Antwerp has appointed Lien Van de Kelder as the new Alderman of Culture, Works, Equal Opportunities, and Development Cooperation, marking the beginning of her six-year tenure aimed at revitalizing the city's cultural scene. Van de Kelder expressed her joy and enthusiasm upon receiving the role, stating, "Ik ben uiteraard heel blij, dat zal je niet verbazen" (I am obviously very happy, you won’t be surprised).
During her campaign, it was evident she was passionate about securing this position, and now she seeks to create what she calls, "een heel goed ecosysteem voor stakeholders in die sector" (a very good ecosystem for stakeholders in the sector). Her approach aims to support Antwerp's rich cultural heritage and bolster the local arts scene.
"Af en toe zullen ze tegen de schenen schoppen, dat hoort erbij" (From time to time, they will kick against the shins, that's part of it), she said, indicating her willingness to engage with both the culture sector and the residents of Antwerp critically. It acknowledges the tension observed between the city and cultural stakeholders, highlighting her intent to navigate these dynamics effectively.
The new Alderman aims to establish strong horizontal lines of communication across various departments, believing it is key to enhancing cooperation. She noted, "Horizontale lijnen, over bevoegdheden heen" (Horizontal lines, across authorities), emphasizing the collaborative nature of her strategy.
Reflecting on the recent past, where there has been some distrust between the city and cultural players, Van de Kelder believes the framework set forth is promising. She referred to it as "een constructieve en vertrouwenwekkende basis denk ik" (a constructive and confidence-building basis, I think), hoping to rebuild trust and facilitate more open lines of dialogue.
With her background as both actress and lawyer, her dual expertise positions her uniquely for this role. Van de Kelder made her mark on stage from a young age but has also immersed herself deeply within legal structures, advising on intellectual property issues. This underlines her comprehensive approach—merging culture and legal know-how for the benefit of Antwerp.
Her previous experience with the city as the network coordinator for museums and heritage from 2023 has equipped her with insight and awareness of the challenges faced by cultural institutions. She is set on ensuring the talented artists and cultural organizations of Antwerp can thrive. Her plans include facilitating access to the arts and making cultural experiences more broadly available.
Antwerp's Mayor Bart De Wever expressed confidence in Van de Kelder's capabilities, underscoring the importance of cultural vitality for the city's identity. The newly formed government sees Van de Kelder's role as pivotal to addressing both the aspirations of the cultural community and the needs of citizens.
Van de Kelder's vision boils down to providing support and fostering creativity, so whether it’s assisting local artists or ensuring vibrant programming throughout the city, she intends to be hands-on. "Ik hoop dat we de Antwerpenaar een fijne zes jaar kunnen bezorgen" (I hope we can provide Antwerp residents with six enjoyable years) she asserted.
Under her leadership, Antwerp looks forward to enhancing its cultural fabric. The combination of her experience and her stated commitment to collaboration hints at promising developments for the city's cultural future. With aspirations rooted firmly within both community involvement and cultural recognition, this new agenda indicates exciting new directions for Antwerp's arts scene.
Individuals involved within the cultural sector are watching closely to see how her policies will roll out and whether they will lead to the anticipated rejuvenation of the cultural ecosystem. Although the road may have challenges, optimism is high as Van de Kelder embarks on this significant chapter for Antwerp.
