The regional face of the Erfgoedfabriek. Collection management in the Bruges–Middenkust region
Impatient. That’s what they look like: the brand-new racks in the equally new heritage depot in Bruges. Standing empty, eager to receive collection items on their pristine shelves. On 5 July 2023, the Erfgoedfabriek was officially opened, and the first objects found their place. In their wake, thousands more objects will follow from the collections of Musea Brugge, Raakvlak, the Bruges Costume Workshop and, last but not least, the Bruges–Middenkust region.
Collections from the region
Around 35% of the depot space will eventually serve as storage for collections originating from the region. By “region” we mean the 17 municipalities of the Bruges and Middenkust administrative districts. The Province of West Flanders supported the construction of the depot financially, enabling the City of Bruges to take on an important role in safeguarding heritage from the region.
Who qualifies?
35% of the total depot space is a lot, but still far from enough to store all the heritage from all 17 municipalities. That isn't the intention, anyway. Heritage is best preserved on site, in situ. However, some collections require extra storage space or more suitable preservation conditions. This is where the Erfgoedfabriek comes into the picture. This obliges us to make some crucial choices: Which regional collections can be stored in the depot, and which cannot? What are the acceptance criteria? What are the costs? What corresponding services are provided? Should collections be stored permanently, or can it also be for shorter periods in emergencies? These are the questions that Musea Brugge, together with Erfgoedcel Bruges and Erfgoedcel Kusterfgoed , aims to answer. Within the three-year cultural heritage project “Towards a regional collection and depot operation in the Bruges–Middenkust region”, we are appointing a project staff member to map out the movable heritage collections and the collection and depot needs of the region.
Learning network
But it’s about more than simply ‘allocating’ square metres. Space is limited, the sharing of knowledge and expertise far less so. The Erfgoedfabriek will therefore play a crucial role in caring for regional collections. It will become a beacon, a beating heart. After the project ends, the depot coordinator of the Erfgoedfabriek will continue to provide consultancy on collection management together with the initiating Erfgoedcels. The project also creates a learning network in which owners and managers of heritage collections – including those outside the Erfgoedfabriek – can collaborate, exchange knowledge, and advise one another.
In 2023-2024, project staff members Pieter De Ketelaere and Ellen Soenens scoured the working area to map out the collections and their needs. They received support from both core partners (Erfgoedcellen Brugge and Kusterfgoed, Musea Brugge and Raakvlak) and expertise partners (FARO, the West Flemish Heritage Cells, and Heritage Depots Potyze and Trezoor), who were involved in the project. They also coordinated with colleagues from the Kempen heritage cells, who were carrying out a similar exercise with the 'Kempen Collection Mapping' project. Towards a regional collection and repository operation, because together we are stronger!
Would you like to stay informed about the project?
- View the project page on the Erfgoedcel Brugge website.
- Attend the closing seminar at BRUSK on 21 May 2026. Email project assistant Ellen Soenens (ellen.soenens@brugge.be ) if you would like to receive an invitation.
- Subscribe to the Erfgoedcel Brugge or Kusterfgoed newsletter. There you will find the most up-to-date information about this project.
