SAVE THE DATE: Antwerp Art Weekend 2026, from 14 to 17 May 2026

From 14 to 17 May 2026, Antwerp Art is organising the 12th edition of Antwerp Art Weekend. For four days, contemporary art will once again take over the entire city of Antwerp with an extensive programme of exhibitions, events, performances, talks and festive encounters.

More than 70 galleries, museums, art institutions and project spaces open their doors and present a rich and diverse programme. Antwerp Art Weekend invites art lovers, collectors, professionals and curious visitors to discover Antwerp's dynamic contemporary art scene.

Antwerp Art Weekend is a city-wide event for contemporary art in Antwerp, where art venues in and around the city join forces to celebrate and promote contemporary art. It is the best way to discover the city's thriving art scene, with a plethora of galleries, art spaces and museums to visit.

For years, Antwerp has established itself as one of the most dynamic art cities in Belgium and Europe. The city combines an exceptional artistic history — from the Flemish masters to the 20th-century avant-garde — with a particularly vibrant contemporary art scene. Scattered throughout the city are leading museums such as M HKA, KMSKA, FOMU, Middelheim Museum and MoMu, a network of renowned galleries, and a strong presence of art schools such as the Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp and Sint Lucas Antwerp.

The combination of museums, galleries, artists' studios and international events makes Antwerp an attractive destination for art professionals, collectors and curators. International media regularly highlight the city's unique position. For instance, The New York Times described Antwerp as an "artistic hotspot", while titles such as The Observer and Le Monde praise the city for its rich collecting tradition, strong gallery scene and growing international appeal.

Events such as Antwerp Art Weekend, along with a large number of exhibitions and artist-run spaces, underline how Antwerp remains an open and experimental place for both emerging talent and internationally established artists.

"Antwerp Art Weekend takes over the city for four days with contemporary art. It shows how powerful, diverse and vibrant Antwerp's arts sector is today. Young and old can be surprised by the many special venues, galleries, museums and arts centres our city has to offer. The varied programming presents art that challenges, moves and makes you think, and makes us eagerly look forward to strolling through our city — also with our children — during the wonderfully long Ascension weekend. With this collaboration, we continue to give room to young talent and established names, reach a broad and inclusive audience, and strengthen Antwerp as a city for contemporary art."
- Lien Van de Kelder, Alderman for Culture, city of Antwerp

Meeting, discovery and collaboration

The 2026 edition once again focuses on meeting, discovery and collaboration within the Antwerp art landscape, with a number of new emphases.

For the fourth time in 2026, Antwerp Art will organise the Antwerp Art Graduation Prize Exhibition, focusing on recently graduated artists from Antwerp art schools. With this initiative, Antwerp Art aims to support the development of young artists to boost the start of their professional carreer. Each year, two master’s students are selected on the basis of their graduation project: one from the Royal Academy of Fine Arts (KASKA) and one from Sint Lucas (SLA). The graduation prize consists of a cash prize and an exhibition of new work during Antwerp Art Weekend.

The 2025 laureates who will exhibit their work are Charlotte Daniëlse (KASKA) and Marta Meers (SLA).

In addition, the OFF Program continues to expand to more than 30 venues. This parallel programme brings together independent initiatives, artist collectives and alternative spaces, highlighting the versatility of the local art ecosystem.

Antwerp Art is also working on a new visual identity this year, developed by Vrints-Kolsteren (with whom Antwerp Art has developed a long-term relationship). The rebranding includes a new logo, font and corporate identity that will give the platform a fresh look and feel.

As in previous editions, M HKA — Museum of Contemporary Art Antwerp — will once again act as the central hub and info point during the weekend. This is where visitors can go for information, meetings and various activities.

Practical

Antwerp Art Weekend 2026
14 - 17 May 2026
Antwerp, Belgium

Antwerp Art Weekend cordially invites everyone to the opening party on 14 May from 21:00 on the roof terrace of M HKA, to festively start this edition together.

The full programme will be announced shortly.

More information: www.antwerpartweekend.be

Antwerp Art

Since 2014, Antwerp Art has been connecting and promoting the activities of its vibrant contemporary art scene, ranging from renowned museums and galleries, to project spaces, the artist-in-residence programme, two leading art schools, the Kunsthal and young, emerging artists' initiatives, by listing relevant exhibitions and organising the annual Antwerp Art Weekend.

Antwerp Art is supported by its members, and by the City of Antwerp since 2014.

antwerpart.be

All members Antwerp Art 2026