L|chtekooi

Despite a positive evaluation, Lichtekooi did not receive funding from the Flemish Government for 2026, putting our programme and operations under significant pressure. To bridge the coming months, we are seeking €25.000.

You can help secure the future of our organisation by supporting us through our webshop or by making a donation to Lichtekooi Artspace vzw: IBAN BE02 7390 2147 0040, BIC KREDBEBB
For more information: contact@lichtekooi.be

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The new year begins on a difficult note for Lichtekooi Artspace. Our application for operational funding for 2026 was positively evaluated but ultimately fell outside the available budget. This means that we will receive no funding to realise our programme or to remunerate our team. For a small organisation like Lichtekooi, this constitutes a direct crisis, one that could ultimately threaten our survival.

Founded in 2020, Lichtekooi has grown steadily over five years in scale, team, and artistic programme, supported by artists, audiences, and repeated encouragement from policymakers. Lichtekooi operates as a platform for artistic experimentation, research, and critical reflection outside dominant structures. We support artists in developing new practices and voices that challenge and enrich the cultural landscape. Guided by the principles of fair practice and fair pay, Lichtekooi strives to occupy a unique and valuable position within the Flemish cultural landscape – a position that is now under serious threat.

At present, project funding from the Flemish Government is the only instrument through which organisations can develop a year-long operation and grow towards structural support – a trajectory Lichtekooi was explicitly encouraged to pursue. At this moment, however, there is no intermediate option of one or two years as a stepping stone towards structural support, allowing situations like this to arise. This may lead to an increasingly rigid cultural landscape, in which little room remains for risk, research, and new voices.

We will submit a new funding application for the second half of the year. In the meantime, we are doing everything within our means to ensure that the first planned exhibition of the season – of Yemo Park –can still take place, despite these severe constraints.

To help us bridge this period, we are making a warm but urgent call for support. Help us fight for the survival of our organisation by supporting us through our webshop or by making a donation. For more information: contact@lichtekooi.be

The Lichtekooi Team

Lees de Nederlandse versie hier.

“Shop” on our Webshop and receive an invoice designed by Ian De Weerdt!

The Lichtekooi webshop is a visualisation of the ideal budget of Lichtekooi Artspace. You will find an overview of all costs associated with running an exhibition space, both overhead costs and project-related costs, ranging from toilet paper to artist fees.

Using this webshop you can support Lichtekooi by contributing to a specific cost of our operation. As proof of purchase, Lichtekooi supporters receive an invoice designed by an artist. This year the invoice is designed by Ian De Weerdt!

Check out the Lichtekooi Webshop fo Supporters 2026 here.

07.03.2026-17.05.2026

Opening: Saturday 07.03.2026 at 6pm