Open Call Cultureghem
workspacebrussels and Cultureghem are jointly offering an artistic research residency in the public spaces of Abattoir in Anderlecht, between September and December 2026.
About Abattoir and Cultureghem
Abattoir is a unique place. Here, many social issues become tangible: from poverty and lack of space to unemployment and access to education. These issues are brought to life in the stories of all the people who work tirelessly for their neighbourhood every day. Food is in the site’s DNA. From a weekly market attracting over 100,000 visitors and a slaughter line, through vegan ready meals and miso production, to the breeding of fruit flies that power an aquaponics farm: the site offers it all.
Cultureghem vzw taps into the potential of this vibrant meeting place through projects such as Ketmet, Brussels’ largest indoor playground on Wednesdays, and Dreamkitchen, cooking together with unsold fruit and vegetables from the market and dining under the city’s most beautiful roof. Cultureghem is committed to empowering the people who live and spend time here, to expanding their networks, and to helping translate their stories to a wider audience.
About the residency
You are invited to become an integral part of the multi-layered reality of this unique site in the city. Workspacebrussels and Cultureghem are offering a small residency space on the Abattoir site: a container with a view of the market (Ropsy Chaudronstraat 24, 1070 Anderlecht). The container has heating and air conditioning and you can furnish it as you wish. Access to water and toilet facilities is nearby (not in the container); there is no Wi-Fi.
We provide remuneration equivalent to the amount for one full-time month in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for the Performing Arts, PC 304.
Who is it for?
Workspacebrussels and Cultureghem are jointly seeking an artist who is keen to engage with this unique place, and who is willing to set aside time for encounters, interaction and exchange. Eligible candidates: individual artists working in the performing arts (theatre, dance, performance, cross-overs) who are based in Belgium.
How to apply?
Please complete the application form. We ask candidates to explain why they consider a residency in the specific context of Abattoir in Anderlecht important and how they link the site’s potential to their work.
Deadline and timing
The call is open from Thursday 30 April until Sunday 31 May at 22:00. The team of workspacebrussels will select a shortlist of up to 5 projects, after which the Culture Committee of Cultureghem will choose one project.
If you are shortlisted, we will ask you to record a short video in which you talk about your project.
The selection will be announced on 1 July 2026. The residency will take place between September and December 2026, full-time for one month on a part-time basis for two months. The exact dates will be agreed in consultation with Cultureghem and the selected artist.
In 2024, Bas Vanderschoot and Anouk Friedli worked on their project Endless Stew at the Abattoir site. More recently, Anyuta Wiazemsky Snauwaert worked there on the project VerBELGingsfeest.