Since its repositioning in 2016, Kunsthal Extra City has had productive years. The Kunsthal realized exciting exhibitions about urgent societal topics, gave opportunities to young artists, collaborated closely with urban partners and civil society organisations, arranged consultations with diverse groups of city dwellers about its programming, paid great attention to diversification and decolonisation, and developed an innovative project on citizenship for young adults in dialogue with education and youth policy. The consequence of these important efforts are rising visitor numbers, and enthusiastic responses from the art world and wide audiences alike.

Director Adinda Van Geystelen successfully led Kunsthal Extra City throughout these transitional years. On 20 January 2020, she will take on a new challenge as artistic director of Z33, House for Contemporary Art, Design and Architecture. The Board and the team of Kunsthal Extra City wish her and the colleagues in Hasselt all the best for their collaboration.

In the meantime, the funding cuts of the Flemish Government and the funding of the city of Antwerp were announced. The next few weeks the Board will examine, in consultation with the team of Kunsthal Extra City, in which way the organisation can continue to uphold a unique position in the Antwerp and Flemish art scene.