Culture and art in Belgium

Extra City Kunsthal

Extra City Kunsthal is a contemporary art institution in Antwerp that has occupied a former Dominican monastery complex on Provinciestraat since 2020. The venue pairs an ambitious exhibition programme with a striking building that blends sacred and industrial architecture, turning a visit here into an encounter with the city's history as much as with contemporary art. What is Extra City Kunsthal? It is a mid-sized art organisation firmly rooted in Antwerp's cultural ecosystem. Rather than competing with the city's other institutions, Extra City positions itself as a complement to them, offering a platform for projects that are challenging, socially relevant, and often explicitly political in tone. The programme is designed to give room to emerging artists just starting out, as well as to established names looking to experiment outside the usual gallery format. Where does the building's story begin? The building housing the kunsthal has a layered past. The monastery church on Provinciestraat was completed in 1925, designed by architect Frans Mertens. Unlike conventional religious architecture of its time, the structure has an irregular floor plan and austere, almost industrial facades — a deliberate choice reflecting the Dominican belief in aligning spiritual life closely with the surrounding urban environment. In 1957, an ornately decorated bourgeois house was added to the complex, further diversifying its architectural character. The Dominican friars left the site in 2002, after which the complex went through a series of temporary uses over nearly two decades. The turning point came in 2020, when Extra City relocated into the former monastery church itself. The transformation of the space for exhibition purposes was entrusted to Rotor, a cooperative design practice known for working closely with existing structures and reclaimed materials rather than starting from scratch. What else is inside the complex? Beyond the exhibition halls, the former monastery grounds also house artists' studios, a bar, and a small cinema, alongside offices used by partner organisations. This mix means the site functions less like a conventional gallery and more like an active cultural hub, where artists, local residents, and visiting art lovers regularly cross paths. Why is it worth visiting? Extra City's programme tends to favour work that steps outside conventional gallery formats — art engaged with social, political, or urban themes rather than purely aesthetic concerns. That focus draws both regulars from Antwerp's contemporary art scene and travellers looking for something beyond the city's more traditional museum circuit. The building itself, with its visible monastic past and industrial edge, is reason enough to stop by, regardless of which exhibition happens to be on show. Frequently asked questions How is Extra City Kunsthal different from a traditional art museum? It has no permanent collection. Instead, it runs a rotating programme of contemporary art exhibitions, often tied to current social themes. Where exactly is the kunsthal located? Inside a former Dominican complex on Provinciestraat in Antwerp, occupying the former monastery church built in 1925. Since when has Extra City been at this location? The institution moved into its current home in 2020, following a redesign of the building led by the practice Rotor. What else can visitors find on site besides exhibitions? The complex also includes artists' studios, a bar, and a small cinema, along with offices belonging to partner organisations.

Plattelandscentrum Meetjesland

Sint-Laureins

Plattelandscentrum Meetjesland is a small rural education and community centre in Sint-Laureins, housed in a former dairy at Leemweg 24. It combines regional information services for the Meetjesland area with community and educational work focused on countryside life, farming and local products. What is Plattelandscentrum Meetjesland? It is a non-profit organisation (vzw) whose goal is to present the rural character of the Meetjesland region to residents and visitors in a creative, approachable way. Its work rests on four pillars: Het Plattelandslab (a lab for rural initiatives), Hoeve- en Streekproducten (farm and regional products), Het Platteland Beleven (experiencing the countryside), and De Huysmanhoeve, a related provincial heritage site. What is the history of the building? The building that now houses the centre used to be a dairy on Leemweg in Sint-Laureins. After the dairy closed, the premises were used successively as a meat-boning facility and then as a furniture workshop. In 1994 the municipality of Sint-Laureins bought the building and converted it into a multi-purpose public facility. It now houses an administrative centre for rural-themed school programmes, the municipal library, a multi-purpose hall, a meeting room, the rural centre itself, and a youth centre. As a result, a single former industrial building became a shared meeting point for several community functions. What can visitors do there? The centre runs activities aimed at both local residents and visitors exploring Meetjesland. These include promoting local farm and regional products, organising events centred on discovering the rural landscape, and working with the local community through its "Onze Community" programme. It also acts as a contact point for people interested in volunteering or rural initiatives in the area. How to get there and get in touch? Plattelandscentrum Meetjesland is located at Leemweg 24, 9980 Sint-Laureins, in a building shared with the local library and youth centre. It is open on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Visitors can reach the centre by phone or email to arrange a visit or ask about upcoming events. Frequently asked questions Is this a museum? No, it functions more as an educational and community centre focused on promoting rural life and local products rather than as a traditional museum. Is admission free? As a non-profit organisation, its general information services appear to be free of charge, though specific events may have their own participation terms. What else is in the same building? Besides the rural centre, the former dairy building also houses the municipal library and a youth centre, making it a local community hub. Who is this place for? It suits residents interested in farming and regional products, as well as visitors wanting to learn more about the rural character of Meetjesland.

CINEMATEK

Bruksela

CINEMATEK CINEMATEK is the operating name of the Royal Belgian Film Archive, the national cinematheque of Belgium, based in Brussels. For decades the institution has served as the custodian of Belgium's cinematic heritage, collecting, preserving and making accessible an extensive film collection. What does CINEMATEK do? At its core, the institution is an archive: it gathers film prints, conserves them and digitises material so it survives the natural decay of film stock over time. The collection places particular emphasis on Belgian cinema, spanning fiction, documentary and experimental works produced throughout the country's film history. Alongside domestic productions, the archive also holds a broader cross-section of world cinema, making CINEMATEK one of the more significant film archives in Europe. The material it preserves is not simply kept in storage — the institution actively shares it with the public. This happens through regular film screenings that let audiences see, on the big screen, titles rarely available through standard cinema or streaming distribution, including silent-era classics, archival productions and rare prints. What else does it offer? Beyond screenings, CINEMATEK organises exhibitions covering the history of cinema, its creators and film-making technique. This means the institution functions not only as an archive but also as an educational and exhibition space, introducing visitors to the development of film as an art form from its earliest days. Its activities are complemented by educational programmes aimed at schools as well as the wider public interested in the history and theory of film. Through this combination, CINEMATEK bridges the role of a national archive with that of an active cultural venue, open to residents and visitors to Brussels alike. When is it worth visiting? CINEMATEK is open most days of the week, though hours vary depending on the day. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays (including public holidays), the institution welcomes visitors from 17:30 until at least 21:30. On Thursdays and Sundays it opens earlier, from 14:30, also closing no earlier than 21:30. On Saturdays, doors open at 16:30, with closing likewise no earlier than 21:30. The same pattern applies to public holidays falling on each respective day. Because opening hours are closely tied to the screening schedule, it's worth checking the current programme before planning a visit. Frequently asked questions Is CINEMATEK just a regular cinema? Not quite — it is primarily a national film archive and cinematheque that, alongside preserving and conserving film prints, also runs regular screenings, exhibitions and educational activities. What kind of films can you see there? The programme is based mainly on archival holdings, with a particular focus on Belgian cinema, complemented by a broader selection of world film classics. Are there exhibitions as well? Yes, the institution organises exhibitions dedicated to the history of film, its creators, and the techniques of shooting and production. Are the programmes also aimed at children and schools? CINEMATEK's educational programmes are open to a range of audiences, including students and anyone interested in deepening their knowledge of film. What time is best to visit? It depends on the day of the week — on Thursdays and Sundays the institution opens as early as 14:30, on other weekdays from 17:30, and on Saturdays from 16:30.