Cities
Belgium Ghent Flemish Region Museum

SMAK - Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art

About

SMAK, the Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art in Ghent, is a dynamic cultural institution known for its bold, forward‑thinking approach to modern and contemporary art. Located in Citadelpark, opposite the Museum voor Schone Kunsten, it offers a striking contrast with its ever‑changing exhibitions and experimental spirit. The museum’s collection spans post‑war movements to cutting‑edge contemporary works, featuring pieces that challenge, provoke, and inspire. Installations, video art, large‑scale sculptures, and conceptual projects fill the galleries, creating an environment where creativity feels alive and unpredictable. SMAK is celebrated for supporting emerging artists while also showcasing influential international figures, making it a vibrant space for discovery. Its playful, sometimes confrontational atmosphere invites visitors to rethink what art can be and to engage with ideas that reflect today’s world.

Ghent Belgium
SMAK - Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art
Location

SMAK (Stedelijk Museum voor Actuele Kunst, Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art) is located in Citadelpark on Jan Hoetplein in Ghent’s museum quarter, housed in a striking converted 1930s casino building opposite the Museum voor Schone Kunsten (MSK). A short walk from Sint-Pieters station or reachable via tram from Gent-Sint-Pieters through the leafy park, it anchors the city’s green cultural hub. Nearby lie the Museum voor Schone Kunsten across the park, STAM (Ghent City Museum) and Design Museum Gent within 1 km, Abattoirs arts centre, peaceful Kruidtuin botanical gardens, and Ghent University’s vibrant student cafés, blending bold contemporary works by Appel, Warhol, and Panamarenko with easy access to Ghent’s historic core and riverside charm.

Museum voor Schone Kunsten Museum voor Schone Kunsten Museum STAM - Ghent City Museum STAM - Ghent City Museum Museum Museum of Industry Ghent Museum of Industry Ghent Museum Huis van Alijn Huis van Alijn Museum GUM - Gents Universiteitsmuseum & Plantentuin GUM - Gents Universiteitsmuseum & Plantentuin Museum Design Museum Gent Design Museum Gent Museum Museum Dr. Guislain Museum Dr. Guislain Museum Herbert Foundation Herbert Foundation Museum Flanders Expo Flanders Expo Events Venue Kunsthal Gent Kunsthal Gent Gallery Kristof De Clercq gallery Kristof De Clercq gallery Gallery TATJANA PIETERS TATJANA PIETERS Gallery Capitole Ghent Capitole Ghent Theatre NTGent NTGent Theatre Opera Ghent Opera Ghent Opera House Theater Tinnenpot Theater Tinnenpot Theatre CAMPO Nieuwpoort kunstencentrum CAMPO Nieuwpoort kunstencentrum Theatre VIERNULVIER VIERNULVIER Events Venue Gravensteen Gravensteen Castle Geeraard de Duivelsteen Geeraard de Duivelsteen Fortress Saint Bavo’s Cathedral Saint Bavo’s Cathedral Cathedral Saint Nicholas’ Church Saint Nicholas’ Church Church St James’ Church St James’ Church Church Saint Michael’s Church Saint Michael’s Church Church St Anne’s Church St Anne’s Church Church Church of St. Stefanus Church of St. Stefanus Church Church of St Anthony of Padua Church of St Anthony of Padua Church Belfry of Ghent Belfry of Ghent Historical Landmark Korenlei Korenlei Street Jacob van Artevelde Jacob van Artevelde Statue Stadshal Stadshal Historical Landmark Graffiti Street Graffiti Street Historical Landmark Saint Michael's Bridge Saint Michael's Bridge Bridge Citadelpark Citadelpark Park Monument Jan Frans Willems Monument Jan Frans Willems Monument Koning Albertpark Koning Albertpark Park Playground Blaarmeersen Playground Blaarmeersen Park Paul de Smet de Naeyer Park Paul de Smet de Naeyer Park Park Universiteit Gent - Botanical Garden Universiteit Gent - Botanical Garden Botanical Garden Wondelgemse meersen Wondelgemse meersen Park UGent Volkssterrenwacht Armand Pien UGent Volkssterrenwacht Armand Pien Observatory