Mission & Vision

Mission (Why do we exist, what do we focus on, what do we do?)

Pianofabriek is a workspace and incubator for talent in Saint-Gilles, Brussels—an open house where artists, staff, and visitors (both beginners and experienced, from diverse backgrounds) can learn from each other. They do so by meeting and collaborating to (help) organize inclusive and sustainable social and cultural activities for all ages.

Under the roof of a former piano factory, a community center, cultural and meeting infrastructure, open bar, shop with artisanal products, social enterprise, arts workspace, and Citylab come together. All of them play a pioneering role in innovative urban projects and social engagement.

Vision (What do we stand for, who do we want to be, what do we believe in?)

Pianofabriek aims to be the key reference point for cultural and artistic co-creation and talent development. Our working area is Saint-Gilles and Brussels, and we draw inspiration from all relevant social themes (poverty, ecology, education, equal opportunities, etc.) that shape this context. We integrate these into our own professional operations while also supporting our local and city-wide partners. Within the framework of our socio-cultural mission, we provide infrastructure and professional guidance. We are a hub for encounters and cross-pollination. To achieve this, we work based on equality and solidarity, striving to be a radically safe space for residents, visitors, and staff alike.

Core Values:

  • Locally rooted (strong network in Saint-Gilles and Brussels, residents, active visitors, etc.)
  • Accessible activities (low cost, few registration criteria, low-threshold)
  • Social engagement (current social issues, marginalized groups, empowerment)
  • Multilingual, with a Dutch-language focus (promotion of Dutch)
  • Community-building (connection, strengthening, participation, encounters)
  • Arts education (focus on youth and children)
  • (Socio-)cultural function (bottom-up, workspace, guidance)
  • Urban context
  • Musical or audiovisual focus (Try it loud, Play it loud, Piano, System D, etc.)
  • Sustainability (ecology, social mobility)