Yves Goldstein, the general director of the Brussels branch of the Centre Pompidou, has announced his departure just before the scheduled opening of Kanal-Centre Pompidou on November 28. Goldstein stated that his mission is nearly complete and that the museum's daily management phase requires a different leader. A call for applications will be launched by the board of directors, with the selection made by the board of the Fondation Kanal based on profiles proposed by a jury led by president Michèle Sioen. The new director will face immediate challenges, including negotiating a new management contract with the Brussels Region for 2029-2033 and securing an increased annual subsidy, currently set at €10 million, which is deemed insufficient.
This leadership change matters because it comes at a critical juncture for Kanal-Centre Pompidou, a high-profile museum project that has faced financial and political turbulence. The departure of its founding director raises questions about institutional stability and the museum's ability to secure adequate public funding. Cost-cutting measures have already been implemented, including the cancellation of a major exhibition planned for summer 2028 and potential reductions in opening hours. The outcome of budget negotiations with the Brussels government will determine whether the museum can operate as envisioned, making the appointment of a new director with strong managerial and political negotiation skills essential for the institution's future viability.