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Visible Storage

The city has preserved valuable objects and works of art for centuries, so the MAS collection now has about 600,000 items – too many to show and see at any one time. The MAS therefore puts a selection on display in the museum. All the other objects are kept in various storage facilities. In the Visible Storage on the second floor of the MAS, we give you a look behind the scenes. You'll find more than 180,000 collection pieces there on tall racks.

Mini exhibitions with a passion for collectors

In the windows of the Visible Storage area, the MAS displays ever-changing mini-exhibitions. It’s always worth plunging in once more and savouring all these rich and special collections.

A look behind the scenes

You can view loads of objects not on display through a glass wall. You'll see racks, cabinets and walls, all crammed with items. Pull out the drawers one by one and discover the maritime treasures of the MAS. Or be surprised by rows of garden gnomes. And touch the materials wall in the last museum space, and find out how materials are affected by 20 million fingers.

Carefully preserved

All objects are kept in optimal conditions in the Visible Storage. The climate control system ensures a constant temperature and humidity. The objects are in acid-free boxes, special containers or special packaging. Museum staff record and inspect objects and take pieces on loan in and out.

On display now

For the MAS

MAS volunteers dive into the collection

Sixteen MAS volunteers delved into the museum's collection, each choosing an object that particularly touches them personally.

Collection update

Collection news

An object leaves on a trip to another museum, another undergoes research. Or a special piece is recognised as a Flemish Masterpiece. Or our collection expands.

Collaboration

Pictures by Raoul Van Den Boom

Thousands of unique images from photographer Raoul Van Den Boom show the artistic and social life in Antwerp between 1950 and 1980. Some photographs from the immense collection are now on display, some others can be viewed digitally.

De Wondere Pluim

Stories by pupils

Together with parents and the MAS, arts organisation De Veerman organises an annual writing competition for primary school pupils called 'De Wondere Pluim'. Children get to write a story inspired by an object from our collection.

See also

Collection online

Do you want to be able to enjoy all the MAS’s objects from the past, from Antwerp and from the world at any time and in any place? Well, you can, because the MAS also has its entire collection online.

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