Centre de la Gravure et de l'Image imprimée

About the museum

The Centre de la Gravure et de l'Image imprimée has been active since 1984 and was officially opened in 1988 in La Louvière, in the Centre area. The first building, constructed at the beginning of the 20th century, successively served as a swimming pool, a factory and small shops before being converted into a museum. From 2009 the institution was renovated and extended by about 1,000 m²; the new building received the Prix des Musées in 2013.

The collection brings together holdings of the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles, the City of La Louvière and the Centre itself. It contains some 17,000 works by more than 2,400 Belgian and foreign artists: mainly prints, but also portfolios, artists' books and posters. It documents printed art from the second half of the 20th century to the present day, from traditional engraving to digital techniques. Its strong focuses include Cobra and its legacy, women in printmaking, the print as a democratic vehicle for art, and major monographic ensembles devoted, for example, to Pierre Alechinsky or Françoise Pétrovitch.

Works are shown in rotation in the Centre's exhibitions, and sometimes outside its walls. Since 1989 the Centre has awarded the Prix de la Gravure et de l'Image imprimée every year. It also houses a documentation centre of more than 12,000 books, printmaking and typography workshops, and an education department offering tours, courses and activities for all audiences.

Highlights

• Collection of around 17,000 works by more than 2,400 Belgian and foreign artists
• Exhibitions on printed art, from traditional engraving to contemporary practices
• Printmaking and typography workshops open to the public
• Documentation centre with more than 12,000 books (by appointment)
• Prix de la Gravure et de l'Image imprimée, awarded every year since 1989

Founded

1988

Operated by

Centre de la Gravure et de l'Image imprimée de la Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles (ASBL)

Director

Christophe Veys

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Free entry on the first Sunday of the month.

Free entry also with the Museum Pass, ICOM card, AFMB, Attractions & Tourisme and Wallonia Card, for teachers accompanying a group, and for artists present in the collections or exhibited. Group visits on Mondays on request.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• 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: no information
• Audio description: no information

The museum is fully equipped for people with reduced mobility; two disabled parking spaces are on rue des Amours (contact the museum before your visit). The mediation service can welcome people with specific needs on request. Dogs are not admitted.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Kids’ birthday parties

“Family Sunday” once a month, Wednesday workshops, courses for children and teenagers, a free game trail at reception for each exhibition, “barda-jeux” with cushions, games and pencils in the rooms, and birthday parties at the museum with a workshop (booking on +32 64 27 87 21).

Getting there & parking

The centre is in the heart of La Louvière, about 40 minutes from Brussels.

Amenities & dining

• Museum shop

The Centre's publications are on sale at the reception desk. Wi-Fi is mentioned only for the hired conference room.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Corporate events

Up to 50 guests.

The spaces can host seminars, team building, meetings and receptions. The conference room seats 20 to 25 around a table or 40 to 50 in rows, with projector, screen and Wi-Fi. The printmaking workshop can also be hired by independent artists.

Plan your visit