In 2017, a structural partnership agreement was established between Centre Pompidou, the Brussels-Capital Region and the Kanal Foundation with a view to creating a new multidisciplinary cultural hub, Kanal, within the former Citroën garage at Place de l’Yser in Brussels—a genuine urban project designed to foster the revitalisation and renewed dynamism of the Brussels metropolitan area.

As part of this collaboration, which runs until 2031, Centre Pompidou makes works from its collection available for the presentation of semi-permanent exhibitions, as well as temporary exhibitions held twice a year. At the same time, it provides guidance and support for the acquisition strategy of the permanent collections. It also contributes its expertise in multidisciplinary cultural programming, production, architecture, mediation and audience development, publishing, and communication.

The conversion of this historic and emblematic site in the city of Brussels, covering an area of 40,000 m², was entrusted to the architectural firms noAarchitecten (Brussels), EM2N (Zurich), and Sergison Bates architects (London), selected by a jury convened under the chairmanship of the Swiss architect Roger Diener in March 2018.

Kanal-Centre Pompidou partnership

During an initial prefiguration phase, from May 5, 2018 to June 29, 2019, “Kanal brut” presented a program of exhibitions and live performances designed by Centre Pompidou in collaboration with cultural stakeholders in Brussels. It attracted 400.000 visitors.
In 2020, Kanal-Centre Pompidou entered into its second phase, with the launch of building works and the implementation of consulting services provided by Centre Pompidou on a host of topics, particularly the organisation and operating of the site, collection management and exhibition production.

A third phase was launched in 2023, including an opening program by artistic director Kasia Redzisz. The program includes Centre Pompidou collection and was designed in collaboration between the curator staffs from Paris and Brussels.

For its public opening on 28 November 2026, Kanal will present ten exhibitions, including “A Truly Immense Journey”, bringing together more than 350 works, the vast majority drawn from Centre Pompidou collection, as well as Kanal collection and numerous Belgian public and private collections. The exhibition invites visitors on a journey without a fixed destination, tracing the forces that have propelled people, ideas, and artistic practices across geographies and histories from the 1900s to the present day. Tickets for the opening weekend go on sale on 15 September.