The museum building formerly housed the Bellevue brewery, which was operational in the early 20th century.
The interior retains original industrial features such as cast-iron columns and high ceilings from its industrial past.
The museum concept was founded by Philippe Decelle, Alice van den Abeele, and Raphaël Cruyt.
MIMA emphasizes the aesthetic links between visual art, graphic design, and the digital evolution of youth culture.
The location was specifically chosen to bridge the gap between different neighborhoods in Brussels via the canal artery.
The MIMA (Millennium Iconoclast Museum of Art) is located in a former Belle Époque brewery along the Brussels-Charleroi Canal in Molenbeek. The museum specializes in 'Culture 2.0,' focusing on contemporary art movements influenced by street art, music, internet culture, and subcultures. Its four-story exhibition space is characterized by industrial architecture featuring exposed brick and large iron-framed windows. The museum frequently collaborates with international street artists for site-specific installations and large-scale murals. It maintains a rotating schedule of thematic exhibitions rather than a permanent collection. The building's historical transition from a brewery to a museum reflects the gentrification of the canal district. It serves as a hub for urban contemporary art in Brussels, distinct from the city’s more traditional fine arts institutions.
The top floor featuring large industrial windows overlooking the canal and the surrounding skyline.
Visit the museum shop for unique prints and artist-designed merchandise that are rarely found in mainstream Brussels souvenir stores.
Check the museum's official website for current exhibition themes before arriving, as the installations change entirely every few months.
Combine your visit with a walk along the canal path to see various murals located in the surrounding Molenbeek neighborhood.
Do not expect a traditional art history timeline; the museum focuses exclusively on contemporary, often provocative, street-inspired works.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
