Jewish museum closes for three-year renovation
The Jewish Museum of Belgium will close for several years in order to undergo “a true metamorphosis”, according to the museum’s management. An ambitious renovation and expansion project is expected to take at least three years, with the reopening of
The Jewish Museum of Belgium will close for several years in order to undergo “a true metamorphosis”, according to the museum’s management.
An ambitious renovation and expansion project is expected to take at least three years, with the reopening of the museum currently scheduled for 2028.
The museum currently focuses on “preserving Belgium's Jewish heritage, temporary exhibitions linked to current issues and educational activities for schools”, but aims to add exhibitions of contemporary art, touring events and performances, and an educational programme outside its current location.
The transformation, which is already under way, is “an opportunity for the institute to reinvent its role within society, focused on the key themes of openness, dialogue and education,” the museum said.
Originating on the initiative of Baron Georges Schneck, the Jewish Museum first opened its doors in 1990 on Rue Stalingrad in the centre of Brussels, then in 2002 at its current location on Rue des Minimes, in the Sablon district.
The renovated building will be one complete museum space, intended for both permanent collections and temporary exhibitions, according to the museum.
The building in which it is currently housed dates back to 1901 and is no longer suitable for this purpose because “the spaces are cramped and passage is difficult, especially for people with limited mobility, and the building does not meet the standards related to the preservation of cultural property and heritage, nor the requirements around sustainable development”.
Major changes include the creation of a new space, the Belvedere, on top of the current building, and the renovated site will also have a 360m² multipurpose hall intended for conferences, concerts and receptions.
An international tender for the renovation was launched in 2018, with 28 architectural firms responding and three winners chosen: Tab Architects from Ghent, Barozzi Veiga from Barcelona and Barbara Van der Wee Architects from Brussels.
Monday 30 September will be the last day the museum is open before it closes for the long renovation.
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