In order to build the prestigious Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) on Het Eilandje, the town of Antwerp needed to raise money through private sponsors. These potential sponsors were made up of companies as well as the public. The one condition was the minimum sponsorship amount was one thousand euros. By way of thanks, sponsors received a hand. An Antwerp hand in aluminium that represented the meetings of all types of people in the harbour and the harbour town, and it also represented their helping hand of course. This is why each aluminium hand will shine on the outer walls of the MAS forever.

This type of artistic, cultural initiative has to be communicated in style of course. 3,000 big, renowned Antwerp companies received an exclusive black box with a letter from the mayor, a chic brochure, four postcards to position the museum at the same level as a few other Antwerp monuments and quotes from four convinced sponsors. (Sponsors who gave more than 5,000 euros received another reward in the form of an aluminium hand set in plexiglas to put on their desk.) A great hit from Forest&Bold with a response rate of over 30%. Enough to ensure that the last finishing touches for this museum will be added by 2011.

Are there any other helping hands around for the MAS? Call 03/218 77 61.