{ "title": "Transition of S.M.A.K. to Flemish museum frees up 3M annually for Ghent", "modified_at": "2026-05-27 12:28:59", "published_at": "2026-05-27 12:29:00", "url": "https://www.belganewsagency.eu/transition-of-smak-to-flemish-museum-frees-up-3m-annually-for-ghent", "short_url": "http://prez.ly/05Hd", "culture": "en_BE", "language": "EN", "slug": "transition-of-smak-to-flemish-museum-frees-up-3m-annually-for-ghent", "body": "

The Ghent City Council and the Flemish Government have approved a cooperation agreement allowing S.M.A.K. to evolve from a municipal museum into a Flemish museum for contemporary and current art. The change will release more than 3 million euros annually for Ghent’s cultural policy.

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Three-year transition phase towards Flemish status

The agreement provides for a three-year transition period to facilitate the museum’s shift to Flemish-level governance. During this time, S.M.A.K. is expected to deepen cooperation with other museums and contribute to a more integrated Flemish museum landscape.

“A large part of the funds will flow to the cultural sector via subsidy agreements. With this, the City aims to support organisations, artists, and initiatives that further develop Ghent as a leading centre for contemporary, current, and audiovisual art,” the city said.

A 950,000 EUR transition budget has been allocated, including for the appointment of a transition coordinator. The full transfer is scheduled for 1 January 2029, by which point S.M.A.K. should officially become a Flemish museum.

"This is not an endpoint, but a new beginning"

Once the transition is complete, Flanders will take over S.M.A.K.’s structural operating subsidy. This frees up more than 3 million euros annually for the City of Ghent, which says part of the funds will be redirected to its wider museum and cultural network.

“The expansion of S.M.A.K. into a Flemish museum is not an endpoint, but a new beginning,” said Ghent alderman for culture Astrid De Bruycker. “In this way, we want to put Ghent even more firmly on the map as an international cultural city where art and creativity help shape the future of the city in an accessible way.”

#FlandersNewsService | S.M.A.K. © BELGA PHOTO JONAS D'HOLLANDER

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