The second edition of Kortrijk Art Weekend is set for the last weekend in October 2024, uniting museums, galleries, resident artists, installations, projects and pop-up shows in the quest to bring contemporary art to everyone, in perhaps unexpected places.
Over the course of 26 and 27 October, the event will hit the city in West Flanders like “a true cultural bazooka”, said Axel Ronse, Kortrijk culture councillor. 28 organisations that showcase art are coming together under the weekend’s umbrella to host temporary exhibitions, give lectures, welcome performances and offer guided tours, alongside their own regular programmes.
Relaxed settings and an open experience
Among the attractions, the best of the interior design program at LUCA School of Arts, and, based at 4 Guido Gezellestraat, Arts Collectors Anonymous allows people to engage with art from the private collections of several art enthusiasts “outside the formal or even intimidating setting of galleries and museums. Recognizing that many still feel hesitant to enter these traditional spaces, the platform bridges this gap by presenting art in more relaxed settings and fostering an open experience. Art Collectors Anonymous underscores the joy of discovery, allowing people to explore contemporary works on their own terms,” the event website says.
From churches to former stonemason workshops and weaving factories, and from ceramics to textiles, this year’s Art Weekend will draw on a variety of different venues, as well as a range of organisations and approaches to ensure there’s something to appeal to all comers.
“I am extremely happy that I have been able to unite all associations that bring visual arts under the same flag,” Ronse said, adding that the weekend has “a powerful momentum that draws many people to unique places in our city.”
Walking tour and interactive map
To help make the most of the two-day, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm programme, the Kortrijk Art Weekend website provides a digital map with GPS tracking, pinpointing different venues and explaining (in Dutch and English) what visitors can expect in each location.
A walking tour can guide visitors through the city centre, featuring 12 sculptures, fountains, light installations and statues. The walking map is available for free from the tourist office and the route will remain accessible after the art weekend concludes. A print copy of the map can also be picked up at participating sites.
The city also has a website where it schedules all current exhibitions and art events in Kortrijk throughout the year, and where you can find all information about what can be seen and experienced in visual art on the day of your visit.
