Brussels Art Museum Faces Budget Crisis

Construction on Brussels' new contemporary art museum, Kanal, is nearing completion, with the opening set for November 28, 2026. Despite being 95% finished and poised to become a major cultural landmark, the project's future is jeopardized by ongoing political instability. A year and a half after regional elections, a functional government for the Brussels-Capital region remains elusive, leading to potential austerity measures that could slash Kanal's budget by more than half.

The museum, housed in a former Citroën garage, boasts 12,500 sq metres of exhibition space and aims to enhance Brussels' status as a cultural destination. This ambitious project, with a history of political challenges, seeks to fill a gap in the city's cultural landscape by collecting and showcasing contemporary art. The success of Kanal is seen as vital for creating jobs and injecting significant revenue into the local economy.

Discussions around Kanal's budget are intense, with proposals suggesting a 60% reduction in its €35 million annual operating budget. Museum director Kasia Redzisz acknowledges the need for fiscal adjustments but warns that drastic cuts could halt construction and endanger the entire project. Supporters emphasize Kanal's potential to become a landmark for Brussels, likening its importance to that of the Tate Modern or Centre Pompidou in their respective cities.