Information

The M HKA is a museum for contemporary art, film and visual culture in its widest sense. It is an open place of encounter for art, artists and the public. The M HKA aspires to play a leading role in Flanders and to extend its international profile by building upon Antwerp's avant-garde tradition. The M HKA bridges the relationship between artistic questions and wider societal issues, between the international and the regional, artists and public, tradition and innovation, reflection and presentation. Central here is the museum's collection with its ongoing acquisitions, as well as related areas of management and research.

M HKA is a cultural-heritage institution of the Flemish community

History
In 1947, Lode Craeybeckx wanted to establish a multipurpose building for cultural activities: he proposed to build a Palace of Liberation in the city park: a place for concerts and other cultural events, but in particular for modern art. However, due the poor financial situation of post-war Antwerp, these plans were quickly put away. In the early sixties, Craeybeckx, then mayor, made a second attempt to build a (national) museum of modern art. This time, he had the plot opposite the Royal Museum of Fine Arts (KMSKA) in mind, the place where the Hippodrome Theatre was in decline. Again, the price tag put an end to the plans.

However, one didn't let go of the idea, and different parties began to work on the creation of a museum of modern art in Antwerp. In 1966, architect Leo Stijnen submitted a proposal to build a museum on pillars near the medieval fortress Het Steen. This project was rejected for fear of impeding the port activities. In 1970, Stijnen submitted a second proposal: in the neighbourhood Linkeroever, he wanted to realise Le Corbusier's unexecuted 'Musée à croissance illimitée' (Museum of unlimited growth). The prestigious project was well received and it was decided to construct it in the Middelheim Park. But construction works were halted because the park was declared a green zone.