S.M.A.K., the Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst, is where Ghent keeps its modern and contemporary art, and it is a good contrast to the old masters elsewhere in the city. The museum stands in the Citadel Park next to MSK, in a converted casino building, and it shows work from the 1950s to the present day, with a collection that includes conceptual art, painting, sculpture, installation and video, much of it by Belgian and international artists. Exhibitions change through the year, and the museum often shows work that is playful, political or surprising. A visit suits anyone who enjoys current art, and it is a good choice for a rainy day when the park is damp, since the galleries are bright and varied. The museum is closed on Mondays and open late on the first Thursday of the month, and it is usually quieter than the more famous attractions in the centre.
The museum was founded in 1975 and has been a leading venue for contemporary art in Flanders ever since. Its collection and its changing shows give a picture of art since the second half of the twentieth century, and the programme often connects with the Ghent art scene and with international exhibitions. The building is a former casino converted for galleries and the museum has a shop and a cafe.
Because shows change, the experience depends on the exhibition, so check the museum's site for what is on. Weekday opening is from half past nine to half past five, and weekends, public holidays and school holidays are from ten to six. The museum is closed on Mondays. On the first Thursday of each month it stays open until ten in the evening, and on that night Ghent residents are free. The online ticket service goes offline during the changeover between exhibitions, normally in the second half of September, so buy at the ticket desk then.
Prices are higher than at the city museum, with discounts for young people, groups and Ghent residents, and visitors up to eighteen go free. The CityCard Gent and the Museum Pass also give free entry. The museum is a short walk from MSK, so the two make a natural pair on a southern day: old masters and the altarpiece in the morning, contemporary art in the afternoon, and a walk through the Citadel Park between them. Allow about two hours.
What to expect
The experience
A self-guided visit to changing exhibitions and the collection of postwar and contemporary art, with a shop and a cafe.
Best time
A weekday morning for quiet galleries, or the first Thursday of the month for the late opening.
How long
About two hours.
Tips
Check which exhibitions are on, avoid Mondays when it is closed and buy at the desk if the online ticket service is down during changeovers.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Visitors who like contemporary art and want something different from medieval Ghent.
- Families
- Best for older children and teenagers, since the work can be challenging.
- Couples
- A good rainy afternoon, followed by a coffee in the park.
- Pair with
- MSK next door and a stroll through the Citadel Park.
- Time needed
- Two hours.
Good questions
When is S.M.A.K. open?+
On Tuesday to Friday from half past nine to half past five, and on weekends and holidays from ten to six. It is closed on Mondays and stays open late on the first Thursday of the month.
What does it show?+
Contemporary and postwar art, including painting, sculpture, installation and video, in changing exhibitions and a permanent collection.
Is it close to MSK?+
Yes, the two museums face each other across the Citadel Park, a few minutes apart on foot. They make a good pair for a day of art.
Is it free on any day?+
Visitors up to eighteen are free, and so are CityCard Gent and Museum Pass holders. Ghent residents get free entry on late Thursdays and the first Sunday of the month.
Can I buy tickets online?+
Yes, through the museum's site, though the online service is offline during exhibition changeovers. Tickets are then sold at the desk.
