Our story

It all began with a couple who spent a few years living in California. With the arrival of their first child, they discovered magical places dedicated to exploration, creativity, and inspiration—like the Bay Area Discovery Museum, the Exploratorium, and the Children’s Creativity Museum. These unforgettable experiences sparked a dream: once back in Brussels, they set out to create SOMA—a place (or rather a hub) for children, designed to build social connections through playful, creative, and inspiring experiences.

After searching every corner of Brussels, Matthieu & Sophie fell in love with an old industrial building, formerly a photography studio (Studio202). It took them 2.5 years to get the permits, followed by nearly 3 years of renovation—always keeping environmental sustainability at heart.

Today, SOMA is a Public Utility Foundation with a mission to awaken creativity in younger generations. Together with their team, Sophie & Matthieu pursue an inclusive vision: to make the space accessible to all children, no matter their background.

This is where our B2B approach takes on its full meaning: all revenue generated from our activities is directly reinvested into the project. These funds allow us to maintain a qualified team and to develop concrete initiatives that strengthen social inclusion.

And a fun fact: SOMA comes from SOuth of MArket, the San Francisco neighborhood where the Children’s Creativity Museum is located! A nod to California—and a name that resonates in every language spoken in multicultural Brussels. SOphie & MAtthieu… a beautiful coincidence!