Most of Antwerp Art's members reside within the boundaries of the city of Antwerp. Yet we have a number of galleries and institutions located outside of town, all the way into the further corners of the province of Antwerp. With this article, we would like to highlight these spaces and focus on how to get there easily, as these are certainly not to be overlooked.

Open for the public since 2017, the Kanaal site houses multiple gallery spaces and permanent installations by artists James Turrell, Tatsuo Miyajima and Anish Kapoor, making Axel Vervoordt Gallery a true haven for contemporary art. The site itself is also a sight to behold, as multiple architectural teams - Bogdan & Van Broeck, Coussée & Goris and Stéphane Beel - led by Dick Vervoordt worked on repurposing the old distillery and malting complex. You could easily spend an entire afternoon here. To top it off, visiting Axel Vervoordt Gallery is entirely free.

Starting from Antwerp Central Station:
How to get there with public transport (45 minutes)
How to get there by car (25 minutes)
How to get there by bike (35 minutes)

Galerie TRANSIT was originally founded in 1988 in Leuven and afterwards, in 1998, moved into a beautiful 1930's Art Deco building in Mechelen, where it still resides. In the house itself are permanently installed pieces from artists who participated in past exhibitions, while in the gallery in the back, TRANSIT hosts new shows every other month.

Starting from Antwerp Central Station:
How to get there with public transport (28 minutes)
How to get there by car (35 minutes)

As of October 2019, KETELEER | BREMDONCK, the second space of KETELEER Gallery was inaugurated, standing in between the trees of the Peersbos forest in Brasschaat. The building used to be an old 14th century farmhouse, now completely renovated and saved from ruin, serving as a history-laden backdrop for site complementary exhibitions, while its surrounding nature offers the opportunity to explore an ever evolving sculpture garden. After visiting the gallery, take a relaxing stroll in the Peersbos.

Starting from Antwerp Central Station:
How to get there with public transport (40 minutes)
How to get there by car (30 minutes)
How to get there by bike (30 minutes)

De Garage is a space for contemporary art and part of the Cultural Center of Mechelen, as well as Museum Hof Van Buysleyden since 2020. It's a sanctuary for both established and younger artists, with humankind as a central theme and offering room for artists to experiment. As De Garage boasts a large vitrine space, the institute radiates something special if you visit when the sun has already set.

Starting from Antwerp Central Station:
How to get there with public transport (33 minutes)
How to get there by car (35 minutes)

De Warande is one of Flanders' first Cultural Centers, located in Turnhout, and focuses heavily on solo presentations of upcoming Flemish artists. Firmly convinced as an institute that art can make the world a better place, you'll be welcomed with open arms in their impressive, renovated building.

Starting from Antwerp Central Station:
How to get there with public transport (57 minutes)
How to get there by car (44 minutes)

Frans Masereel Centrum, founded in the early 1970's by Fons Mertens, is a residency place with a large focus on printmaking, named after one of the more famous Belgian artists of the 20th century, Frans Masereel. Frans Masereel Centrum is definitely one of the more stimulating environments for contemporary artists, curators and also writers and researchers. It's located in a wooded rural area and houses a unique circular print studio in its main building, designed by architect Lou Jansen. In 2019, a new wing was added for their archive collection and to expand with a digital studio. The recent expansion was designed by Hideyuki Nakayama and Ido Avissar of the Paris agency LIST. Apart from regularly organizing exhibitions, FMC also offers guided tours, check out their website for more information.

Starting from Antwerp Central Station:
How to get there with public transport (1h 19 minutes)
How to get there by car (45 minutes)

All of these places are eligible for visits and easy to reach with either public transport or car. So don't hesitate and go have a look. Be it for their quality exhibitions or splendid architecture, both are very well worth it. Visit antwerpart.be for a full overview of their program, as well as the program of our other members.