Radio Bart
 

Dive deeper into a work of art with Radio Bart. The Radio Bart hosts love art and are blind. But that doesn't stop them in their quest for meaningful conversations. In this way, they help visitors look differently and see more.

Radio Bart starts with Bart Van Peer. Bart has been an employee of the KMSKA since 1992. He used to work as a front-desk receptionist. Although Bart gradually lost his sight, he remained active, for example as a presenter for a local radio station or organiser of poetry evenings at a bookshop. In digital times, however, the function of receptionist was no longer that straightforward.

The KMSKA matched Bart's many talents to the museum's ambitions to amaze, enrich and connect. This is how 'Look differently and see more, with Radio Bart' came into being.

While Bart was already working with Radio Bart at the reopening of the KMSKA, the museum is working on making the project sustainable. Meanwhile, Youssri Mejdoubi, Ditmar Goes, Lesley De Ceulaer joined the Radio Bart team as new blind or visually impaired hosts.

The hosts take their seats in a mobile studio in a museum hall. Anyone who wants can sit next to them for a dialogue about a work of art. Prior knowledge is not required. The host is especially curious: they ask for a description of the work, what visitors see and notice, whether the artist wants to tell something. They ask questions such as: "Does this work evoke memories for you?" or "If you could step into the work yourself, what place would you want to be in, or who would you want to be?" This makes for fascinating conversation.

Research shows that, on average, people spend only a few seconds in front of a work of art. To "look differently and see more" is to take the time to really take in a work of art. Visitors notice details they didn't see before. Engaging in conversation with someone who cannot see the work causes the visitor to look differently. Meanwhile, the host lets his imagination work. The conversation becomes a win-win for the visitor and the host.

The mobile studio has been designed by the ONBETAALBAAR collective with financial support from the King Baudouin Foundation. Radio Bart's ambassador is Hans Bourlon, entrepreneur and CEO of Studio 100.