A unique open-air museum on the VUB Main Campus

The start of more art on campus

Over forty years ago, the VUB Alumni Association donated its first sculpture. 1980 marked the start of the collection of outdoor sculptures at the Humanist Sculpture Park. The goal of the Alumni Association was, first and foremost, to make the university grounds a more beautiful place. Since VUB split off from the ULB in 1969, various functional, grey buildings have been erected on the former military training grounds in Etterbeek. During those early years, little attention was paid to the development of the surrounding area. That changed with the installation of the first open-air sculpture.

Plan your visit

2022_Georges DOBBELS - Geen titel (1980)_Humanistisch Sculpturenpark_Etterbeek_VUB

Permanent sculptures

A humanist touch

The collection of open-air sculptures is still being expanded to this day on the initiative of and thanks to the expertise of Professor Emeritus Willem Elias. During his career at VUB, he strived for more art on campus. Over the years, this resulted in a university sculpture collection with a humanist touch. The artists whose works are exhibited at the Humanist Sculpture Park not only resonate as influential names in Belgian art, they are also considered genuine freethinkers. Through their art, they express principles such as freedom of inquiry, liberalism, science, democracy, friendship and compassion.

The permanent sculptures

Discover all permanent open-air sculptures, their location, and the message they convey. This overview shows the fourteen sculptures chronologically, based on their date of installation on campus, thereby forming a visual timeline of the creation of the Humanist Sculpture Park.

Plan your visit 

The Humanist Sculpture Park is open 24/7 and can be visited free of charge. 

Parking is available and the area is wheelchair-accessible. 

VUB Main Campus

Pleinlaan 2

1050 Elsene

Information about the sculptures

Each sculpture is accompanied by a QR code that gives access to an audio fragment. You can play it on your smartphone to discover the stories behind the sculptures. We recommend that you bring headphones for a more comfortable audio experience. 

Want to take a personal tour?

Request a tour from Bjorne.