Vivium hopes to make a difference in society through its support of art and culture

Insurance company Vivium wants to make a difference in Belgian society through its support of certain initiatives. The KMSKA is an important one of these. Dirk Wauters, Director of the Communication Office, explains why.

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

Dirk Wauters: “Our motto is 'Zeker Van Elkaar' ('Certain of Each Other'). We aim to live up to that promise—we are not an insurer that only shows up or makes itself heard when something goes wrong. We are a cooperative: our mission is to protect people and play a sustainable role in the Belgian landscape, not to generate as much profit as possible. Strengthening the social fabric is part of that mission. That is why we support certain initiatives through which we hope to make a difference. Art and culture play an essential role in this.”

Why did you choose KMSKA?

“Als Belgische verzekeraar met zetel in Antwerpen vinden we het cruciaal om onze aanwezigheid te bekrachtigen. Vivium is hier een belangrijke werkgever en een uithangbord van onze P & V Groep. Daarnaast is maar één KMSKA. Kijk naar het machtige museumgebouw en de tuin errond. En die unieke collectie! Ook voor de overheid is dit een belangrijk project. Er zijn er geen tien in België waar zo veel middelen aan besteed worden en aandacht naar gaat. Terecht. Kunst doet veel met mensen en het nieuwe museum is een ferme troefkaart. Het zet er stevig op in om kunst toegankelijk te maken. Voor de kenners, maar evengoed voor jongeren, gezinnen en bedrijven, met aantrekkelijke trajecten en formules. Wij geloven er rotsvast in dat het KMSKA een geweldige aantrekkingspool en iconische landmark wordt voor Antwerpen en de rest van het land. Tot slot is het voor ons een ideale manier om de naam Vivium bij onze bestaande en onze potentieel nieuwe klanten nog wat bekender te maken.”

What is your favourite work from the collection?

“I choose James Ensor. The KMSKA houses the largest collection of Ensor’s works in the world. He was a true creative polymath, an entrepreneur, and a radical innovator, though heavily influenced by the French Impressionists. What’s also wonderful is the idea of Ensor as a pioneer becoming a pioneer of the KMSKA, now that he will shine in his own gallery and add an extra dimension.

Ensor’s 'The Intrigue' has always inspired me. The masks, the irony, and yet that fundamental humanism: ‘What defines humanity?’. He also made art more accessible. That carnivalesque and humorous spirit was something ordinary people recognized. In this way, he built a bridge between social classes, which at the time were separated by a huge gap. That sense of inclusion is also a core value and driving force at Vivium.”

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

“We have a strong partnership with around a thousand independent brokers across Belgium, and we look forward to welcoming them—from all corners of the country—at the museum over the next three years and offering them a unique experience. We are still exploring various types of events, such as an evening opening. I also hope for cross-pollination with other KMSKA partners, with the museum acting as a catalyst and sparking a choc des idées. Art and the art experience may once have been confined to an ivory tower, but the KMSKA’s approach shows that the museum wants to change that and make an impact on the future. I find that magnificent. Exciting times lie ahead.”