KMSKA challenges young visitors with interactive exhibition 'ArtFactFinders. Making the Invisible Visible'

From 28 March to 30 August 2026, the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp (KMSKA) is presenting the exhibition ArtFactFinders. Making the Invisible Visible. This interactive exhibition highlights what lies behind and beneath works of art: traces, materials and stories that are invisible to the naked eye.

With the help of UV light, microscopes and specialised scanners, visitors will be able to do their own research. No passive viewing or listening, but investigating, testing and experimenting. How do artists create their work? What happens to an image over time? And what stories are hidden beneath a layer of paint?

“With ArtFactFinders, the KMSKA is resolutely committed to making research accessible to a wide audience, especially children and teenagers. This is a first for the museum. Through playful assignments, visitors step into the shoes of our researchers,” states Luk Lemmens, chairman of KMSKA vzw. 

"The scientific research conducted at the KMSKA is constantly expanding our knowledge and expertise about our own and related collections. It also forms the basis of the museum's operations. This exceptional exhibition gives visitors an insight into how exciting and multifaceted that research is. This exhibition encourages critical analysis and thinking," says Carmen Willems, general director of KMSKA vzw. 

ArtFactFinders is based on a concept developed by the Rijksmuseum and has been given its own unique interpretation in Antwerp. The exhibition builds on the KMSKA's collection and was developed in close collaboration with no fewer than 100 pupils from primary and secondary schools in Antwerp. 

An exciting quest...

ArtFactFinders is a collaboration with Ketnet. The Ketnet wrappers will guide visitors past five works of art. Following a brief introduction, the investigation will commence. Each work is based on a clearly defined research question, with clear instructions and a philosophical thinking assignment that encourages critical reflection and active participation. The focus is on creativity and curiosity.

For example, participants will discover the life cycle of a sculpture by Auguste Rodin using UV light, analyse materials under a microscope and investigate what lies beneath the layers of paint in a work by James Ensor. A surprising number of stories appear to be hidden beneath the surface.

... for all ages

The exhibition is primarily aimed at children and youngsters but welcomes visitors of all ages.

School groups of up to 25 pupils can participate per time slot, accompanied by their teacher and divided across five interactive research stations.

In addition to the main programme, there will be a programme tailored for pre-schoolers. For teenagers and adults, there are additional in-depth assignments that approach the works from a technical and theoretical perspective.

NOTE TO THE PRESS 

• ArtFactFinders. Making the Invisible Visible runs from 28 March 2026 to 30 August 2026 at the KMSKA.
• This exhibition has been made possible thanks to the support of the Flemish government, the Rijksmuseum and the Engie Foundation.

• The exhibition is a collaboration with Ketnet and will be featured in HALLO KROKET! this coming 

  spring.

• Visual content from ArtFactFinders. Making the Invisible Visible can be found here.