Velvet Room Ghent Joins the European Outsider Art Association

Velvet Room, a pioneering art space in Ghent with a distinct focus on marginalised and visionary artistic voices, has officially become a member of the European Outsider Art Association (EOAA). This affiliation marks a significant step in the venue’s continued efforts to amplify underrepresented art practices and foster international collaboration in the field of outsider art.

Founded in August 2009 during its inaugural general assembly at Museum Dr. Guislain in Belgium, the EOAA was established as the first European network dedicated to outsider art. The association emerged from a shared commitment to strengthen the position of artists operating outside the traditional art world by improving intercultural cooperation and dialogue across European borders.

Velvet Room’s membership reinforces this mission. Since its inception, the Ghent-based space has positioned itself as a platform for artistic expression that challenges norms, celebrates individuality, and questions institutional hierarchies. From showcasing self-taught artists to curating rare archival material, Velvet Room has consistently created space for voices that resist easy categorisation.

By joining the EOAA, Velvet Room aligns itself with an umbrella organisation that brings together cultural workers, curators, and institutions devoted to the promotion of marginalised art throughout Europe. The association's core objectives include creating an environment conducive to sharing expertise, exchanging good practices, and developing transnational partnerships. It also seeks to influence cultural policy, protect the rights of outsider artists, and promote dialogue around the evolving history and relevance of outsider art in contemporary society.

“Joining the EOAA is a natural extension of our mission,” said Kris De Meester, curator of Velvet Room. “It allows us to further connect with like-minded institutions across Europe, share insights, and collectively advocate for the recognition and protection of artists whose work often exists outside the mainstream. We are excited to contribute to this vital community.”

As Velvet Room integrates into the EOAA network, visitors and supporters can expect increased international collaborations, knowledge exchange, and access to a broader spectrum of outsider art initiatives. The partnership also reflects Ghent’s growing relevance as a hub for alternative and critical art practices.

In a cultural landscape that often marginalises unconventional creativity, Velvet Room’s inclusion in the European Outsider Art Association is a reaffirmation of its commitment to keeping outsider art visible, valued, and vitally connected across borders.

For more information about the European Outsider Art Association, visit:

www.outsiderartassociation.eu