The MAS manages the largest collection of historical vessels in the country. For years, it was displayed under the shelters next to Het Steen, but after a spectacular relocation operation, the vessels found a new home at the Dry Docks site.
Flanders possesses a magnificent collection of movable cultural heritage. With the 'Masterpieces Decree', the Flemish government wants to protect these unique cultural objects. Based on the decree, a list of rare and indispensable objects was compiled. Some of them are part of the MAS collection.
The ancient glass collection is one of the hidden gems at the MAS. It's part of a valuable glass collection numbering nearly 700 objects. For the first time the subcollection of ancient glass is published in a comprehensive catalogue.
The MAS collection grows every year. We look for new acquisitions ourselves, but also receive offers in the form of a donation or an inheritance. We also invite people to contribute actively to the MAS collection through appeals.
In 2020, Antwerp Shipping Company CMB (Compagnie Maritime Belge) celebrated its 125th anniversary. An ideal occasion to reflect on Antwerp as a maritime city. How did the various shipping companies and nations develop?
Guy Rombouts and Benjamin Verdonck rearrange Jaap Kruithof
The Belgian philosopher Jaap Kruithof collected things that other people usually discard. Half of his collection is being given a new life thanks to the visual work of artists Guy Rombouts and Benjamin Verdonck.
In the multimedia project 'In many hands' twenty-five people shine their light on the Congolese collection of the city of Antwerp. They speak about an object of choice from the one hundred highlights in the exhibition.
A photography project by Heleen Peeters. She immersed herself in the horse (meat) culture around the world. The photographs raised questions: What determines the status of the horse? How is it that traditions change? And what if the same thing happened to other animals?
CLOSED | What can be heritage? What has value and what does not? A photo exhibition in the boulevard explored these questions. It showed the people behind the city's heritage. And the exhibition was complemented by online stories.
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.