Brussels is preparing to unveil one of Europe’s most ambitious cultural projects: the KANAL-Centre Pompidou, a vast new museum of modern and contemporary art. Slated to open on 28 November 2026, the museum will be housed in the city’s former Citroën garage, an iconic industrial site along the Brussels-Charleroi Canal. When it opens, it will span an impressive 40,000 square metres, making it one of the largest museums in Europe.

But Kanal isn’t just about scale. The project is redefining what a museum can be. More than half of the building will be freely accessible to the public, designed not only for art lovers but for anyone looking for a place to read, meet friends, study, or simply enjoy the atmosphere. 

With four entrances that remain open throughout the day, Kanal is being imagined as an extension of urban life—a public space as much as a cultural institution.

Three floors

Inside, the museum will host a permanent collection spread across three floors, exploring the key themes and milestones of twentieth-century art. The curatorial vision is shaped by Kasia Redzisz, former curator at Tate Liverpool, who is ensuring a mix of internationally recognised works and local narratives. Visitors can expect to see pieces by Picasso, Giacometti, and Mondrian, alongside contemporary installations and archival materials linked to the industrial and social history of the canal zone.

Pompidou

The museum is a collaborative venture with the Centre Pompidou in Paris, which is contributing works from its prestigious collection to help establish Kanal’s identity. Alongside the permanent displays, at least seven temporary exhibitions will launch during the opening season. 

One of the museum’s wings will also be home to CIVA, Brussels’ renowned centre for architecture and design.

Cultural hub

Kanal is more than just a museum—it’s also shaping up to be a vibrant social and cultural hub. 

On the ground floor, open daily from 7 AM to midnight, visitors will find a public library, a reading room, two auditoriums, a bookshop, a museum shop, and six flexible-use rooms. 

Food lovers can look forward to four dining spots, including a bakery, a brasserie, a fine-dining restaurant, and a rooftop bar with sweeping views of the city. 

Even children are being thoughtfully considered, with a dedicated art-inspired playground in the works.

Funding

This ambitious transformation is backed by a budget of €230 million, including €192 million for construction. 

Despite political uncertainty in Brussels, most of the funding has already been secured, and over 95% of the renovation is now complete. While a few elements—like an illuminated exterior sign—have been dropped due to rising costs, the essential infrastructure and programming are in place.

Kanal’s leadership is navigating some financial challenges in the run-up to the opening, including gaps in operational subsidies and delays in public funding approval due to the caretaker status of the regional government. Nevertheless, work continues behind the scenes to finalise the collection, install climate control systems, and prepare staff for launch.

Anchored in the community

Public engagement lies at the heart of the project. Kanal is actively collaborating with local communities and schools, gathering input to help shape the museum’s identity and outreach. Even the design of the children’s playground is being informed by research into how kids interact with artistic spaces.

The museum’s curators and directors are drawing on lessons from other European institutions, especially in how museums can function as inclusive social spaces. Past projects in the United Kingdom, such as art-themed language courses for newcomers, are serving as inspiration for similar initiatives in Brussels.

Despite the scale and vision, those behind Kanal are realistic. They understand the economic pressures facing the Brussels-Capital Region and the sensitivity around public cultural spending. But they’re also determined. Kanal is now far beyond the point of no return. Its completion is seen as essential not only for the city’s cultural landscape but also for its identity on the European stage.

For travellers, art lovers, and urban explorers, Kanal-Centre Pompidou promises to be much more than a museum. It’s a bold new public space rooted in art, memory, and community—set to become a must-visit destination in Brussels from late 2026 onward.

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