Museum project

MUSEUM IN PROGRESS

March 2018 > horizon 2024

2018 sees the beginning of a significant change in the history of the Museum of Ixelles: expansion and renovation works. Henceforth, there will be major changes in activities, both in relation to those developed for the general public and those developed internally.

In spite of a period of inaccessibility, the museum will be fully occupied, devising and embarking upon an action plan, which essentially aims to accomplish the following objectives:

OBJECTIVE 1: RECONCEPTUALISING OF THE MUNICIPALITY’S MUSEUM

A period of inaccessibility is also a risky time, a period of turmoil, but also a unique opportunity that should be welcomed with open arms in order to take stock of the activities and results of the past, to think deeply, to benchmark and to ensure that solid strategic choices emerge for the restructuring which will get underway as of the reopening.
This in-depth reconceptualising of the Museum of Ixelles is about creating a solid foundation in the long term, in every aspect of its activities: management of the collections, administrative management, audience development planning, communication strategy, building management, security, conservation… A job carried out behind the scenes and vital in several respects.

OBJECTIVE 2: TRANSITIONAL ACTIVITIES DURING THE PERIOD OF INACCESSIBILITY

With an overwhelming desire to go out and meet its public, the Museum of Ixelles will continue to organise different projects and exhibitions, both inside and outside the museum.

Inside the museum:

- Stocktaking (complete inventory) of the collections and creation of a computerised database for the 12,000 works;
- Reorganisation of the collection and restructuring of the protocols of movements of works;
- Preparation of publications relating to the collections in time for the reopening;

Outside the museum:

- COLLECTION TRIP: the Museum of Ixelles collections continue to travel and as such remain accessible to the public.

- Exhibitions of Toulouse-Lautrec and Belle-Époque posters in Madrid (February-May 2018) and in Germany (on tour between summer 2018 and spring 2021);
- Travelling exhibition, BELGIAN ART. Museum of Ixelles collections in Lodève (Montpellier, summer-autumn 2019), and other European locations;
- EXPO BIS in Brussels (2019-2020): different partnerships are in preparation with museum venues in Brussels in order to make the most of the museum’s collections.

- MUSEUM TOUR

As part of the Athénée neighbourhood contract, the Museum of Ixelles is going out to meet its public, and has come up with some original projects, in collaboration with Patrimoine à roulettes and residents of the Athénée neighbourhood – see MUSEUM TOUR in the next chapter.

OBJECTIVE 3: GETTING READY FOR THE REOPENING

Currently planned for 2024, the reopening of the Museum of Ixelles will rapidly require the involvement of its team: for the implementation of modifications/projects decided upon following the reconceptualising, the creation of the new project for the museum, preparation of the reopening festivities, organisation of an inaugural programme and new practical considerations (café, shop, workshops, etc.).

ANCHORED IN A STRONG HISTORY, THE MUSEUM OF IXELLES IS BUILDING ITSELF A RADIANT FUTURE

In order to establish and develop the Museum of Ixelles’ position as one of the leading lights of Brussels and Belgian cultural life, not to mention the spread of its international reputation, the municipal authorities and the museum’s team will work to provide it with solid new foundations for the continuation of its development in the very long term in what is, in many respects, a competitive and dynamic cultural context.

Even though it is temporarily inaccessible, the Museum of Ixelles is placing its visitors at the very heart of its project more than ever before.

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