Opened in 2007, WIELS has played a decisive role in revitalising the Brussels art scene. Housed in a beautifully restored Art Deco former brewery, it has quickly established itself as one of Europe’s leading contemporary art institutions, with a renowned international residency programme and high-calibre exhibitions showcasing artists such as Wolfgang Tillmans, Marcel Broodthaers, Yayoi Kusama, Ai Weiwei and Lutz Bacher. Don’t miss its uniquely charming café set among the old copper vats or its panoramic terrace, which offers sweeping views of Brussels.
© visit.brussels - Jean-Paul Remy
The flagship venue: WIELS
Trams 82 and 97: Wiels stop; Buses 49 and 50: Wiels stop.
Other must-sees: Galila’s POC, Fondation A Stichting
Its DNA: on the rise
In recent years, contemporary art has put down roots in the Wiels district of Forest. With its echoes of Tribeca, this industrial suburb of Brussels is brimming with brilliantly repurposed derelict sites. In 2007, WIELS set the trend by moving into the Art Deco setting of the former Wielemans Breweries. Following in its footsteps, art galleries, foundations, and collectors have set up shop in the surrounding area, particularly on avenue Van Volxem.