosyncratic poetry festival ‘Poets Wederom Poets‘ in the De Nor pavilion.

Actors from the improvisation theatre guide visitors through the collection, straight through facts and fiction: not everything should be taken seriously. 

Special interview talent Sarah Vandeursen made a podcast with testimonials from the museum attendants with ‘I’m not suppoost to… ‘. The female artist collective The Zangles developed new gadgets for the museum shop and recommends them during performances with a sense of irony. And for those who prefer to put their body to work, there is a yoga session every month.

Party on 17 May

On 17 May, the museum kicks off its summer program. New art and new makers offer new perspectives on the park and its collection. This also includes a party: a ceremonial moment to emphasize that this is an important tradition in the Middelheim Museum.

“For 75 years, new generations of artists have been relating to our cultural heritage here. Sometimes they look with a critical eye, sometimes they find a source of inspiration. It has resulted in a beautiful collection, with important works. But also: time and again, artists encourage the museum to learn, develop and adapt. We are grateful to them for that too: we would like to say that loud and clear with this party. Especially now that we see – also internationally – how the value of contemporary art deserves much more recognition. In addition to artists, many other groups and individuals have helped the Middelheim Museum to continue to develop. Together they form the partners, communities and public of the museum. We would also like to thank them and bring them together to celebrate all those contributions. That is what birthday parties are for: celebrating that you create a (museum) life together”, museum director Weyns says.

There will be free activities throughout the day in which visitors can explore the summer programme for the first time: Literary makers bring their text live to their favourite works in the art park. The humorous tours ‘Niet ernst!‘ will start. 

The first model drawing session will take place in the Braempaviljoen, and in the park the people from TUIG will get people over the drawing threshold. At Het Huis everyone can warm up in a morning yoga session. The Zangles will bring two performances to get greedy. Food trucks will provide the hunger and thirst, live music will create the atmosphere and in the evening there will be a dance party for everyone.

In some cases, registration in advance is recommended.

Practical information.

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• 2025 at the museums of Antwerp.
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