Bruno Verbergt

Background

About Bruno Verbergt

First Director General at Belspo (Belgian Federal Science Policy) for "Public & Collection", coordinating public services, collection management and infrastructure policy for all Belgian federal museums. Former Director General of the largest hidden gem in the Belgian museum and scientific field, the Royal Museums of Art and History, aka Musée du Cinquantenaire/Jubelparkmuseum, the Music Instrument Museum and the Halle Gate Museum. Former head of museum and public services of the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren (Belgium), managing the re-opening in 2018 with a complete new permanent exhibition set up. Founder of TouchTime (studio for developments in hybrid enterprises) & (probably not a gallery). TouchTime is a Belgian based cooperative organisation active as producer, consultant and policy advisor for arts and culture. It is a 'completely different yet also logical' succession of ten years of experience as Chief Executive Officer of a 1200 FTE local government Culture, Sports, Youth and Education Department: responsible for the management of 8 museums, 14 cultural centres, 17 public libraries, and some 30 swimming pools and sports facilities, for youth & child care services and for the education policy team; also head of administration and control of subsidies and grants to arts institutions, cultural organisations, sport clubs and youth organizations. Associate professor in general and strategic management, lecturing at the cultural management master program of the faculty of applied economics of the University of Antwerp, including the supervision of ca. 8 master thesis yearly. Special focus on factors of competitive advantage in non-profit arts organizations, on culture and the experience economy and on the foundations and success factors of higher management education. Background in performing arts (esp. contemporary dance) and in producing festivals and exhibitions with participation of several international artists. Producer of cultural events in Antwerp such as Van Dyck Mode2001 Landed Geland, Rubens 2004, Antwerp World Book Capital 2004 and the summerfestival Zomer van Antwerpen (1998-2004). Specialties: general management strategic management government administration local governments policy development arts management museology & museum management management of decolonisation in museums