Katrien Laporte steps down as Director of Design Museum Gent
By mutual agreement, it has been decided that Katrien Laporte will step down as Director of Design Museum Gent. In the run-up to the museum’s reopening, she will focus on handover and advisory duties as outgoing director.
The museum’s reopening—featuring the new building alongside the renovation of the existing site—presents the ideal moment to step back after years of dedication to the organisation. She will leave the organisation on 1 November 2026. We would like to thank Katrien Laporte for her years of commitment to Design Museum Gent.
Pending the selection process for a new director, executive authority will be assigned from today to the project coordinator (Bieke Vermeire) and the business coordinator (Marjoleine Maes). External representation of Design Museum Gent will be handled by Bieke Vermeire from today onwards.
This change will have no impact on the preparations for the reopening, which the team and all partners are looking forward to immensely.
Design Museum Gent will reopen its doors from Saturday 3 October, with a major opening weekend. Admission to the museum will be free on 3 and 4 October, with dozens of activities planned both inside and outside the museum. Over the following week, up to and including 11 October, the celebrations will extend further into the city, with a route leading past studios and creative spaces.