BPS22 – Musée d'art de la Province de Hainaut

About the museum

BPS22, short for “Bâtiment Provincial Solvay, n° 22 du boulevard Solvay”, was founded in 2000 as a space for contemporary creation, before becoming the Musée d'art de la Province de Hainaut in 2015. It established itself as a pioneer of cultural development in Charleroi.

The museum occupies a former industrial hall of about 2,500 m², built in 1911 by the architect Gabriel Devreux for the International Exhibition of Charleroi, where it housed the fine arts exhibition and an exhibition of old Walloon art. It is part of the historic campus of the Université du Travail, several buildings of which are listed by the Walloon Region.

The project rests on an exclusively temporary programme of monographic or group exhibitions, which favours art forms linked to current social issues and cultural phenomena of our time. The museum closes for at least three weeks between two exhibitions in order to install and dismantle them. It relies on participatory mediation that places human relationships at the centre. The Province of Hainaut's collection, more than 8,000 works from the late 19th to the early 21st century (painting, video, performance, installation, tapestry) and an important archive, is on deposit at BPS22; nearly 250 works can be consulted online.

Highlights

• Temporary exhibitions of contemporary art in the Grande Halle of 1911
• Province of Hainaut collection: more than 8,000 works, partly available online
• Le Petit Musée and Le Petit Salon for children
• Building recognised by Access-i for its high accessibility
• Free admission on the first Sunday of every month

Founded

2015

Operated by

Province de Hainaut

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Every first Sunday of the month, and during certain activity weekends.

Free admission for holders of the museumPASSmusées (sold at reception), Carte Prof, press card, European Disability Card, Province de Hainaut card, Passeport 365 Attractions et Tourisme (with one companion) and ICOM, AICA, FWGT and ASTRAC cards. Proof may be requested. Tickets online or on site (card, cash, Carol'Or).

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials
• Audio description: no information

BPS22 is recognised by Access-i for the high accessibility of its building: access ramp, lifts, wheelchair loan and constant staff presence. Independently accessible to wheelchair users, people who walk with difficulty, blind, deaf or hard-of-hearing visitors, and people with comprehension difficulties; occasional assistance for visually impaired visitors. Easy-to-read guides summarise the main themes of each exhibition. Five disabled parking spaces in the Campus car park.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Playground / play area

The Petit Musée presents a selection of the collection at children's eye level; behind the display walls, the Petit Salon offers a reading corner, creative activities and games for toddlers. Young visitor's guide and playful exploration booklet. Workshops, courses, short talks and mediation activities in the mobile studio; parent-child workshops from 8 months.

Getting there & parking

Bicycle racks on the Solvay esplanade; “Bienvenue vélo” label since 2025, with a repair kit and charging for electric bike batteries inside.

Amenities & dining

• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi throughout the museum. Lockers opposite reception (a €0.50 or €1 coin is refunded), obligatory for large bags.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Multipurpose spaces for meetings, training, conferences, company dinners, walking dinners and evening visits (Grande Halle, mezzanine bar, Pierre Dupont room); private hire is possible during or after opening hours (after 18:00).

Plan your visit