Hélène De Pagie

Hélène De Pagie is program maker at MAS Museum aan de Stroom in Antwerp, with a background in social work that strongly shapes her practice.

Rather than focusing on outcomes, she places importance on the process itself: building relationships, creating trust, and developing ideas together. In her role, she actively seeks opportunities to collaborate with organizations in Antwerp that work with people who have limited access to cultural institutions, whether due to fewer organizational skills or a lack of connection to museums.

She approaches the museum as a meeting place: a space where diverse voices can come together, and where those who are often underrepresented are given the opportunity to be heard and to participate. Participation, inclusion, learning, and experimentation are central to her approach.

Hélène De Pagie will be speaking at the Museums & Public Programs Summit 2026 :

Martial Arts. A solid collaboration between the MAS museum, ErfgoedLab and Antwerp sports clubs

There is often a (wide) gulf between culture lovers and sports enthousiasts. In the hyperdiverse city of Antwerp, martial arts in all its forms are widly practised. And many of these citizens are not acquainted with visiting museums, and vice versa.

We collaborated intensively with the city’s sports department, communities and clubs. In this way we enhanced the takeover of the Martial Arts exhibition from Wereldmuseum Amsterdam with images and stories that reveal the hidden world and heritage of Antwerp’s martial arts scene.

We also strengthen community connections by actively teaming up for a broad and varied public programme.