Permanent closing of Centrale (2006-2026)
Centrale’s team would like to extend its warmest thanks to audiences, artists, partners and service providers for their support over the past two decades.
As a contemporary art venue with national and international reach, Centrale has promoted, exhibited, supported and produced the work of many emerging and established artists since its creation. For and with its audiences, it has organised thousands of events, guided tours, workshops, performances, meetings, etc. – and welcomed hundreds of thousands of visitors to the heart of Brussels, defending the values of inclusivity and sustainability on a daily basis.
Over the years, mediation work has been carried out with all audiences, both individuals and groups: associations, teachers, nursery, primary and secondary school pupils, higher education students, etc.
As an incubator for emerging visual arts in Brussels, Centrale has been a springboard for many visual artists through its programming, calls for projects and applications, and multiple partnerships.
Centrale is all about long-term partnerships: award ceremonies (Art Contest, Médiatine, Carte de Visite, Ceramic Brussels, ARBA-esa); co-productions; collaboration with the Care Master’s programme at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels; the Brussels Videonline Festival with Brussels art schools promoting the work of their alumni; support for Pass à l’acte, a co-creation project with various schools in the capital.
Behind Centrale is a network of professionals who implement the projects.
A team of 20 people but also hundreds of artists who produce and exhibit, perform or lead workshops; it is guest curators, guides, and a wide range of professions: exhibition set-up and dismantling, lighting and sound technicians, press agency, translation, photography, graphic design, conservation and restoration of works of art, publishing, printing, poster display, transport, insurance, accounting, catering, and many other collaborations.
In a nutshell, Centrale has served as a committed and deeply humanistic project for artists, audiences and society as a whole for the last 20 years.
‘Brussels’ contemporary art space Centrale will close its doors in February, the city has announced. Located in a former power station in Place Sainte-Catherine, Centrale was preparing to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2026 with an ambitious programme. It recently underwent major renovation during a six-month temporary period of closure.’ – The Bulletin, December 2025
