Design Museum Gent reopens on Saturday 3 October after four years of renovation and the construction of a new wing. Until Sunday 11 October, the museum is also taking its programme into the city with more than 120 activities. With the reopening, the museum aims to bring design into the middle of society, working with local makers and organisations across Ghent.

The opening weekend

The celebration starts on Friday evening 2 October at 18:00 with Ghent DJs from Radio Ruit in the inner garden. Visitors can get a flash tattoo by Kraey on the spot, inspired by the collection. At 20:00, 2manydjs play live from the balcony of the new wing for the public on the Grasbrug, the Graslei and the Hooiaard.

On Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October, the museum and all exhibitions are free to visit. Workshops, curator talks, performances and music are scheduled throughout the building. On Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00, local makers present their work at 60 stalls at the Design Makersmarkt. At the same time, Studio CoPain and seven Ghent bakers serve a design brunch in the inner garden for 10 euros, without reservation.

Design Fest Gent across the city

Under the Design Fest Gent banner, the programme continues in the city until 11 October:

  • Dada Chapel distillery: monumental, hand-formed clay sculptures by Sharon Van Overmeiren.
  • BROEI: graduation work by a new generation of designers.
  • Fluvius site in Sluizeken-Tolhuis-Ham: designers work with the neighbourhood, and two bouncy castles designed by Shirley Villavicencio Pizango and Loulou João are open from 9 to 11 October; they also stand on the Korenlei on 3 and 4 October.
  • Windows of Design: 33 Ghent shops and hotels turn their shop windows into temporary exhibitions.

Why the city is doing it

The city’s announcement states that culture should not only open its doors but also step outside. The stated aim is to bring not only people to culture, but also culture to people. The museum deliberately moves into the city and works with local makers and organisations to make design accessible and to create space for meeting and experiment. According to the city, from this weekend the new exhibitions will bring visitors from home and abroad to Ghent. The activities listed here are only some of the 120 on the programme, which is published in full on the museum’s website.