The Academy and Vocational School on Schoolstraat is celebrating its 250th anniversary this academic year, making it one of Belgium's oldest art academies. Today, it has departments in all sub-municipalities of Temse and in Bornem and Puurs-Sint-Amands. Year after year, hundreds of children, young people, and adults choose a creative hobby close to home.
It all began in 1776 when sculptor Philippus Nijs founded the Academy and became its first director. His name lives on today in Galerij Philippus Nijs, the school's exhibition space. Philippus Nijs lived his entire life in Temse and also served as an alderman (schepen). As an artist, he collaborated on the striking features in the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk of Temse, alongside his father Adriaan. The beautiful choir stalls, pulpit, communion rail, and some confessionals in the church are a lasting reminder of the Nijs family.
What started 250 years ago as a drawing school has grown into a contemporary academy where students learn to draw, paint, photograph, design, sculpt, and much more. It's not just about technique; it's also about developing creativity, imagination, and personal style.
Throughout the jubilee year, the Academy is opening its doors even wider. This is an ideal opportunity to view student work and get acquainted with the workshops. The program includes a start day on Saturday, November 21st, with the opening of a time capsule; a Winter Light Festival on Saturday, December 19th; the Day of the Academies on Saturday, January 30th; a lecture as part of Winterbib 2027 at the abbey of Bornem on Sunday, February 14th; an exhibition by teachers at CC Binder in Puurs-Sint-Amands on Saturday, March 6th; participation in Youth Book Month at Bib Temse on Saturday, March 20th; participation in Heritage Day at the abbey of Bornem on Sunday, April 18th; and a grand closing festival and proclamation on Sunday, June 27th. Throughout the year, students will showcase their work in various presentations and exhibitions in Temse, Bornem, and Puurs-Sint-Amands.
The Academy offers courses for all ages. For children and young people, there is the Visual Arts Workshop (ages 6-17), Medialab with digital drawing, photography, animation, and design (ages 10-17), and a Comic Drawing Workshop for teenagers (ages 12-17). From age 16, students can choose from Visual and Audiovisual Culture, Sculpture and Spatial Art, Cross-Over (combination of 2 workshops), Glass Art, Graphic Design and Illustration, Ceramics, Painting, Drawing, Textile Arts, and Photography. More information on class schedules in the various departments can be found at www.academietemse.be.
Students and teachers regularly have the opportunity to exhibit their work in Galerij Philippus Nijs and the Gemeentemuseum. These exhibitions showcase the Academy's versatility today, from drawing and paintings to photography, ceramics, and multimedia. Visitors who are not enrolled are also welcome to experience the creativity firsthand.
