Summer Course for the Study of the Arts in Flanders: Belgian Fin de siècle.

Annually, the Summer Course for the Study of the Arts in Flanders brings a select group of 15 highly qualified young researchers to Flanders. They are offered an intensive 11-day program of lectures, discussions and visits related to a specific art historical period of Flemish art. The 9th edition of the Summer Course focuses on Belgian fin de siècle.

With excursions to Ghent, Ostend, Bruges, Antwerp, Brussels and Tournai, the participants are provided with a look behind-the-scenes at core collections on Belgian art from the late nineteenth century, introduced by experienced curators. Lectures and close readings by leading and emerging scholars will contextualize these collections with attention to recent developments in the research field.

The program pays specific attention to gender, the social and political context (popular culture, urban development, world exhibitions, colonialism) and the changing visual culture and art market. The program is interdisciplinary and includes artistic focuses on painting, sculpture, drawings, prints, architecture, design, literature, photography, fashion and theater.

The language used in the Summer Course is English.

Who can apply?
Participants have a master’s degree or are PhD students, junior curators or restorers with a focus on nineteenth century art, and more specifically fin de siècle. The master’s degree was earned maximum 10 years ago.

Participation fee:
The participation fee of the Summer Course is fixed at €1400 (including VAT) per person. The fee includes the full 11-day program, 10 overnight hotel stays in a single-occupancy room, all transportation within the program, all entry tickets, coffee breaks, five lunches and five dinners. Not included in the participation fee is the transport to and from Belgium.

How to apply?
Applicants should send a resume (max. 1 A4), a short bio (max. 100 words), a motivational letter (max. 1 page), and a letter of recommendation from a faculty member or a museum professional to griet.bonnestad.gent.

The deadline for applications is 23 March 2025, 5 p.m. (CET).

Accessibility:
Please note that this is an intensive and physically strenuous course. If you have specific needs in terms of accessibility and transportation, please contact griet.bonnestad.gent. We will do everything in our possibility to make the program inclusive.

Organization and Partners:
The Summer Course for the Study of the Arts in Flanders is a joint initiative of MSK Gent, Mu.ZEE, Musea Brugge, KMSKA, M Leuven, Rubenshuis, Ghent University, KU Leuven, Flemish Art Collection and meemoo. Structural content partners for this edition are: Art & History Museum, Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium and Royal Library of Belgium.

Additional content partners for this edition include: FoMu, Hendrik Conscience Heritage Library, MoMu, Plantin-Moretus Museum, Archives of Contemporary Art in Belgium, Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tournai, LAB-AN, Horta Museum, AfricaMuseum, Archives et Musée de la Littérature, Palace of Justice Brussels, University of Antwerp, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Université de Namur, independent researchers, private collectors and art dealers.

The 9th edition of the Summer Course is coordinated by MSK Ghent (Dr. Griet Bonne, Dr. Johan De Smet) and Mu.ZEE (Dr. Stefan Huygebaert).

Preliminary program: https://vlaamsekunstcollectie.be/volumes/imported/VKC_Summer_Course_2