What exactly do you do at M?

Trui: "As a host, my main task is to welcome visitors and make them feel welcome. But of course we do more than that: we show visitors the way, show them where the cloakroom is, give them information about the collection and the temporary exhibitions, ask if they want an audio guide, and so on. You are a point of contact. Recently, for example, a relatrive of Edgard Tytgat visited M, who spontaneously came to tell me how fantastic he thought the exhibition was. Things like that make my day."

Vilma: "When I started as a volunteer in 2015, a project to digitise thousands of prints started under the supervision of the museum staff. Each print was also placed in an acid-free and protective packaging. I carefully remove the print from their packaging using gloves and then scan them in at high resolution. Once they are in the computer, I save all data about the print, such as the title or artist. That way, all the information will end up in the museum's database."

Do you enjoy your work?

Trui: "Very much so! In M, I am constantly busy and feel that I am doing something meaningful. Also, I am now in the midst of art, which is fun and instructive. I would never have met an artist like Tytgat without this work. I also enjoy being part of a group and meet people. That is why the kitchen is such an interesting place. Everyone comes together, regardless of function: technicians, department heads, reception staff, volunteers... I feel welcome in M, and that means a lot to me."

Vilma: "Yes, definitely! The scanner usually takes its time. In the meantime, I can study the contents of the prints. For example, I recently had to scan a series of small memorial prints. On one side there are religious images and on the other side, inscriptions about a deceased person from the 18th or 19th century. These prints were of real people and tell their own story. For me, that is pure history and therefore enormously fascinating. "