Mu.ZEE Travel Guide

Mu.ZEE, whose name is an abbreviation of "Kunstmuseum aan Zee" (Art Museum at the Sea) , stands as a prominent art museum in Ostend, Belgium, specializing in Belgian art from 1830 to the present day. The museum was formed in 2008 through the fusion of the former Provinciaal Museum voor Moderne Kunst (PMMK) and the Museum voor Schone Kunsten Oostende.The museum's collection includes approximately 8,000 works , featuring paintings, drawings, and etchings. Key artists represented include James Ensor, Constant Permeke, and Léon Spilliaert, all of whom had strong ties to Ostend. The collection also includes works by Georges Vantongerloo, Roger Raveel, Raoul De Keyser, and many others.The museum is housed in a modernist building designed in 1947 by architect Gaston Eysselinck. Originally a department store , the building was adapted to house the museum in 1986.Mu.ZEE aims to provide an accessible and engaging experience for visitors, connecting them with Belgian art and its broader cultural context. The museum actively collects and exhibits works by contemporary artists, ensuring the collection remains dynamic and relevant.