Stadim hopes that KMSKA will become the premier experiential centre for art in Antwerp and Belgium

“We are not major art experts, but we are art lovers, and as proud Antwerp residents who experienced the excitement of the renovation and the upcoming reopening, we could not help but get involved.” Additionally, there was another perfect moment. Managing partner Nicolas Janssens of the real estate advisory firm Stadim explains the how and why of their partnership with KMSKA.

Why do you consider it important to engage in this kind of partnership? 

Nicolas Janssens: “As a company, you have a societal role to play in this area. We currently have two initiatives: one in the social sector and one in the cultural sector. Our partnership with KMSKA fits perfectly. The timing is right, as we celebrate 25 years of Stadim and my father passes the company on to the next generation. The celebration of old and new could not be symbolized more beautifully than through our support of this museum, with its stunning new section inserted like a box into the magnificent old building. It also aligns with the values and principles we hold dear: accessibility, reliability, tradition and innovation, quality, and continuity.”  

Why did you choose KMSKA?

“As a proud Antwerp resident, when you talk about cultural sponsorship, and you’ve experienced the excitement of the renovations and the upcoming reopening, you can’t help but get involved, in my view. KMSKA is there for everyone. Museums and culture may have once felt somewhat elevated, but today the focus is on accessibility and reaching a broad audience. The mix of quality and artworks appeals to us enormously. Walking under one roof from Peter Paul Rubens and Jacob Jordaens to James Ensor and Rik Wouters: a truly wow experience!

We celebrated our anniversary in the museum, with presentations, videos, ballet dancers, and altogether 400 employees and clients. Many attendees loved getting a preview of something that only opens to the general public in September. We received a lot of impactful feedback from our clients. As an SME, we stepped a bit out of our comfort zone, but it gave us an incredible boost. The excitement still resonates, with our employees and perhaps most of all with my father.” 

What is your favourite work from the collection?

“The elegant and slightly mysterious Embarkation at Calais by the Franco-British painter James Tissot fascinates me greatly. A graceful lady steps off a ship into a rugged, masculine environment, and you immediately notice her strong character. It’s beautiful to see how this self-assured woman rises above the masculine bustle. Such a strong profile is always welcome at Stadim, although I’m already flanked by many strong women within our organization.”

What is your company most looking foward to during this partnership?

“I hope that KMSKA becomes the premier experiential centre for art in Antwerp and Belgium, and gains recognition throughout Europe. I would like to visit it regularly with our hardworking, often young colleagues to introduce them to its breathtaking beauty. I also hope we can host memorable events there and network with our clients in an original and fabulous setting. And that we will all enjoy having “our” museum back. It offers an impressive all-around experience full of culture, stories, and education, with a world-unique collection and a welcoming new dining area. All the ingredients are in place to pamper visitors and turn it into a magnificent success story!”