Brussels is set to redefine its cultural landscape with the grand reopening of the Kanal-Centre Pompidou. This monumental project, transforming a historic Citroën factory, promises to be a beacon for modern and contemporary art and architecture in Europe. The revamped complex, a collaborative effort with Paris' Centre Pompidou, will house an extensive collection of artworks and offer a vibrant public space, fostering a new chapter in the city's artistic narrative. Its reopening in November 2026 marks a significant milestone, establishing Brussels as a major cultural hub.
The Kanal-Centre Pompidou is not merely an exhibition space but a comprehensive cultural destination designed to engage a diverse audience. Its thoughtful layout, rich programming, and architectural brilliance are poised to make it a landmark institution, celebrating both established masters and emerging talents while serving as a dynamic center for community and artistic exchange.
Brussels Embraces Modern Art: The Kanal-Centre Pompidou Transformation
Brussels is on the cusp of a cultural renaissance with the impending relaunch of the Kanal-Centre Pompidou. This ambitious project, slated to open its doors on November 28, 2026, involves the comprehensive transformation of a former Citroën factory into what is being hailed as Europe's largest new museum. This institution will be the first in Brussels fully dedicated to modern and contemporary art and architecture. The inaugural exhibitions are a testament to a significant collaboration with Paris' renowned Centre Pompidou, showcasing a curated selection of over 350 artworks primarily from the Pompidou's vast collection, supplemented by pieces from Kanal and other Belgian and international art institutions.
The expansive industrial building, strategically located along the Brussels canal, encompasses 40,000 square meters. Under its vast roof, the museum and public cultural space will feature five floors of exhibition galleries, dedicated areas for performance and film, workshops, and community spaces. Visitors can also enjoy various amenities, including cafes, shops, a rooftop restaurant and bar offering panoramic city views, and even an in-house bakery. Large circulation areas will remain accessible to the public, even without a museum ticket, encouraging broader community engagement. The architectural redesign of the former factory is a collaborative masterpiece led by Atelier Kanal, a consortium comprising Swiss architects EM2N, Brussels-based noAarchitecten, and London's Sergison Bates architects, ensuring a harmonious blend of industrial heritage and contemporary design.
A Synergistic Vision: Exhibitions and Community Engagement
The relaunch of the Kanal-Centre Pompidou signifies a pivotal long-term partnership between the two institutions, aimed at consistently enriching Brussels' art scene with international works. The opening exhibitions on November 28, 2026, will present an impressive array of art, featuring masterpieces by 20th-century luminaries such as Henri Matisse, Sonia Delaunay, Alberto Giacometti, and Wifredo Lam, alongside contemporary artists deeply connected to Brussels and the global art world. Furthermore, the Kanal-Centre Pompidou complex will become the new permanent home for the CIVA collection, Brussels' significant archive dedicated to architecture, landscape design, and urban planning, further solidifying its role as a key cultural repository.
The reopening will inaugurate multiple simultaneous exhibitions, with notable highlights including "An Infinite Woman," an exploration of colonial imagery and its reinterpretation, and solo and commissioned works by artists like Joëlle Tuerlinckx, Manon de Boer (in collaboration with Latifa Laâbissi and Laszlo Umbreit), Joshua Serafin, Banu Cennetoğlu, and Otobong Nkanga. Group projects such as "Département des Pièges" curated by Clémentine Deliss and "NO SHOW" by Deborah Bowmann and Maoupa Mazzocchè, along with contributions from Guillaume Bijl, Kasper Bosmans, Laurent Dupont, Aline Bouvy, Pélagie Gbaguidi, Valérie Mannaerts, and Miao Miao, will also be featured. Additionally, the program includes "A Truly Immense Journey" with works by Lygia Clark, Sonia Delaunay, Natalia Goncharova, and Pablo Picasso, among others, and a community print room by WERKER Collective. A unique indoor playground, designed by the Turner Prize-winning British collective Assemble, will span 700 square meters within the renovated architecture, offering an immersive installation of hills, volcanoes, and distant planets, making the complex a destination for all ages.